About the Graduate School of Humanities | 福岡大学人文科学研究科

GREETINGS

Welcome to the website of the Graduate School of Humanities.
We would like to provide a simple introduction of this graduate school.

It began from the French and English Language and Literature majors, founded in 1982. Thereafter, other majors were added: History, Japanese Language and Literature, German Language and Literature, Socio-Cultural Studies, as well as Education and Clinical Psychology, resulting in the current seven majors.
At this graduate school, specializing in researching the humanities, the goal of our education and research is gaining a deep specialized knowledge of the various fields that aim to delve into human nature, nurturing students who will contribute to society.
The focus of the master’s program, as well as the first half of the doctoral program, is in nurturing high-level experts who can put their skills to sufficient use to meet society’s needs. The goal of the second half of the doctoral program is to cultivate individuals with a broad perspective who can achieve innovative and socially beneficial research in their respective specialized fields.

Our graduate school’s faculties have an exceptionally high level of research skill, and use in-depth personal guidance to draw out the potential of each staff within their teaching methods. The office staff’s detailed help is a strength of every student’s support.
In a questionnaire to students admitted in 2023, the presence of their desired fields, as well as the teaching faculties’ skill in both education and research, were both raised as points of appeal for this graduate school. Please look through our videos, as well as messages from both current students and alumni.
We hope, from the bottom of our hearts, to have an opportunity to learn together with you, and build the future of both people and society in the wide world of the humanities.

Kumiko Murakami, Cheif of Graduate School of Humanities

Official Video Official Video of the Graduate School of Humanities

【The Appeal from Current Students' Perspectives】

【The Appeal from Alumni Perspectives】

3 POLICIES

Graduate School of Humanities

The Purpose of Cultivating Human Resources and Educational Research
Here at the Graduate School of Humanities, we consider the purpose of educational research to be nurturing personnel who can contribute to today’s international society, equipped not only with the specialist knowledge of the many fields of humanities, but also concrete theory and empirical methodology. Through this, we cultivate personnel with broad perspectives, and free, creative imaginations. In other words, this graduate school aims to cultivate creative individuals with a broad perspective and critical thinking by overviewing global trends and positioning advanced research education within it. Based on this graduate school’s philosophy, the Master’s Program and first semester of the Doctoral Program focus on nurturing intellectual human resources that can exercise sufficient skill to meet society’s demands. The objective of the second half of the doctoral program is to cultivate individuals with a broad perspective who can achieve innovative and socially beneficial research in their respective specialized fields.

The Purpose of Cultivating Human Resources and Educational Research

Here at the Graduate School of Humanities, we consider the purpose of educational research to be nurturing personnel who can contribute to today’s international society, equipped not only with the specialist knowledge of the many fields of humanities, but also concrete theory and empirical methodology. Through this, we cultivate personnel with broad perspectives, and free, creative imaginations. In other words, this graduate school aims to cultivate creative individuals with a broad perspective and critical thinking by overviewing global trends and positioning advanced research education within it. Based on this graduate school’s philosophy, the Master’s Program and first semester of the Doctoral Program focus on nurturing intellectual human resources that can exercise sufficient skill to meet society’s demands. The objective of the second half of the doctoral program is to cultivate individuals with a broad perspective who can achieve innovative and socially beneficial research in their respective specialized fields.

