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Towards an Inclusive Society Domain

In today’s globalizing world, the School of International Studies aims to develop internationally minded individuals who can contribute to building a society in which people with diverse cultures, religions, genders, sexualities, etc. can participate. There are two relevant programs in this regard. These are the Global DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) course, and the Japanese language education course.

Global DEI Program

Learning from Differences and Making the Most of Differences:
Building a more Inclusive Society

In the 21st century, efforts are required to build a prosperous and harmonious global society that is both fair and diverse. By learning about a wide range of subjects in the humanities and social sciences, students will hopefully gain a greater appreciation about issues such as gender, sexuality, religion, disability, and race, and acquire an understanding that allows them to better tackle challenges facing global society and culture.

Philosophical and Educational goals of the program

DEI stands for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Through various research approaches and methods in the humanities and social sciences, students will deepen their understanding of various issues related to diversity, fairness, and coexistence in modern society. In order to build a fair and inclusive society that is rich in diversity, students will broaden their perspectives on subjects such as culture, religion, gender, sexuality, etc. This will strengthen the ability of students to consider contemporary society from multiple perspectives.

Program content and schedule
The First Year An Introduction to International Studies (in English), General Education subjects, and Japanese Culture (in English).
The Second, Third, and Fourth Years Cross-cultural Understanding, Gender and Society, Graduation Thesis research, In-depth study of specific subjects, Language Training Overseas, Media Culture Theory, Minority Groups, Research Guidance, Specialized Education subjects, and Studying Abroad.
Available qualifications

1) Bachelor of International Studies

2) Junior High School Teacher’s License (for Japanese, English, and/or Social Studies, English)

3) Senior High School Teacher’s License (for Civics, English, and / or Japanese)

4) Japanese Education (Major)

How the program system and its courses work

In the first and second semester of the first year, students take “An Introduction to International Studies”, “Intercultural Understanding”, and “Japanese Culture” courses (which include classes taught in English). These are general subjects in the School of International Studies. By taking these courses, students can acquire some of the skills needed to proceed to more specialized subjects in the School.

When entering the second year, students study across multiple programs and develop their proficiency in English and other languages while taking specialized subjects such as “Gender and Society”, “International Relations”, and “Research Guidance.” By doing so, we hope to foster understanding and interest in building a more inclusive society centered on diversity and fairness. In addition, from the second year onwards, students will actively utilize overseas language training and short-term study abroad programs that can be accepted as credits. Via this program, students can experience cultures other than Japanese culture and enhance their cross-cultural skills in terms of how to approach and negotiate with other non-Japanese individuals and groups.

If you decide to major in the Global DEI Program when you enter the third year, you will take various specialized subjects such as “Multiculturalism (in English)” and “Minorities and Media Culture.” Students will participate in research seminars and actively pursue their own research interests. Through writing their graduation thesis, students will theoretically and empirically address questions related to their subjects of interests. It is hoped that this research will contribute to students broadening their understanding of how to foster more harmonious societies.

Courses that characterize the program
“Cross-Cultural Understanding” For First Year students – Students learn about cultures across several regions around the world, and will acquire a sound understanding of how differing cultures can peacefully interact with each other.
“Gender and Society” For First Year, Second Year, Third Year, and Fourth Year Students – Students analyze various issues in relation to modern society, diversity, gender, and globalization, and examine ways in which progress to more inclusive societies can be made.
“International Relations” For Second Year, Third Year, and Fourth Year Students – Students learn about theories and concepts for understanding international politics and international relations. They then apply these theories and concepts to global issues such as gender and racial discrimination.
“Multiculturalism (in English)” For Second Year, Third Year, and Fourth Year Students – Students examine case studies in relations to the demographic and cultural impacts of international migration. They also acquire insights and knowledge about how to solve challenges regarding ethnic and cultural diversity.
“Minorities and Media Culture” For Second Year, Third Year, and Fourth Year Students – Students will focus on the history of queer and LGBTQ+ movies etc. They will also examine how differences and similarities in terms of race, sexual orientation, and body types are treated in movies and other media representations.
Specialized Subjects within the Program
A Message from a Faculty Member
Associate Professor Yutaka Kubo
(Specialist subjects: Film Studies, Gender, Japanese Cultural Studies, Queer Studies, Sexuality)

The twenty-first century world in which we live our daily lives is by no means free from discrimination and intolerance. It is not a simple task to review the intolerance of the social system that has historically and culturally been created by large power structures. However, we should be able to aim for a world where everyone can live comfortably and to be free to learn more about and to perhaps challenge and criticize traditional power structures. For example, the experience of watching documentary films on Netflix that deal with social issues such as immigration, diversity, and the environment is part of that process. With diversity, fairness, and coexistence as our slogans, let’s develop the ability to survive while mastering specific methods and language skills for analyzing the world from multiple perspectives.

