Faculty of Humanities
Department of Humanities Society Course 社会コース

Exploring solutions to contemporary issues in society

Students on the Society Course study the problems that arise in relationships between individuals and groups. These include education, the environment, media, gender, immigration, religion, poverty, war, and other topical themes that have become global issues. The first step in shedding light on these issues is the ability to understand society from different perspectives. To develop this ability, students study sociological theories and methodologies in their historical context and learn basic methods of social investigation. Some problems require analytical techniques that go beyond numbers and data. At Kyoto Seika, students develop the skills needed to find solutions using approaches that include questionnaire surveys and fieldwork that engages all five senses.

Subject Highlights

  • Peace Studies

    Peace studies is an interdisciplinary academic field where students examine how peace can be achieved, either as negative peace, through the absence of violence, or as positive peace, where people have the freedom to explore and demonstrate their potential.

  • Gender Studies

    Gender is no longer bound by its role as a social and cultural construct. Instead, it is now seen as something that actively shapes the very fabric of society and culture. In Gender Studies, students gain an understanding of the development of gender theory and its relationship to contemporary thinking.

What you will study

  1. 1STYEAR

    Enhancing Language Skills and Building a Strong Academic Foundation

    The first year focuses on acquiring the foundational skills necessary for studying at university. Students participate in small-group classes to build the essential language skills necessary for humanities studies—reading, speaking, and writing. They also gain experience analyzing topics from multiple angles—history, literature, society, international studies, and Japanese culture—nurturing a flexible and open-minded perspective.
    Foreign language study is also a key focus, fostering cross-cultural understanding.
    Languages Offered: English, Korean, French, Spanish, and Chinese

  2. 2NDYEAR

    Extensive Off-Campus Fieldwork

    With guidance from faculty members, students carefully design their long-term fieldwork experience. In the second semester, they leave campus for six months of hands-on fieldwork. Through this experience, students cultivate independent thinking, practical skills, and the ability to communicate their findings effectively. The confidence and skills they gain here will be invaluable no matter where their future takes them.

  3. 3RDYEAR

    Expanding Knowledge and Deepening Critical Thinking Through Specialized Courses and Seminars

    As students compile their research reports from long-term fieldwork, they also gain expertise and research methodologies through courses in their respective fields. They also participate in small-group seminars where they analyze texts, present research, and engage in discussions on key themes. By exchanging ideas and engaging with diverse perspectives, students refine their thinking and deepen their understanding.

  4. 4THYEAR

    Showcasing Four Years of Learning Through a Graduation Thesis

    Students write a graduation thesis as the culmination of their four years of study, presenting their completed theses at the Graduation Work and Thesis Exhibition in February, just before graduation in March. This exhibition offers a valuable opportunity to receive objective feedback from both within and outside the university.

What You Will Learn

  • The ability to explore social issues
  • The ability to think critically, generate ideas, and find solutions to issues
  • The ability to make decisions quickly and act decisively

Past Theses

  • Being Both A Mother and a Woman: Family Through the Fashion of the “Millennial Mom”

    The “millennial mom” is a familiar concept in today’s media. She is young and fashionable, and at first glance, it can be difficult to tell that she is a mother. This trend largely reflects increasing individualization among younger Japanese women. The paper discusses the impact of individualization on fashion for mothers and the role of “millennial mom” fashion in family life today.

  • Studying Ethnic Culture: Mystical Tourism and the Fascination with Sacred Objects

    As tourists, we are often interested in discovering the unusual. This interest is usually focused on ethnic peoples and culture, with sacred items in these communities a particular source of interest to some tourists. Based on the current tourism commodification of two ethnic cultures, Thai ethnic minorities and the Amish, this paper explores our desire to rediscover the “sacred” through tourism at a time when our society is becoming increasingly secular.

  • Overcoming Barriers in the Awamori Market in Okinawa and Mainland Japan - Exploring the Challenges of Marketing Awamori Outside Okinawa

    Shipments of awamori, Okinawa’s local alcoholic beverage, outside the prefecture rose sharply in the late 1990s and early 2000s. There are many differences in the way awamori is distributed compared to shochu. Liquor distributors in mainland Japan tend to think of awamori as a difficult product to market. This thesis analyzes various reasons for this: the grip of Okinawan wholesalers on the market, special liquor tax measures associated with US military rule, and the reversion of political control of Okinawa to the mainland, as well as differences in consumers’ alcoholic beverage preferences in mainland Japan and Okinawa.

Careers

 

Career Opportunities
Editor, journalist, civil servant, NPO/NGO worker, arts curator, school teacher, educational personnel, sales, and many more.
 
 
Major Employers
Financial services, online content design and production companies, NPOs and NGOs, medical and welfare services, manufacturing companies, distribution and retail companies, and many more.
 


Voice

  • TAMURA Yuka Academic Faculty

    A stimulating academic journey to discover the truth

    In my seminars, we consider contemporary society from the perspectives of culture, geography, and life. We trace the origin and meaning of the things we experience in our daily lives, looking at where they come from and where they go. Students choose a topic and, through written research, fieldwork, and collaborative activities in the community, explore its origins, unique cultural identity. current circumstances, and ideas for the future. My aim is to help you experience a stimulating academic journey to discover the truth.
  • YAMADA Sohei Academic Faculty

    Today's struggles drive future change

    At Kyoto Seika, we consider social issues, such as social exclusion and discrimination, through the lenses of art and creative expression. My message to those struggling in their daily lives is that your thoughts and feelings can be an important force for change in the world. University is a place where you have as much time as you like to reflect on the issues that mean something to you. I look forward to working with students who are passionate and understand that the issues that society faces are issues that we all face.