Department of English

While accumulating practical English skills
Nourishes human nature while exploring language, literature and culture

Educational Philosophy and Characteristics

One of the goals of College of Literature is to seek what it means to be human, what life means, and to develop a deeper understanding of how people live through literature written in English. Another objective is to develop the deep and nuanced understanding of words that is essential to mutual understanding among humans, and to improve communication skills by scientifically researching the English language from various viewpoints. English is the common international language, and as students master British and American literature and language, they also must explore the culture. A deep understanding of human beings—oneself as well as others—and of different cultures equips our graduates with a broad viewpoint that comes from the ability to understand diverse cultures and values. As such, we hope that our graduates will utilize what they learn at the Faculty of English Literature to contribute to the global society.
In order to achieve this goal, the Faculty of English Literature utilizes specialized courses given by native English speakers, and instruction of literature and language—as well as practical English instruction. Every course is related to the others, so students can learn systematically. Our students gain a higher level of ability in listening, speaking, reading and writing English. As a rule, if the class descriptions are written in English, the class is given in English.
Even in the specialized literature courses, the topics are not limited to the narrowest definition of Literature. Students can learn from various cultural viewpoints, such as British and American theatre, music, visual arts, history, and social issues. Even in the specialized courses in English Language, research opportunities are not just limited to small range of material that focuses on phonetics, grammar and definitions; students can deeply research language and human expression and endeavor by examining extended fields of research, viewing how a language is mastered, or using the language itself. No other college can provide students with such a rich curriculum and such a wide range of professors who are specialists in each field. Our Faculty of English Literature is rich in tradition. However, the Faculty of English Literature does not limit itself to the traditional academic framework; instead, it offers many practical courses, so English skills and a deep understanding of literature, culture and language will become an integral part of the student’s future career. To this end, the University approaches teaching from different angles according to students’ needs, such a setting up extra-curricular programs which provide lectures, and support courses for obtaining licenses.

What Kind of Education is Provided
Practical English Education

The curriculum has many courses with which students can obtain solid English skills.
The focus is on obtaining skills to listen, speak, read and write English. In the Freshman and Sophomore years, basic English courses are mandatory. In addition, during the Freshman through Senior years, students can take Advanced English Courses as electives. During the Freshman and Sophomore years, these advanced courses provide high-level training, where students study listening, conversation, reading, writing, and English grammar. During the Junior and Senior years, advanced classes teach discussion, debate, public speaking, business English, media English, translation techniques, and interpretation techniques. Students are trained to be able to use English appropriately in any field they choose.

Placement tests are given at the time of admission so students can attend the correct basic English courses, based on their individual English skills. Other than that, the University encourages students to make choices based on individual interests.
Language Lab Facilities to Strengthen Listening Skills
Listening 1 and 2 are offered during Freshman and Sophomore years, and the focus is placed on education using language lab facilities. Here, listening skills, which are at the foundation of English abilities and proficiency, can be strengthened.

English Literature, American Literature, and Specialized Education of the English Language:
Three courses of study to choose from based on individual interests

The English Literature Department is divided into three specialized courses: English Literature, American Literature, and English Studies. The department has prepared a systematic and high level of education and research in each specialized field, with each course subject covering various areas of literature and linguistics. Students majoring in English Literature can choose their major based on individual interests.
First, as an introduction to studying literature and language more deeply, the curriculum during the Freshman and Sophomore years covers Introduction to English Literature and General Theory. During the Junior year, students will go on to specialized courses.
Literature courses consist of literature research that focuses on the literary work itself, as well as research of culture and geographical areas. These two areas of research have close ties with one another, and students can research a wide range of issues based on modern interests. There are also many culture-based research lectures and classes taught by instructors who are native speakers. The classes offered cover all genres, such as poems, novels, theatre, history of literature, and literature criticism, so this rich curriculum allows students to study the British and American cultures from various angles. The English Language course also has a rich curriculum that covers various areas of modern linguistics. All of this allows students to obtain a balanced view of the basics of English language skills.

Education for Career Preparation
One of the English Literature Department’s focuses is on training English instructors.

In the English Literature Department, students can obtain teaching credentials for junior and senior high schools after completing the necessary coursework, including the teaching-credential courses.
Our English Literature Department has produced many excellent instructors through the years, but English instructors in particular have been the hallmark of our institution. Many of our graduates are taking part in educating students in junior and senior high schools all over Japan.
Because we want that tradition to continue and to expand, we are committed to training English instructors that fit the new era, where English communication skills will be of great importance. We provide instruction in the major classes using instructors who are native speakers, as well as in the English Instructor Training courses.These are our new approaches to English education to accommodate needs in modern society.
In recent years, it has become necessary to generate a new type of English instructor training that takes into consideration early English instruction targeting infants and elementary school children. This department offers additional training courses (2004 and 2005, for Junior and Senior year students) to support these needs in various ways.

Other Support Systems

There is only one government-accredited test, which is the Interpreter Field (Interpreter Guide) test. The English Literature department offers an Interpreter Guide Training Course as an extra-curricular program (2004-2005, for all students), for which all students are eligible, and which is encouraged for students who hope to obtain licenses other than English-teaching credentials. This is a very popular program among our current students.
Some students in the English Literature Program aim for various careers that make use of their English skills, such as careers in the airline and the travel industries. Many of our students study abroad for short or long periods at our sister schools or other universities or schools overseas. Some students even go on to university graduate schools after graduation to continue their studies. Because students in the English Literature Department take English proficiency tests such as TOEFL－ITP and TOEIC－IP, which help them set a target for their future careers and/or plans to study abroad, we also offer classes that teach skills on how to take these tests.