Department of Global and
Transcultural Studies
Department of International Studies
Department of Global and Transcultural Studies
Take Yourself Across the World
As society becomes increasingly globalized and the international environment undergoes dramatic changes, the Department of Global and Transcultural Studies is fostering individuals who will excel on the twenty-first century global stage. Students from around the world contribute to the Department’s international atmosphere, participating in a program that develops advanced intercultural communication skills based on English proficiency, interdisciplinary perspectives necessary for understanding contemporary society, and the practical skills to actively contribute to solving a wide range of problems.
Department of Global and Transcultural Studies
Key Features of the Department of Global and Transcultural Studies
Point 01 A curriculum that fosters a global workforce
Students who complete the Department’s interdisciplinary curriculum have the ability to accurately understand contemporary global society and to succeed in careers with international agencies and NGOs, multinational corporations, media companies, the travel industry, and many other employers.
Point 02 Academic advisors provide support for study abroad and internships
Under the academic advisor system, each student is assigned a faculty member who advises them on their learning planand can also help them create a plan for long-term study abroad and internships within Japan or overseas.
Point 03 Internships that foster global competency
“Global competency” refers to the skills and attitudes that enable individuals to work in the globalized world. Through domestic and overseas internships, students gain the ability to work alongside people with different values, think independently, solve problems, and control their stress.
Point 04 Classes taught in English
The Department of Global and Transcultural Studies provides thorough English language education from the time of admission so that all students can receive specialized education in English. Subsequently, students may choose from some 80 lecture classes and seminars taught in English across a wide range of subjects.
Point 05 The opportunity to attain a dual degree from two universities
Students in the Department may attain bachelor’s degrees from both Meiji Gakuin University and San Francisco State University. The program takes about four-and-a-half years, including about two years of study abroad.
Point 06 Students enroll from diverse backgrounds
The Department includes students with foreign nationalities, students who grew up abroad, students who studied at international schools in Japan, and exchange students from universities around the world. Our faculty too have diverse backgrounds, with professors from Japan, the USA, India, South Korea, Canada, Bulgaria and Britain. Students can thus experience a multicultural environment with students and faculty from different linguistic and cultural backgrounds.
Program Structure
To acquire basic knowledge and academic skills, in the first three semesters after enrollment, students choose introductory lectures combining two of four specialties: culture, society, politics and economics. From the fourth semester onward, students undertake specialized studies in their chosen fields, often including study at one of our partner universities overseas. Students also participate in internships that will help shape their future careers.
Topics
“International exchange” in the classroom
About 30% of students at the Department of Global and Transcultural Studies have non-Japanese nationalities. Exchange students from overseas universities also mingle with our own students in class. Our diverse faculty also helps students to experience the “internal internationalization” of this University every day.
Obtaining a variety of skills
In addition to lecture courses on global themes, the department offers courses such as Japanese–English translation and interpretation, journalism, logistics, statistical skills, and quantitative and qualitative research methods to help students acquire practical skills useful for the various jobs they will take after graduation.
Learning a variety of fields in English
With English as its primary language, the Department’s English program offers academic English classes in the fields of economics, culture, politics, and society. Lecture courses and English courses are linked to prepare students for advanced classes and study abroad.
