Department of History Close-UP

6 Department of History

カリキュラム

In Department of History, after acquiring basic knowledge and methodology of history, English language skills, etc., students select one of six courses to proceed with specialized learning. While enhancing their expertise through historical reading and practical training, students solidify their own research topic and begin preparation for their graduation thesis, which will be the culmination of their studies.

Syllabus

Department of History syllabus

Class Introduction

Japanese History Reading
In this class, students will read historical records written by people in the past, which are indispensable for the study and research of Japanese history. Historical records are letters, diaries, and other documents written by people throughout history. By reading and understanding what is written in them, we, as modern students and researchers, can use the historical facts obtained from them as a basis for our research and study. Naturally, they are all written in a mixture of ancient and Chinese scripts. There are some rules of reading that Japanese-style (Wafu) Chinese texts have, so students who wish to enroll in this course are advised to review the ancient Chinese texts from their high school days.

Western History Exercise
In this class, we subscribe to the most up-to-date research literature possible and examine the "Theory of American Civilization" as a variant of Western civilization. To this end, we will analyze what the West is, how it has been transformed in the Atlantic Rim (the Atlantic Ocean, a vast ocean where the continents of Europe, Africa, North, and South America and their mixtures meet), and how it has shaped the United States today in its unique climate --historically, ideologically and philosophically. The United States has the shortest history of all the regions covered by the Department of History and is a unique country born in the modern era. We will discuss with students the reasons why this particular country created universal values. Students tired of studying history in a narrow sense should take this opportunity to try the United States.

Oriental History Reading
Chinese history is filled with many different heroes. The famous general Bai Qi, the first of the six generals of the Qin Dynasty, is the subject of a recent hit historical manga. Zhang Liang, the famous military strategist praised for "assuring victory a thousand miles away." The politician Wang Xu, who used Confucianism to overthrow the Han Dynasty. Cao Cao, Liu Bei, Sun Quan, and others in the so-called "Romance of the Three Kingdoms." They were the people who lived in China more than 2,000 years ago, the same generation as Himiko of the Yayoi Period and the Yamataikoku Kingdom in Japan. However, their biographies have survived to the present day and can all be read in Japanese. In this class, students will select a biography of a person of their choice, read it, make a chronological table, research unknown words and incidents, and prepare materials for a presentation. Students then discuss the contents of their presentations together. Students will learn about the methodology of history studies, which delves not only into the life of that particular person but also into the politics, society, and culture of the time in which they lived.

Archeology Training
In this class, students learn to use clay to make Jomon earthenware, Yayoi earthenware, and other pottery artifacts in real life. The purpose of this class is to have students learn various techniques related to pottery production, such as how clay is piled up and formed, what tools are used to adjust the joints between clay and clay, and how the patterns on the surface of pottery are drawn. Pottery production techniques are an essential observation point in classifying the period and region in which pottery was produced. Therefore, the purpose of this class is to develop an observational eye for pottery materials by acquiring knowledge of pottery production techniques 

Geography Field Training
In this class, which is part of the Geography Course, students conduct field research twice a year for three days and two nights, led by a faculty member. In the past, students have visited Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, and Suwa area, Nagano Prefecture, where they interpreted topographical maps, observed natural landforms and townscapes, collected materials at libraries and toured museum facilities. They also spoke with local people about local nature, history, culture, industry, urban development, and issues. Using the various information obtained through these surveys, students discussed ways to make the local community a better place to live and work. In this way, geography field training is an extremely practical subject that allows students to foster not only research skills but also the ability to create local communities.

Art History/Cultural Heritage Practice
In this practical training, students will actually touch art materials and analytical instruments, and acquire the various perspectives and skills necessary to deal with art works and cultural heritage. You will learn how to analyze and interpret materials, such as works of art, from the basics, and deepen your knowledge of the expressions and techniques of works of art by actually using them. In addition, students will learn practically how to conduct surveys and how to handle materials using art materials held by Department of History. Standard research methods such as scientific analysis methods and how to read the data, the latest research methods such as reading art historical information from image materials, visual observation of works and descriptions based on them, and how to read kanji characters necessary for reading historical materials. It is a class where you can experience a wide range of things.

成績評価と単位認定

Grading Criteria

About our GPA System

The intent behind our implementation of a GPA (Grade Point Average) system is to (1) create a unified standard for the campus, (2) have it function as an impartial standard, and (3) have it function as an internationally accepted standard. Our GPA system involves the assessment learning achievements using an objective numerical value called GPA. Additionally, this system generally conforms with the grade assessment systems adopted by universities in the West, and can be used overseas as an index used to certify a student’s academic ability when studying abroad, when going on to graduate school overseas, when finding employment at a non-Japanese companies operating in Japan, and so on.

Display of Grades and Assessment Criteria

GPA Calculation Method

Credit Recognition

1. Register for classes. Use CampusSquare to register for classes online and have your classes properly confirmed. You will need to do this for both the first and second semesters.
2. Students attend classes. There are 15 class in both the first and second semesters.
   Normally, 2-credit courses consist of attendance at each class (90 minutes) and preparation and review (about 2 hours each). In order to earn the credits, students must attend all classes (from the first to the 15th) as a matter of course, and also deepen their understanding through preparation and review.
3. Depending on subjects, students are required to take exam or submit reports (accreditation methods vary from lecturers).
4. Grades of S, A, B or C mean that students have passed the course and earned the credit. Grade of D means that students has failed the course and not earned any credit. If students receive a grade of D for a compulsory subject, they require to take it again the following year or later.
   Courses which students have already earned credit cannot be retaken.
5. About Academic Grades
   • Academic grades are assessed based on final examinations at the end of the semester (written exams, oral exams, practical exams, or reports). However, depending on courses, mini tests, reports, attendance, and academic progress during class may be evaluated as regular points, or assessments may be carried out based on the regular points only.
   • Academic grades are issued on the transcript with only the evaluation. 
   • Courses which students have passed once cannot be erased or retaken.
   • Grades will be published on Campus Square every semester.
   • If you have questions about your grades, such as not receiving a grade despite taking an exam (submitting a report) after the results have been announced, please come to school at the beginning of the next semester (in principle, by the first week of classes) and ask your teacher directly. If your teacher has left the school and you are unable to make inquiries, please notify the Academic Affairs Office.

Minimum number of credits required for graduation (For students enrolled in 2022)

• *1 If the number of credits earned in the comprehensive basic courses exceeds 12, the excess credits up to 8 will be approved as a credit in common elective courses.
• *2Some credits for each course of teaching profession and curator may be included in credits of specialized education subjects or general basic subjcts.
• *3 Excessive credits for elective compulsory subjects are included in the credits for elective course.