Major of Art Studies

Fostering the flexible approaches and broad perspectives essential in the modern world

Students pursuing a graduate degree in Art Studies choose one of five concentrations: Musicology, Film Studies, Art History, Art Media, or Theatre and Performance Studies Concentration. While engaging in intensive study in their chosen concentration, students also have the opportunity to broaden their perspective by taking classes outside of their concentration. For instance, film and video are deeply connected to fields such as music and fine arts. It follows that the specialized study of any particular field cannot succeed without a broad and flexible perspective encompassing related fields. The lively art scene of recent years, in which artists frequently cross established genre boundaries, provides further evidence of the necessity, and indeed inevitability, of this broad approach to research on the arts. The Art Studies program is unique in that it offers outstanding classes in each of the four concentrations. This overall breadth and depth offer an ideal environment for those pursuing specialized research in the arts. By offering a wide range of classes taught by professors at the international forefront of their fields, we aim to nurture individuals with broad perspectives who are capable of using their deep background knowledge as a basis for thinking independently about the arts. This flexibility enables careers not only in research and education, but  also in fields ranging from museum curatorship, movie production, and the artistic direction of concert halls and playhouses to various types of planning and production, broadcast, publishing, and other roles in the media.

Admission Policy

TOPICS

Welcome to the Theatre and Performance Studies course!

Theater’s origins lie in the birth of humankind and its history stretches back over 2,500 years, and research institutions in Japan and worldwide allow its study as an academic discipline. With a focus on theater studies as an academic discipline, this course aims to nurture individuals who will encounter the living stage, becoming sensitive to the pulse of our times and society and able to apply that to their research. By building on the university’s international outlook and the multidisciplinary nature of the Art Studies major, we hope to produce broad-minded, deeply knowledgeable graduates prepared for an international career as scholars. Students will have the opportunity to acquire a wide background in the arts as well as to study specialized aspects of theatre, such as criticism, contemporary Japanese theatre, and modern French theatre with a focus on symbolism. When considering the “space” and “place” that are so vital for theatre, the local characteristics of Shirokanedai make it very attractive. Its location in central Tokyo allows easy access to all kinds of theatres, but it is a quiet environment surrounded by history and greenery, providing a good foundation for rich, calm research. So the stage is set, and we look forward to meeting you. Come study with us to spend a fulfilling time with experienced instructors and colleagues.

Scholarships and Grants

In principle, six students (primarily doctoral students) in the Graduate School of Arts and Letters are awarded scholarships of 100,000 or 200,000 yen each school year to support overseas research and presentations (up to 50,000 yen when participating in online conferences). In addition, grants of up to 30,000 yen are available to students in the Graduate School of Arts and Letters for travel to academic conferences within Japan.