Japanese Language Education Program

For those students who aim to become high-quality Japanese teachers by learning in detail about the Japanese language, Japanese language education, and Japanese culture.

Interest in Japanese culture is increasing around the world, and Japanese language teachers with extensive knowledge and teaching skills are in demand. The Japanese Language Education Program is a program to train students who can play an active role internationally, mainly as Japanese language teachers. We will also foster students who can contribute to an era in which Japan is accepting more foreign visitors and residents than ever before.

Philosophical and Educational goals of the program

The program focuses on specialized subjects for those students who wish to major in subjects leading to a Japanese Language Teaching qualification. The program not only emphasizes fostering a detailed knowledge of the Japanese language, Japanese language education, and Japanese culture. Students will also engage in practice sessions in seminars, and partake in practical “Japanese language teaching methods” and “Japanese language teaching practice” classes. Thanks to the wide range of subjects which the students at Kanazawa University study, the program also aims to make the most of the foreign language skills of the students as well as their understanding of international and Japanese society in an increasingly globalized era.

Program content and schedule
The First Year An Introduction to International Studies (in English), General Education subjects, and Japanese Culture (in English)
The Second, Third, and Fourth Years Graduation Thesis research, In-depth study of specific subjects, Japanese Language Education, Japanese Language Studies, Japanese Language Teaching Methods, Language Training Overseas, Research Guidance, Specialized Education subjects such as Japanese Language Teaching Practice, and Studying Abroad
Available qualifications

1) Bachelor of International Studies

2) Junior High School Teacher’s License (for Japanese, English, and/or Social Studies, English)

3) Senior High School Teacher’s License (for Civics, English, and / or Japanese)

4) Japanese Education (Major)

How the program system and its courses work

In the first and second semester of the first year, students take “An Introduction to International Studies” and “Japanese Culture” courses (which include classes taught in English) as well as “Intercultural Understanding 1 and 2”. These are general subjects in the School of International Studies. By taking these courses, students can acquire some of the skills needed to proceed to more specialized subjects in the School.

After choosing the Japanese language education program when entering the second year, students will acquire a wide range of knowledge related to Japanese language education by taking mainly specialized subjects (lectures and seminars) that are necessary for training Japanese language education teachers and other related personnel.

From the third year onwards, students develop their practical ability to teach Japanese through Japanese language teaching practice subjects while further enhancing their own specializations. In addition, as with other programs, students explore their own research topic in a “research exercise” seminar, and write a graduation thesis in the fourth year.

Courses that characterize the program

This program is based on the recommendations of a Japanese government “Report on the Development and Training of Japanese Language Teachers (Revised Version)” which was published in 2019. As indicated in the title, the program’s main purpose is to train future Japanese language teachers. Students can study a wide variety of subjects in five fields. These fields are: a) Society/Culture/Region, b) Language and Society, c) Language and Psychology, d) Language and Education, and e) Language. In addition to general program subjects related to Japanese language education, linguistics, and Japanese culture, there is a full range of classes and subjects such as “Japanese language teaching methods” and “Japanese language teaching practice” aimed at improving a student’s practical hands-on skills as a Japanese teacher. For students who are interested, the program offers teacher training opportunities in foreign countries, and students can also participate in internships at Japanese language schools and Japanese language educational institutions in Kanazawa. In addition, various practical hands-on activities such as Japanese language support activities for the children of foreign residents in Japan and for tutoring to international students are also available.

Specialized Subjects within the Program
A Message from a Faculty Member
Associate Professor Motoki Oe
(Specialist subjects: Japanese Culture, Japanese Language Education, Japanese Linguistics, Linguistics).

One of the most important aspects of studying abroad is experiencing life in a foreign language society. Being in a minority linguistically and culturally provides students with a unique opportunity to see the world like never before in your life and to develop as a person from the experience. In particular, students can look at Japanese society and the Japanese language from an outside perspective. This can also help students to better understand the linguistic, social, and cultural phenomena that influence the development of the Japanese language. In this program, let’s explore together the challenges and possible solutions to diverse peoples living together and understanding each other in peace in this modern global society.