Department of Sociology

Department of Sociology

• Key Features of the Department of Sociology
• Program Structure
• Topics
• Admission Policy

Key Features of the Department of Sociology

Point 01

Throughout small group seminars in each year, students improve their ability to read, understand, conduct research, and write. For example, the Sociology Basic Seminars give students skills for book reviews, interpreting media representations, and critical reading. From their 1st year, students acquire and test out knowledge of sociology that is truly useful.

Point 02

Students choose one of the three specialized courses in the 2nd year, in order to discuss with others who are interested in similar areas of study and deepen their knowledge and interests. The courses will become a flexible guide to choose their own research topic especially in the 3rd and 4th years.

• ・ Culture and Media Course

Students explore the production and communication of information and its impacts with the goal of understanding their own culture and that of others.



• ・Life and Identity Course

Students gain an understanding of connections between human life and society to investigate the nature of contemporary societies built on advanced science and technology.



• ・Environment and Community Course

Students gain an understanding of relationships between events in their everyday lives and the broader communities, cites, and the world, while also developing the practical skills needed to create sustainable new communities.

Point 03

The heart of sociology lies in going down to actual societies and apply knowledge learned in the classroom to the real social issues. Students are required to identify research questions and conduct observations, interviews, and so on. Through classes related to social research methods starting in their 1st year, students acquire the skills and spirit of social research step by step.

Point 04

This project envisions an inclusive society for people with foreign roots. It aims to deepen understanding of cultures, educational systems, and policies towards immigrants in Japan. Students can be certificated as “Multicultural Facilitators” who contribute to build good relationships between people from diverse countries and cultures.

Point 05

In addition to university faculty, visiting lecturers working in broadcasting, publishing, and related fields teach classes on visual and text-based forms of expression. Students deepen their understanding by creating media works themselves.

Point 06

In the Department of Sociology, students can obtain social researcher certification, which is useful for a career in marketing or public opinion surveys, licenses for teaching social studies in junior high school or geography, history, and civics in senior high school, certification as a social educator or social education supervisor, certification as a social welfare supervisor and certification as a child welfare officer.

Program Structure

In the 1st year, Students begin to learn basic knowledge on sociology and social research through the small group seminars and classes related to social research methods.
In their 2nd year, students choose one of the three specialized courses, concentrating on exploring related academic areas.
In the 3rd and 4th years, students choose specialized seminars and pursue each academic interest. They build on knowledge and experiences through specialized seminars and experiences in social research to write a graduation thesis.

Where Our Graduates Are Now(2019-2021)