Three Policies
Degree Conferment Policy (Diploma Policy)		Policies for Curriculum Formation and Execution (Curriculum Policy)	Policy for Accepting Students (Admission Policy)
＜Graduate School First Semester Doctoral Program, Master's Program＞
The Graduate School of Humanities, with the aim of nurturing human resources, and furthering pedagogical research, awards this Master’s degree (in Literature/Pedagogy/Clinical Psychology) to the following persons recognized for their skills and ability.		The Graduate School of Humanities, in order to achieve its diploma policy, formulates and executes its curriculum according to the following policies.	With the Graduate School of Humanities’ policy for granting degrees (Diploma Policy) and for curriculum formation and execution (Curriculum Policy) in mind, we will admit domestic and overseas students, as well as other members of society, who show the following abilities and desires.
Knowledge / Understanding	[Objectives of Academic Achievement] Possessing a deep knowledge and understanding of one’s specialist field, and being able to combine it to an effective end. (DP1)	[Policies for Curriculum Formation] Structuring the curriculum to include 'Exercises' in the thesis guidance subject and various lectures such as 'Special Lectures' and 'Specialized Courses,' as well as reading courses. This allows students to deepen their knowledge in various aspects of the specialized field and its related areas. [Execution of the Curriculum (teaching methods, class format etc.)] Through the lectures following the nature of the class (uses active learning or ICT etc. as appropriate to the class), debates, presentations, material readings and more, as well as presentations of research results in and outside the academy, students will deepen knowledge of various fields. [Grading Method for Academic Results] Grading is based on the level of achievement in assignments given in class (presentation, report, etc.), Master's thesis quality, and the like. (DP1)	[Our Ideal Student] The Graduate School of Humanities desires students who show abundant intellectual curiosity and basic academic capability in the applicable field, and will proactively seek out challenges to engage with in order to create new knowledge.
Knowledge / Understanding	[Achievement Indicators] Able to discover one’s own research topic, and express one’s unique understanding in a thesis. (DP1) Passed the final examination (Master's thesis, oral examination, etc.) (DP1)
Skill	[Objectives of Academic Achievement] Capable of acquiring the essential skills required for thesis creation, including meticulous reading comprehension of relevant literature, analytical capabilities for materials, proficiency in languages, unique research methods within the specialized field, and practical skills in the specific domain. Able to contemplate the essence of problems, develop arguments thoughtfully, and apply appropriate specialized skills. (DP2)	[Policies for Curriculum Formation] Effectively placing subjects related to exercises, lectures, readings, and practical training in each specialized field. [Execution of the Curriculum (teaching methods, class format etc.)] Through the lectures (using Active Learning, ICT as needed depending on the topic), presentations, reports, practical demonstrations, etc. relating to the in exercise, lecture, and reading courses, students will acquire the reading comprehension, analysis, investigation and thesis-creating skills, as well as practical skills in the specialist field, that they will require. [Grading Method for Academic Results] Grading is based on the level of achievement (presentation, report, etc.) in assignments given in class, Master's thesis quality, and the like. (DP2)
Skill	[Achievement Indicators] Utilizing acquired skills, students can present a convincing solution to the issue in the research topic, in report or thesis form, and make appropriate use of practical skills within the specialist field. (DP2) Passed the final examination (Master's thesis, oral examination, etc.) (DP2)		[Method of Choosing Admissions] In selecting admissions, the written exam will determine whether a prospective student possesses adequate basic specialist knowledge, and the linguistic skill necessary for research in their desired specialization. Additionally, oral examinations and interviews will assess a student’s ability and willingness to seek out, and then proactively engage with problems in their desired field. In specializations where the presentation of a graduation thesis is required, they will be examined for this as well.
Attitude / Intention	[Objectives of Academic Achievement] Acquiring a basic normative consciousness regarding research ethics. (DP3) Posessing an ability to find one’s own research topic, as well as showing a willing attitude in solving the problems therein. (DP4) [Achievement Indicators] Able to speak proactively on one's unique understanding of the research topic that one has discovered with a firm basis in research ethics, ultimately expressing them through oral presentations and in the form of thesis. (DP3, DP4) Passed the final examination (Master's thesis, oral examination, etc.) (DP3, DP4)	[Policies for Curriculum Formation] Effectively placing small-group exercises, lecture courses, and literature reading subjects. [Execution of the Curriculum (teaching methods, class format etc.)] Centering around exercise classes, but also through lecture and literature reading classes, debate (using Active Learning, ICT as appropriate for the class), presentations, reports and practical demonstrations, students will acquire research ethics, and a drive to solve the research assignments they themselves found. [Grading Method for Academic Results] Grading is based on the degree of engagement and level of achievement in debates, presentations, reports, etc. conducted within the classes, as well as the participation in the 'Research Ethics e-learning Course'. (DP3, DP4)
Attitude / Intention
＜Graduate School Second Semester Doctoral Program＞
