Master in Language and Culture

The Master's program is divided into three courses. Educators working in research and teaching amount to three times the number of students enrolled. The Japanese Literature major mainly researches classical literature, contemporary literature, and Japanese language studies. Graduate students choose specialties from among the following: ancient times (Nara Period), medieval times (Heian Period), the middle ages (Kamakura and Muromachi Periods), early modern times (Edo Period), contemporary times (Meiji Period and thereafter), or Japanese language studies; but it is also possible to study across multiple periods. The English Literature and English Education programs include three fields. The English literature field focuses mainly on English and American literature, Studies in Language and Culture, and the English language field uses connectives and pragmatics as samples of the linguistic culture of various English-speaking countries for research. The English education field cultivates English teachers who can contribute to inter-cultural exchange through the promotion of linguistic education using English. Furthermore, the English education course meets the needs of current teachers (elementary, junior high, and high school teachers) by offering programs with flexible schedules, such as lectures at night, so that teachers can attend while continuing to work. The international culture field mainly focuses on local culture and international culture. Graduate students specialize in set regions of Europe or Asia, or in the systems and relations between certain regions and countries. In addition, the Doctoral programs established for the Japanese Literature, English Literature, and English Education programs enhance specialization even further.

Over 20 years have passed since the advent of the 21st century. In this span, society and our surroundings have entered an era of rapid change, on a global scale. Mrs. Kotaka Otsuma, the founder of this university, opened a private academy to provide instruction in needlework and handicraft in 1908, shortly after the turn of the 20th century. The 20th century was also a time of great change. Amid such changes, Otsuma Women's University promoted practical education under the educational philosophy of integrated education for the independence of women, and with the goal of fostering women with minds rich in both refinement and compassion, practical skills and practical scholarship, and the ability to play a leading role in society as specialized professionals.

The provision of higher education, much like the provision of elementary and secondary education, is mandated by society. As such, it is of course required to cater to societal changes. At the same time, however, certain pursuits must be maintained, regardless of changes in society and our surroundings; that is, individuals should, through their university education, acquire the capacity to think for themselves, assess matters subjectively, and make decisions by themselves. No matter how our society or surroundings may change, individuals will always be required to think, not merely memorize. Therein lies the first step of university education.

At the same time, university education must be able to adapt appropriately to such changes. Against a backdrop of widening disparities in the wake of the Global Financial Crisis, the world seems to have reached a turning point, that of the rise of anti-globalism, as exemplified by Brexit and the whirlwind that is the Trump presidency. Nevertheless, this anti-globalist sentiment is unlikely to be able to halt the trend worldwide of the cross-border and universal flow of people, goods, money, and information. The practical skills and practical scholarship needed in such a time are new and specialized knowledge and skills that are befitting this global trend. Otsuma Women's University will also do its part to help students develop such abilities.

Otsuma Women's University is currently comprised of five faculties, namely the Faculty of Home Economics, the Faculty of Language and Literature, the Faculty of Social Information Studies, the Faculty of Human Relations, and the Faculty of Comparative Culture, as well as a Junior College, and the Graduate School of Studies in Human Culture. The university will continue to strive to provide a comprehensive university education as described above. I sincerely hope that many of you reading this will aspire to become a member of Otsuma Women's University.