A Curriculum that allows students to design their studies according to their individual wishes
To address social issues, students independently conduct research on themes they propose.
In the first two years, students establish a solid foundation in their area of specialization and develop the skills to expand this expertise into comprehensive knowledge through three elective educational courses.
In the third year, students pursue a Doctoral Degree (Doctor of Philosophy) by choosing either the “Interdisciplinary Research Course”, which builds on their specialization to conduct integrative research, or the “Social Practice Course”, which emphasizes practical research through domestic and international training programs such as Musha Shugyo and PBR (Project-Based Research).
New GSAIS Curriculum
First phase: Two years (equivalent to a Master's program)
The first two years of the doctoral program are dedicated to establishing a specialized foundation and acquiring the basic skills needed to develop specialized knowledge into comprehensive knowledge.
During these first two years, students take the necessary courses and receive research guidance at the Graduate School of Integrated Studies in Human Survivability or at other graduate schools within the university, depending on their research themes, then they summarize their findings in a master’s thesis (or equivalent).
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Developing your area of specialization at the Graduate School
During the first two years, students receive research guidance under the faculty members of the Graduate School, complete the necessary courses, and establish their area of specialization. In addition, students will be exposed to social issues in local communities and developing countries through Service Learning in Japan and overseas, and acquire the ability to look over the world, communicate with others, and take action, which are required of leaders, through practical learning.- Developing your area of specialization outside the Graduate School
Students spend the first two years under the guidance of faculty members from other graduate schools within the university, taking specialized courses in the relevant graduate schools to establish their area of specialization.
In either case, students will acquire the foundational skills to transform their specialized knowledge into comprehensive knowledge by participating in and presenting at the Integrated Studies in Human Survivability Research Group held at the graduate school, as well as by taking the Integrated Studies in Human Survivability Course described below. -
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Three Educational Courses (Integrated Studies in Human Survivability)
The purpose of this course is to develop the foundational skills of ‘Integrated Studies in Human Survivability,’ which fosters the vitality of knowledge through the fusion of diverse disciplines, transcending the boundaries of specialized fields to address global-scale issues. The course is structured with distinctive offerings from the Graduate School of Integrated Studies in Human Survivability and other graduate schools and is divided into three fields.-
Sustainability Integrated Knowledge Course
The objective of this course is to develop the essential skills for comprehensive knowledge needed to address environmental issues (e.g. marine plastic pollution, circular economy, renewable energy policy) from a broad perspective, aiming for a carbon-neutral and sustainable society. Beyond their own specialization, students will gain the knowledge to approach environmental problems from multiple perspectives, including international affairs, economics, and materials science. The course will also cover methods for acquiring extensive knowledge and conducting cross-disciplinary academic research, enhancing students’ understanding of the complex structure of sustainability and enabling them to engage in research across the humanities and sciences.
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Well-Being Comprehensive Knowledge Course
The purpose of this course is to deepen students’ understanding of the social context of well-being (e.g. physical, mental, and social well-being), which has garnered significant attention in recent years. The course aims to develop the basic skills required for comprehensive knowledge, enabling students to think independently about solving practical problems in these areas. To achieve this, the course will provide an transdisciplinary overview of fundamental knowledge about well-being, spanning the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. Additionally, lectures will focus on acquiring in-depth knowledge and cross-disciplinary research methods. The course is designed to offer an transdisciplinary approach to the study of well-being.-
Frontier Development Comprehensive Knowledge Course
This course focuses on space development (e.g., construction of bases and resource exploration on the Moon, Mars, and in Outer Space) and international development (e.g., humanitarian assistance to developing countries, peacebuilding, and institutional reform) as frontiers of modern society. It aims to cultivate thorough knowledge and develop practical methods for solving problems in these areas. The objective is to equip students with the fundamental skills needed to approach problem-solving in space and international development. To achieve this, students will study the basic knowledge of both fields in an transdisciplinary manner, with a focus on one of the areas.
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Second phase: 3 Years (equivalent to the Doctoral Program)
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Interdisciplinary Research Course
This course is designed to nurture doctoral candidates with the transdisciplinary research skills required for complex, cutting-edge research.
Building upon the academic foundation equivalent to a Master’s degree, students continue to deepen their expertise in specialized areas, either within the same field or across different fields, while integrating these areas with the perspective of Integrated Studies in Human Survivability. The culmination of their work will be the development of a Doctoral thesis summarizing their research findings.
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Social Implementation Course
This course cultivates practical and pragmatic doctoral candidates, with a focus on the social implementation of their research.
Expanding on the specialized knowledge gained at the Master’s level, students further develop their expertise and contribute to Integrated Studies in Human Survivability. They summarize the results of their studies and research in a Doctoral thesis, incorporating insights gained through international practice (Musha Shugyo, PBR), to apply their research findings in real-world societal contexts.
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