The Graduate School of Humanities, with the aim of nurturing human resources, and furthering pedagogical research, awards this Doctorate degree (in Literature/Pedagogy/Clinical Psychology) to the following persons recognized for their skills and ability.		The Graduate School of Humanities, in order to achieve its diploma policy, formulates and executes its curriculum according to the following policies.	With the Graduate School of Humanities’ policy for granting degrees (Diploma Policy) and for curriculum formation and execution (Curriculum Policy) in mind, we will admit domestic and overseas students, as well as other members of society, who show the following abilities and desires.
Knowledge / Understanding	[Objectives of Academic Achievement] Capable of possessing advanced knowledge in the cutting-edge of the specialized field, necessary for systematically conducting new research surpassing existing standards or for attaining a high-level professional position. Capable of integrating this knowledge in a comprehensive manner to pursue one's own challenges. (DP1)	[Policies for Curriculum Formation] Offering the thesis guidance course 'Special Research' and conduct 'Advanced Lectures' related to various specialized fields. The curriculum is strutured to lead to oral presentations at domestic and international conferences, the publication of scholarly papers, and ultimately the creation of Doctoral thesis. [Execution of the Curriculum (teaching methods, class format etc.)] Through lectures conducted in small-group ‘Special Research’ classes, ‘Advanced Lectures’ (using Active Learning and ICT as needed by the class), debates, presentations, reports, as well as through individual guidance, students deepen and expand their knowledge in specialized fields. [Grading Method for Academic Results] Grading is based on in-class debates, presentations, reports, academic theses, Doctoral thesis, etc. (DP1)	[Our Ideal Student] The Graduate School of Humanities desires students who take their skills cultivated during the first semester of the Doctoral Program, and seek to further broaden and deepen these accumulated research results, always seeking to improve and learn more.
Knowledge / Understanding	[Achievement Indicators] Able to accurately grasp one’s own acquired knowledge, critically examine it, and present newly gained academic achievements through oral presentations at domestic and international conferences, as well as academic theses. (DP1) Presented a Doctoral thesis, and passed. (DP1)
Skill	[Objectives of Academic Achievement] Able to independently read and interpret literature, investigate, analyze or create materials, or otherwise carry out investigative work within a specialist field. (DP2) Possessing the discursive skills necessary to carry out systematic research that surpasses current research standards. (DP3)	[Policies for Curriculum Formation] ‘Special Research’ classes for thesis guidance, and ‘Advanced Lectures’ for specialist fields will be held. [Execution of the Curriculum (teaching methods, class format etc.)] Through lectures conducted in small-group ‘Special Research’ classes, ‘Advanced Lectures’ (using Active Learning and ICT as needed by the class), debates, presentations, reports, as well as through individual guidance, students not only deepen their skills in literature comprehension, interpretation, investigation, analysis, and document creation but also enhance their abilities in research activities within specialized fields and in the art of academic paper writing. [Grading Method for Academic Results] Grading is based on in-class debates, presentations, reports, academic theses, Doctoral thesis, etc. (DP2, DP3)
Skill	[Achievement Indicators] Able to read and interpret literature, and share the analysis results of the investigated materials in a form that can be widely used by other researchers. Alternatively, able to serve in a leading role for investigative activities within the specialist field. (DP2) Able to persuasively present academic results that surpass existing standards of research, in the form of verbal presentations or academic theses, in academic settings both domestic and international. (DP3) Presented a Doctoral thesis, and passed. (DP2, DP3)		[Method of Choosing Admissions]　 In selecting admissions, the written exam, Master's thesis, research plan document, or alternatively an assessment of reasons for enrolling, as well as an oral examination and more will test for deep specialist knowledge, and an ability to both discover problems and solve them concerning the student’s desired field.
Attitude / Intention	[Objectives of Academic Achievement] Acquiring normative consciousness regarding research ethics. (DP4) Showing willingness to take a flexible problem-solving approach with a Humanities-centric perspective, deploying innovative solutions. (DP5) Possessing the willingness to lead and nurture those who come after them in the field. (DP6) [Achievement Indicators] Able to, as either a researcher with a grasp of research ethics, or a high-level specialist professional, serve a central role in applicable fields, and carry out innovative, independent activities. (DP4, DP5, DP6)	[Policies for Curriculum Formation] ‘Special Research’ classes for thesis guidance, and ‘Advanced Lectures’ for specialist fields will be held, as well as individual guidance. [Execution of the Curriculum (teaching methods, class format etc.)] Through engaging in repeated debates in small-group 'Special Research' classes and 'Advanced Lectures' (utilizing Active Learning and ICT as needed for the class), as well as actively participating in the execution of research activities, students cultivate research ethics and develop a flexible mindset for considering approaches to problem-solving. [Grading Method for Academic Results] Grading is based on in-class debates, contents of presentations and reports, and Doctorate thesis, as well as the participation in the ‘Research Ethics e-Learning Course’. (DP4, DP5, DP6)
Attitude / Intention

History
Japanese Language and Literature
English Language and Literature
German Language and Literature
French Language and Literature
Socio-Cultural Studies
Education and Clinical Psychology

Click here for 3 policies

ASSESSMENT PLAN

History
Japanese Language and Literature
English Language and Literature
German Language and Literature
French Language and Literature
Socio-Cultural Studies
Education and Clinical Psychology

Click here for the assessment plan