Faculty of Humanities

A New Humanities for Navigating the World

The humanities explore fundamental questions such as what it means to be human and what a better future might look like. In today’s increasingly diverse world, people’s values vary—shaped by personal interests, relationships with family and friends, and career paths. Yet, many feel trapped by fear of failure, societal pressures, and uncertainty about the future. What brings happiness? And what causes suffering? The Faculty of Humanities tackles these questions through five specialized courses and a four-year curriculum centered on language, perspective, and experience. When you pursue your passions through academic inquiry, they become a source of hope that empowers both you and those around you. Let’s take the first step together toward a new humanities—one that expands horizons and opens up new possibilities.

Features of the Faculty

  • Harness the Power of Language to Rediscover Yourself and the World

    Learn to articulate your thoughts and listen attentively to others. Engage with texts to cultivate insight and sensitivity. Through the use of language, you will develop essential communication skills, critical thinking, and a well-rounded education that is founded on agility of thought and intellect.

  • Cultivate a Flexible Perspective to Explore the World from Many Angles

    In today’s society, the ability to ask questions and shift perspectives is essential. Through cross-disciplinary research and a multifaceted approach to problem-solving, students develop a broad, flexible perspective and the skills to identify key issues beyond conventional frameworks.

  • Hands-On Experience to Build Practical Knowledge and Real-World Skills

    Society is full of complexities and ambiguities that defy simple explanation. The Faculty of Humanities emphasizes fieldwork, encouraging students to step into real-world settings and learn through direct experience. This enhances their understanding of humanity while fostering adaptability and practical problem-solving skills.

Five Specialized Courses

The Faculty of Humanities offers five different courses. The History, Literature, and Society courses allow students to deeply explore their interests and challenges, discovering how these are intertwined with the evolution of Japanese society and its unique cultural values. In the Global Culture and Japanese Studies courses, students immerse themselves in various cultures and ways of life, gaining a deeper understanding of different worldviews and their own cultural backgrounds while developing language proficiency and a flexible outlook. Prepare to embark on a transformative learning journey—one that will change how you see the world.

Department of Humanities

Department of LiberalArts

  • Global Culture Course

  • Japanese Studies Course

Faculty-Wide Programs

Across all courses, students cultivate three essential abilities: self-reflection and meaningful dialogue (“Language”), resilience in critical thinking grounded in diverse perspectives (“Perspective”), and profound knowledge acquired through firsthand experience (“Experience”). Alongside their specialized studies, all students participate in the Faculty-Wide Programs to develop these essential skills.

A “Literacy Practicum” to Develop Writing and Communication Skills

The world we live in is shaped by the words of those who came before us. To navigate the future, we must engage with language and harness its power. In this course, students read, write, speak, and think—deepening their self-awareness and actively expressing their ideas. By sharing their writing with peers, they learn to listen to different perspectives and cultivate the language of meaningful dialogue.

Unique Compulsory Courses That Explore a Single Theme from Multiple Perspectives

In their first year, students take Introduction to the Humanities, where they engage in lectures and discussions on key themes such as community, otherness, and ownership, examining each concept from multiple perspectives. Students develop the ability to think critically through historical, literary, social, international, and Japanese cultural lenses, fostering a broad and open mindset. By approaching issues from various angles, students strengthen their ability to ask meaningful questions, shift perspectives, and use imagination to better understand others.

Long-Term Fieldwork in Kyoto, Society, and the World

In the second semester of their second year, all students must leave campus for six months of research in the field. Choosing from 12 research sites across Japan and abroad, students immerse themselves in a theme that interests them, allowing them to explore their interests in depth. In unfamiliar environments, they encounter diverse perspectives, think critically, and communicate their research findings. This experience equips them with essential skills that will empower them in any future path they pursue.

Graduation Theses

The Culmination of Four Years of Study— A Unique Exhibition at a University Dedicated to Expression

In their fourth year, all students write a graduation thesis of at least 20 A4 pages. Faculty advisors provide personalized guidance, supporting students from selecting a topic to structuring their thesis. In February, each student presents their thesis and related materials at the Graduation Work and Thesis Exhibition.

University-wide common subjects

One of the charms of Kyoto Seika University is that it offers not only undergraduate studies, but also a wide variety of common courses for all faculties.
There are many classes that are unique to Seika University, which also has an arts faculty, such as “Kyoto Traditional Industry Practicum,” a two-week practical training at a traditional arts and crafts studio, “History of Manga,” and “Game Design Theory. There are also many practical courses in which students can demonstrate the knowledge and language skills they have acquired in the Faculty of Humanities, such as working with students from other faculties to devise plans and create products for companies and governments.

Facilities

The Joho-kan

The Joho-kan, a four-story library with a collection of approximately 250,000 volumes, has individual carrels and many bookshelves on the third floor, creating a quiet environment in which students can concentrate on their studies.

PICK UP!

  • Faculty of Humanities Commons CASA

    It is a place where any student can use whenever they feel like it and where students of any grade can gather. It is equipped with coffee makers, microwave ovens, electric kettles, refrigerators, computers, etc., and can be used for various purposes, such as writing reports or taking a break. It is also a place for students to exchange information and relax.

  • A library

    A library with books useful for students of the Faculty of Humanities.
    Through displays of books recommended by faculty members, a system is created to stimulate the intellectual curiosity of students.

Voice

  • TAKAHASHI Shinichi Academic Faculty

    A Journey Toward a Deeper Understanding of Humanity—Let the Faculty of Humanities Guide You to a Future Entirely Your Own

    Graduates of the Faculty of Humanities embark on unique and varied paths. Some enter the corporate world, others become public servants, teachers, graduate students, creators, or writers. Many build new families or friendships, while others step into parenthood. Some begin their job search immediately, while others take time to reflect on their next steps. Each journey is unique, with paths that start, pause, and begin anew. Beyond these conventional paths, our graduates understand the deeper journey—the path of humanity. The path of humanity is both the journey of being human and the pursuit of what it truly means to be human. The world faces two great calamities. One is natural disasters—earthquakes, typhoons, and other forces beyond human control. The other is the devastation caused by humans themselves. At the root of all human-caused calamities lies the distortion and manipulation of language—both spoken and written. The path of humanity is a lifelong journey of honing and refining one’s words. Through this process, words of responsibility, respect, beauty, and compassion emerge— shaping our vision of a better world and empowering us to bring it to life. How do we internalize meaningful words, compile them, and then use them to shape our thoughts and express our ideas? At the Faculty of Humanities, students grow through an educational program grounded in fieldwork, practical application, interdisciplinary inquiry, global engagement, and creative expression. Faculty members guide students in mastering essential skills, shaping their growth into thoughtful and engaged human beings.