Three Policies for the Field of Western History, Major in History, Master of Arts in History [M.A. (History)]

Based on the Keio University Policy on Graduation Certification and Degree Conferral (Diploma Policy), our goal is to cultivate individuals capable of contributing to society as a whole as leaders, equipped with specialized knowledge and research skills in the field of Western history research and advanced cross-cultural literacy. In addition, the Master of Arts in History [M.A. (History)] degree is conferred upon students who fulfill the prescribed requirements of the curriculum.

Goal for Qualities and Abilities (1): The ability to acquire specialized knowledge of the entire research area in the field of Western history research; to conduct specialized research using English as well as the foreign and classical languages required in each specialized field of Western history; and to present the research findings in Japanese, English, or other languages.

Goal for Qualities and Abilities (2): The ability to write a master's thesis on a topic in Western history research or a related field in Japanese, English, or another foreign language approved by the major, and to pass its examination; and additionally, to possess comprehensive and deep specialized knowledge in areas related to the thesis topic and to be able to contribute to research in those fields.

Goal for Qualities and Abilities (3): The ability to contribute to the international community as a researcher, educator, or practitioner, by possessing advanced cross-cultural literacy. This literacy is gained through the use of foreign languages required in each specialized field of Western history, including English, and enables one to understand the historical and cultural characteristics of different cultures, interact with others, identify important issues, and contribute to discussions and practices for their resolution.

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 cultivate the qualities and abilities set forth in the "Policy on Graduation Certification and Degree Conferral (Diploma Policy)," the Field of Western History (Master's Program) of the Major in History at the Graduate School of Letters systematically organizes a curriculum. This curriculum consists of lecture and seminar courses and individual thesis supervision centered on a designated academic advisor.

Under this curriculum structure, education is implemented through a combination of the following methods.

(1) In accordance with the curriculum policy of the entire Graduate School of Letters, small-group seminar courses are offered that can be taken throughout the entire period of enrollment in the master's program.

(2) To enable students to write their master's theses, they deepen their knowledge of their research topics and develop advanced research and writing skills through individual thesis supervision by their academic advisor and seminar classes. In addition, opportunities such as a mid-term master's thesis presentation session are provided, offering students the chance to receive guidance from multiple faculty members.

(3) A limited number of credits earned through formal study abroad at overseas graduate schools may be counted toward the graduation requirements. Additionally, the Graduate School of Letters provides support for study abroad through its own unique financial aid and support systems.

(4) To allow for more flexible course registration, with activities such as study abroad in mind, all courses are offered as semester-long courses.

(5) To enable interdisciplinary research, a limited number of credits from courses offered by other graduate schools and affiliated Research Centers and Institutes at Keio University, as well as from courses at other graduate schools affiliated with the Graduate School of Letters, may be counted toward graduation requirements.

The assessment of learning outcomes for the qualities and abilities to be acquired through the curriculum of the Western History field of the Major in History is conducted based on the principles of the assessment plan for the entire Juku. This assessment uses direct indicators based on the grading criteria established for each course, as well as quantitative and 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.

Furthermore, master's theses are rigorously reviewed by a committee attended by all faculty members of the major field. The review, led by a main examiner and two sub-examiners, focuses on aspects such as sufficient study of prior research, appropriate use of primary sources based on historical research methodology, coherence of the thesis's argumentation, and originality of the research.

Quality and Ability Objective (1): The ability to acquire specialized knowledge of the entire research area in the field of Western historical studies; to conduct specialized research using English as well as other foreign and classical languages required in each specialized field of Western history; and to present the results in Japanese and other languages such as English.

→ To achieve this, lecture and seminar courses covering each specialized field of Western history are offered. These courses aim to enhance proficiency in the foreign and classical languages required in each field, while cultivating the specialized knowledge, research methodologies, primary source analysis skills, critical thinking, and argumentation skills necessary to conduct research.

Quality and Ability Objective (2): The ability to write a master's thesis in Japanese or a foreign language approved by the major, such as English, on a topic in Western historical studies or a related field, and to pass its review; and furthermore, to possess comprehensive and deep specialized knowledge in the area related to the thesis topic and to be able to contribute to research in that area.

→ The designated academic advisor provides individual thesis supervision to deepen knowledge of the research topic and cultivate advanced research and writing skills. Opportunities are also provided to receive guidance from multiple faculty members, such as at the mid-term master's thesis presentation.

Quality and Ability Objective (3): The ability to contribute to the international community as a researcher, educator, or practitioner, equipped with advanced cross-cultural literacy. This literacy, acquired through foreign languages required in each specialized field of Western history, including English, enables one to understand the historical and cultural characteristics of different cultures, interact with others, recognize important issues, and contribute to discussions and practices for their resolution.

→ Students are encouraged to undertake long-term study abroad to obtain a master's degree at an overseas graduate school, or short-term study abroad to earn credits or a specialized diploma, by utilizing study abroad programs offered by the Graduate School of Letters and the Keio University International Center, as well as various other internal and external study abroad systems.

Quality and Ability Objective (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.

→ Opportunities are provided to deepen understanding of the broader field of humanities. This is achieved by allowing students to take a combination of special lecture courses, special lecture and seminar courses, and research courses, as well as courses offered by other graduate schools and affiliated Research Centers and Institutes, and courses at other graduate schools affiliated with the Graduate School of Letters.

(1) Has deepened their understanding of their specialized area and possesses foundational knowledge of the entire field of Western history, acquired through writing a graduation thesis, taking specialized courses, and other similar experiences.

(2) Is able to independently conceive and formulate a research plan for graduate school, outlining what they want to study and the methods they intend to use.

(3) Possesses the foundational foreign and classical language skills to accurately and critically read primary and secondary sources related to their research topic, and is capable of analytical reading and developing academic arguments.

(4) Possesses at least a basic proficiency in a second foreign language sufficient for reading research materials.

(5) Is actively considering their future career after completing the master's program, whether as a working professional, researcher, or educator.

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

(1) General Entrance Examination

Selection is based on examinations in three subjects—a specialized subject, a designated language, and an elective language—as well as an oral examination. This process requires academic ability and an awareness of key issues that align with the policy described above.