Curriculum at a Glance
Curriculum Design
The Graduate School of Intercultural Communication offers four fields of study: Language Communication, Translation and Interpreting Communication, Intercultural Communication, and Global Communication. We designed our curriculum to cultivate people who can help build a new type of intercultural communication studies through their combination of various approaches in their interdisciplinary research in these fields of study. We also offer a TESOL Program that is conducted entirely in English in which students can intensively learn the knowledge and skills they need to work in English language education in Japan or elsewhere.
Master’s Program Courses/Credits
Compulsory Courses
| Course Title | Credits |
| Master’s Thesis Seminar A, B | 2 credits each |
| Master’s Thesis Supervision A, B | 2 credits each |
Core Elective Courses
| Course Title | Credits |
| Introduction to Language Education Research | 2 credits |
| Introduction to Language and Communication Research | 2 credits |
| Introduction to Translation and Interpreting Research | 2 credits |
| Introduction to Communication Studies | 2 credits |
| Introduction to Intercultural Communication Research | 2 credits |
| Introduction to Global Cultural Studies | 2 credits |
| Foundations of International Cooperaiton and Anthropology | 2 credits |
| Research Methods A, B | 2 credits each |
| ※ Research Methods | 2 credits |
| ※ Intercultural Communication in Language Teaching | 2 credits |
| ※ Seminar in Applied Linguistics A | 2 credits |
※ Courses in the TESOL Program (Language of Instruction: English)
Specialized Elective Courses in Language Communication Research
| Course Title | Credits |
| Seminar in Language Communication Research A, B, C | 2 credits each |
| Theories of Language Communication | 2 credits |
| Seminar in Language Education Research A, B, C | 2 credits each |
| Theories of Language Education A, B | 2 credits each |
| ※ Teaching and Learning Vocabulary | 2 credits |
| ※ Psychology of the Language Learner | 2 credits |
| ※ Seminar in Language Curriculum A, B, C | 2 credits each |
| ※ Seminar in Applied Linguistics B, C | 2 credits each |
| ※ Bilingualism and Language Contact | 2 credits |
※ Courses in the TESOL Program (Language of Instruction: English)
Specialized Elective Courses in Translation and Interpreting Communication Research
| Course Title | Credits |
| Seminar in Translation and Interpreting Studies | 2 credits |
| