Three Policies for the Ph.D. in History [Ph.D. (History)] in the Field of Western History, Major in History

Based on the Policy on Graduation Certification and Degree Conferral (Diploma Policy) of Keio University, our goal is to cultivate individuals who have acquired specialized knowledge and research skills in the field of Western historical research, possess original research outcomes and advanced cross-cultural literacy, and can contribute to society at large as leaders. In addition, the degree of Ph.D. in History [Ph.D. (History)] is conferred upon students who have fulfilled the prescribed requirements of the curriculum.

Learning Outcome (1): After fulfilling the qualifications for writing a doctoral dissertation as stipulated for the field of Western History, the ability to write a doctoral dissertation on a topic in Western historical research or a related field, pass an examination conducted in accordance with prescribed procedures, and through that dissertation, make an original contribution to research in the relevant area and significantly contribute to the advancement of research in that field.

Learning Outcome (2): The ability to be well-versed in the latest research trends and issues in one's field of research, possess comprehensive and deep specialized knowledge, master specialized research methodologies, and disseminate research findings internationally in Japanese, as well as in English and other foreign languages highly relevant to one's research field, thereby making a unique contribution to research in that field.

Learning Outcome (3): The ability to make a unique contribution to the development of the international community as a researcher, educator, or practitioner with advanced cross-cultural literacy. This ability is based on having acquired advanced research and presentation skills, which are used to deeply understand the cultural, historical, and geographical characteristics of different cultures through foreign languages required in various specialized fields of Western History (including English); identify issues through interaction with others; and contribute to discussions and practices aimed at resolving those issues.

Learning Outcome (4): The ability to be aware of the significance of studying the humanities in society and to achieve self-set goals and solve social problems using appropriate methods.

The Field of Western History of the Major in History, Graduate School of Letters, systematically organizes the curriculum for its Doctoral Programs to cultivate the qualities and abilities set forth in the Policy on Graduation Certification and Degree Conferral (Diploma Policy). The curriculum is composed of a group of lecture and seminar courses and individual dissertation supervision centered on the designated academic advisor.

Based on this curriculum organization, instruction is provided by combining the following educational methods.

(1) To enable students to write a doctoral dissertation that makes an original contribution to research in the field of Western History, students will cultivate advanced research skills by primarily taking courses taught by their academic advisor and receiving individual dissertation supervision from their academic advisor.

(2) To cultivate the advanced research skills necessary for students to become well-versed in the latest research trends and issues in their specialized area and to make a unique contribution, small-group seminar courses that can be taken throughout the entire period of enrollment in the Ph.D. program are offered. Completion of these courses is a degree requirement. Specific guidance is also provided with the aim of having students present their research findings at academic conferences and in scholarly journals.

(3) Students are encouraged to study abroad through programs offered by the Graduate School of Letters and the Keio University International Center, among others. In addition, the Graduate School of Letters provides assistance for studying abroad through its own support systems.

(4) To allow for more flexible course registration, particularly for students considering studying abroad, all courses are offered as semester-long courses.

(5) To enable more specialized research in a student's field of study, a limited number of credits earned through formal study abroad at a graduate school overseas may be approved for inclusion in the degree requirements.

(6) To promote highly specialized research by students in the Ph.D. program, a distinguished researcher from overseas can be asked to serve as a co-advisor, allowing students to prepare their doctoral dissertation under joint supervision with their academic advisor, who is a faculty member of the Graduate School of Letters.

The assessment of learning outcomes against the goals for qualities and abilities to be acquired through the curriculum of the Western History field of the Major in History is conducted in line with the assessment plan for the entire Juku. This assessment is based on direct indicators, such as the grading criteria established for each course, as well as quantitative, qualitative, direct, and indirect indicators, including various questionnaires and surveys. Specifically, these include (1) course evaluations by students and (2) data on leaves of absence and withdrawals.

In addition, doctoral dissertations, submitted in accordance with the internal regulations of the major field, are rigorously reviewed in a public defense, primarily by a main examiner and sub-examiners. The review focuses on aspects such as sufficient study of prior research, appropriate use of primary sources based on historical research methodologies, coherence of the dissertation's argumentation, originality of the research, and academic contribution to the field.

Goal for Qualities and Abilities (1): The ability to write a doctoral dissertation on a topic in Western historical research or a related field after fulfilling the qualifications for dissertation writing as stipulated in the field of Western History; to pass the examination conducted according to prescribed procedures; and, through the dissertation, to make an original contribution to research in the relevant area and significantly contribute to the advancement of the field.

→ Students will take courses centering on specialized research seminars taught by their academic advisor. The academic advisor will also provide individual dissertation supervision to cultivate advanced research skills, problem-finding abilities, and advanced argumentation skills. In the field of Western History, students must fulfill the qualifications for writing a doctoral dissertation as stipulated by the major before submitting their dissertation.

Goal for Qualities and Abilities (2): The ability to be well-versed in the latest research trends and issues in one's field of study, possess comprehensive and deep specialized knowledge, master specialized research methodologies, and disseminate research findings internationally in Japanese, as well as in English and other foreign languages relevant to one's research field, thereby making original contributions to research in that field.

→ To cultivate the advanced research skills, problem-finding abilities, primary source analysis skills, and argumentation skills necessary to be well-versed in the latest research trends and issues in one's specialized area and to make original contributions to the academic community through specialized research, specialized research seminars are offered. These seminars are conducted in Japanese and English, as well as in other foreign and classical languages required for each specialized field of Western History. Specific guidance is provided with the aim of presenting research findings at academic conferences and in professional journals.

Goal for Qualities and Abilities (3): The ability to make original contributions to the development of the international community as a researcher, educator, or practitioner with advanced cross-cultural literacy. This is achieved by deeply understanding the cultural, historical, and geographical characteristics of different cultures through foreign languages required in various specialized fields of Western History, including English, and by acquiring advanced research and presentation skills that contribute to discussions and practices for identifying and solving problems through interaction with others.

→ To this end, students are encouraged to participate in long-term study abroad at overseas graduate schools to obtain a doctoral degree, as well as short-term study abroad to earn credits or specialized diplomas. This can be done by utilizing study abroad programs offered by the Graduate School of Letters, exchange programs through the Keio University International Center, and various other internal and external study abroad programs.

Goal for Qualities and Abilities (4): The ability to be aware of the significance of studying the humanities in society and to achieve self-set goals and solve social problems using appropriate methods.

→ To achieve this, opportunities are provided to deepen understanding of the broader field of humanities. Students can take a combination of specialized research seminars and specialized research practicums. In addition, they are able to take courses offered by other graduate schools and affiliated Research Centers and Institutes, as well as courses at other graduate schools affiliated with the Graduate School of Letters.

(1) Possesses advanced specialized knowledge in their own research area and related fields.

(2) Can independently conceive and formulate an original and concrete research plan for a doctoral dissertation, based on their specialized research in the Master's program.

(3) Possesses the analytical reading skills to read materials in various languages accurately and critically, as well as academic writing skills.

(4) Thinks proactively and concretely about their future career as a researcher, educator, or practitioner after completing the Ph.D. program.

To admit a wide range of such applicants, a selection process is conducted through a general entrance examination.

(1) General Entrance Examination

This selection is based on examinations in three subjects—specialized subjects, designated language subjects, and elective language subjects—as well as an oral examination. It requires the academic ability and critical awareness consistent with the policy described above.