You will learn deeply about foreign cultures and acquire the ability to make presentations
In Faculty of Languages and Cultures, seminars are not just for learning a foreign language; they also focus on learning the culture in depth by studying the country's movies, newspapers, and other materials. Each student also sets a theme, conducts research, and then gives a full-scale presentation and graduation recital.
English Course
Specialized Fields
English and American Literature Seminar
Main research contents
Comparative literature, American literature, representations of migration in literature
Seminar Introduction
In this seminar, students read mainly young adult (YA) literature and deepen their understanding of the works through activities such as book talks using posters that students have made themselves. YA literature deals with themes related to the development of young people, such as friendship, family relationships, school life, and the search for identity, as well as contemporary social issues such as racism and environmental issues. As students read the stories, they can compare their own experiences with the way the characters live their lives, notice the differences and similarities in culture and values, and develop the ability to analyze literary works from multiple perspectives. Through the relatively easy-to-read English originals, students can experience the fun of words and stories, which also leads to increased motivation for learning English. I teach classes with the hope that students who tend to spend their time on social media will be able to find a book that they think is "the one" while struggling with English.
International cooperation, SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals)
Main research contents
Discrimination, prejudice and human rights, climate change, marine pollution, gender, coexistence with foreigners, fair trade, aid and partnerships, etc.
Seminar Introduction
Global issues are not just problems for developing countries. Today, as globalization progresses, countries around the world influence and depend on each other, and we share various problems such as poverty, conflict, human rights, and environmental issues. In this seminar, we unravel the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and research what we can do and how we can create a sustainable society. Seminar students choose topics of interest from various fields such as poverty and inequality both domestically and internationally, labor markets and employment environments, education, medical care and welfare, and the global environment and development, and present the results of their research obtained from literature and social surveys. Let's work together to derive new values and ideas for solutions to create a happier and more sustainable society.
Modern German philosophy, especially Husserl's phenomenology, and Western ideas about food
Seminar Introduction
In this seminar, each participant will research a theme related to German culture and thought according to their own interests. In the first half of the seminar, each participant will research and report on various literature and newspaper articles related to German culture, and share their knowledge. In the second half, each participant will give an individual research presentation on a theme of their choice. Through individual research presentations, participants can acquire basic skills that will be important even after they enter society, such as how to research literature, how to structure an argument, and how to present in public.
Translation of German-speaking texts, intercultural understanding
Main research contents
Consideration of the differences between Japanese and German through translation practice
Seminar Introduction
When translating, you wander through the uncertain territory between languages. In particular, when you come across an expression that seems impossible to translate, it will be a valuable opportunity to re-examine your familiar language, culture, and even yourself. In the first half of this seminar, participants will be divided into groups and will translate a German-speaking text into Japanese, and will then make a presentation and discussion based on that translation. While sharing the challenges and realizations that arise in the translation process, they will explore the depths of language. In the second half, each participant will freely choose a topic related to German-speaking culture or society and make an individual presentation. After the presentation, all participants will hold a discussion to improve their thinking and communication skills.
Subscription to French literature on contemporary French affairs, philosophy, literature, etc.
Main research contents
I specialize in contemporary French philosophy, particularly Jacques Derrida, but recently I have also become interested in the philosophy of care.
Seminar Introduction
In this seminar, all students who have completed the study abroad program read difficult French texts to further improve their French language skills that they have improved during their stay in a French-speaking country. Specifically, the level is B1 or higher on the CEFR European Language Reference Standard. Through reading, we aim to make it possible for students to smoothly transition from the phase of learning French "for" to the phase of learning "in" French. You may be wondering what it means to study in French, but we train students to read and understand difficult material in French, even if it is given to them in Japanese, such as newspaper articles from Le Monde or Le Figaro, or excerpts from philosophical books by Simone de Beauvoir or Maurice Merleau-Ponty. Since students get bored just by reading, we divide them into groups to hold discussions and presentations. This active learning initiative has led to exchanges between third and fourth year students across grade levels, and the seminar operates in a friendly atmosphere.
Spanish-speaking Area Studies, Development Studies
Main research contents
I analyze conflicts and peacebuilding in Spanish-speaking countries, as well as drug issues, from a development perspective.
Seminar Introduction
In this seminar, students set their own problems and gather information on various social issues in Spanish-speaking countries, then analyze, present, and discuss them. We also actively invite international students from Spanish-speaking countries and people working in Spanish-speaking countries to give presentations, lectures, and discussions.
Research on the fusion and transformation of tradition and modernity in the contemporary Andean world
Seminar Introduction
This seminar aims to help students acquire the ability to discover problems from phenomena related to the history, culture, and society of Spanish-speaking countries, and to analyze and consider them in relation to contemporary world events through group reading and research presentations. Students have been thinking about different cultures through their previous studies and experiences in Spanish and Spanish-speaking countries. They find a research theme based on the interest and questions they have developed, and by reading related literature, presenting on the theme, and reflecting on it, they put what began as a feeling into clearer language. They value this series of processes of putting things into words, and cultivate an attitude of carefully exploring things and a perspective that considers not only Spanish-speaking countries but also the contemporary world.
Students choose a topic based on their own intellectual interest in the history, society, and culture of Chinese-speaking countries, and by repeatedly making presentations they deepen their understanding and hone their information gathering skills, logical thinking, and expression.
Seminar Introduction
As a culmination of their learning in Chinese Course, students will spend two years independently identifying topics to study about the history, society, and culture of Chinese-speaking countries, such as the People's Republic of China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau, collecting information using their cultivated Chinese language skills, and making repeated presentations throughout the semester to deepen their understanding of the content. The final presentation will be in the form of a TV or YouTube program, improving their ability to explain and express themselves. In addition to individual research presentations, students will also have the opportunity to further deepen their understanding of the region by discussing topics from Chinese-speaking countries, interact with students from Chinese-speaking countries who come to Teikyo University for training, and participate in off-campus contests. Through a variety of activities, students will not only acquire advanced Chinese language skills, but also develop talent that is familiar with the history and present of Chinese-speaking countries.
Communication skills, intercultural understanding, etc.
Main research contents
Language Professor techniques, intercultural understanding, etc.
Seminar Introduction
This seminar will mainly focus on helping students acquire basic abilities such as logical thinking, thinking, expressing, communicating, gathering information, and discussing. In addition, we will teach students the basics for leading various discussions, and we will devise ways to help them acquire communication skills that will be useful in various situations after they enter society.
I am conducting research on education and credentialism in modern Korea, as well as the relationship between modern South Korea and Okinawa.
Seminar Introduction
In this seminar, we will look into various issues that change with the times in South Korea. First, we will verbalize the questions that have arisen in our minds and clarify what we are curious about. We will then think together about what we should research and how to solve the question, thoroughly research the information, and organize it after selecting and discarding it. By presenting the results in front of the seminar students, we will practice communicating our thoughts to others. Through this series of tasks, we will acquire skills that will be necessary for life in the workforce.
