We will deal with issues in today’s society
and train people that can help make an ideal societ
What to Study
What is interesting and difficult about sociology — questioning society’s common sense ‘What area of study is sociology anyhow?’
‘What do you study in the sociology department?’ Such questions are often posed when students become interested in or consider majoring in sociology. However, concisely answering the question ‘What is sociology?’ is actually difficult, even for an expert in sociology. One of the reasons for the lack of a simple explanation is because there is not just one type of sociology. The field of study that sociology covers and the way people approach it are truly varied. Sociology is a very broad and deep area of study.
On the other hand, although there are many types of sociology, one common factor is ‘interesting sociology,’ which challenges the ‘common sense’ that we share in the society in which we live today. Students wanting to major in sociology sometimes make the mistake of thinking that sociology will help them scratch the surface of the common sense of society in a wide range of subjects. However, comments about news and incidents seen on TV represent ‘common knowledge and image,’ which actually gets in the way. It is not easy to determine what is happening in reality and why. When you take away the veil that is on the surface of an issue, most likely you will find unlikely relationships and a paradox between cause and effect.
You will find a seminar you want to study at - The variety of the teaching staff is the entrance to your intellectual adventure
What is interesting about sociology is the questioning and throwing out of phenomena and explanations that were thought to be ‘natural’ and ‘normal,’ and trying to find the answers to those questions. Discovering reality is a complicated challenge, but please do not feel intimidated by these challenges. Take a good look around you and think about the environment in which you grew up, your relationships with others, and what you have been doing up until now. You will most likely come up with some questions or unclear issues. This is your starting point to sociology. If there is a starting point that will relate to your roots, you will be able to reach the goal that may seem so far away.
This department is a perfect place for those who have found that starting point, ‘the seed of sociology,’ to begin your intellectual adventure. Although there are many universities all over Japan that offer sociology courses, it is rare that the teaching staff’s areas of specialties cover such a wide a range of various sociological areas. Students can learn about the history of sociology theory, spanning from classic sociology to the latest theories. At the same time, we have prepared a rich variety of subjects for lectures and seminars that will analyze today’s society using keywords such as mass media, communication, social psychology on the Internet, crime, environmental issues, medical/reproductive techniques and human ethics, gender/sexuality, social ethics, cultural phenomenon (such as literature and music), religion of today, ethnicity and immigration, globalization, urban space. family and social network of today, the current educational system, and lifetime education/study. The courses are taught by dedicated teaching staff who are successful in their fields.
An intellectual adventure without dedicated instructors who are well-versed in their areas of specialization would be a dull one indeed. With such a variety at our school, we are confident that you will thoroughly enjoy the adventure at the Department of Sociology. The real thrill in learning sociology is in the seminars and sociological research training that start during the junior year and in writing a dissertation. Please find a seminar that is just right for you here at Meiji Gakuin University.
The power of leaning in small groups — finding oneself through thorough debates
In the sociology department seminars, students decide on their own themes, come up with questions, then discover the answer in the form of a report. Through this detailed and lengthy process, students gradually establish their own individual point of view and reach intellectual independence. It may appear that studying sociology that does not lead to a particular career is not that useful. However, the sociological experience of researching the issues on your own and figuring out the mechanism behind the issues by using various data will help you to be flexible in dealing with any issue and to gain basic insight. In other words, it means that you will have the power to develop yourself and the ability to dedicate yourself to others. In the Department of Sociology at Meiji Gakuin University, we heavily promote this idea using a two-pronged approach.
First, we teach students in small groups throughout all four years. We have prepared a variety of classes that are provided in the small-group format (usually less than 20 students), from freshman through senior year. Throughout their time at the university, students can combine the courses as they choose. The mandatory Basic Training course, newly admitted students experience a ‘seminar’ for the first time that leads them to the world of sociology. This basically is a guide on how to study sociology. Freshmen thorough seniors can take the course Reading Technical Books (Japanese/foreign language). Students can choose their themes based on their interests and can take multiple courses in reading. Unlike regular training courses, our courses provide unique lessons where students can discuss issues with upper and lower classmen. Training 1 during junior year and Training 2 during senior year are full-fledged seminars. Students choose a research theme during the fall term, which determines which seminar to attend. During students’ senior year, they continue to study Training 2, while receiving individual lessons by seminar staff.
The real quintessence of educating students in small groups is that the students pursue their themes through interactions with other people who are close to them. Students report on what they have read, researched, and thought over again during the lesson. Only when you can present yourself in an environment where you are receptive to other people’s reactions do you see ‘you.’Establishing oneself is the first step in dedicating yourself to others.Establishing oneself is the first step in dedicating yourself to others.
Fieldwork — to touch people and society
The second approach focuses on fieldwork. In this department, every year societal research training covers seven to eight types of themes; students can pick classes based on their interests. The fields of research are truly varied. They include life in the mountain villages or culture among young people in the big cities. We have continued to cultivate the educational tradition that focuses on the current society based on real data gathered by constantly visiting various area of society. Starting in 2005, a new format of teaching will take place to further the tradition of the department.
New courses that train students in the ability to conduct society research (fieldwork), starting with Basics of Society Research, will be offered during freshman year. For example, Fieldwork Testing during sophomore year teaches the basics of various methods used in society investigation in a small group. Society Research Training is also a small class. Students can experience collecting and analyzing data and writing an investigative report during the course of a year. Research methods include analyzing a vast amount of data using a computer, interviewing people in various positions, and observing the microcosm of a social scene. The sense of partnership with your fellow research members, as well as the sense of accomplishment you feel when your research report is published, will become a very important asset in life.
Starting in 2005, it is possible to obtain the qualification of a social researcher once the student completes six required courses in the area of social research. This is a new certification (not yet a national certification) that requires students to have substantial ethics and practical skills as well as basic knowledge for social research.. In the future, we believe it is going to be helpful to those students aiming to have a career with local governments, research and investigative groups at a research institutions, and marketing departments for companies.
Dedication to others in various situations - the ability to analyze humans and society
Conducting fieldwork in various situations in society and investigating people’s awareness and actions leads to understanding the reality of the world in which we live. This is deeply connected to the educational belief of Meiji Gakuin University: dedication to others. What is at the center of the fieldwork experience is meeting different people. Listening to what they have to say and hearing their experiences and thoughts provides the meaning that will enable you to understand others. Once the information is gathered, it is necessary to connect it to larger societal situations and social systems as well as historical societal changes when trying to understand the structure of a problem. It is important that a logical viewpoint of sociology and detailed data about reality be put together when trying to understand the difficult problems people face, especially those in a weaker position in society. Our well-balanced curriculum is rich in variation, training students to read data and apply theory. In addition, we feel that this sociological insight in understanding the relationship between society and individuals will become a foundation to help others.
It is no surprise that graduates of this program go on to careers in many different places just by knowing that sociology does not require a certain level of intellectual knowledge. However, the two goals of self-exploration and dedication to others are useful in any field of work. In our modern day society, social systems are becoming increasingly complicated. It is a time when it is difficult to clearly define a career or future plans. Therefore, it is necessary to be aware of the possibility of taking a different course of action. In times like this, instead of a narrowing the range of specialized knowledge, it is more important to reflect upon yourself through relationships with others. Students are asked to have the power to create themselves and the ability to see the damaged societal structure by gathering information. We are proud that we continue to send off graduates who have a flexible point of view and a healthy pride after four years of study.
|
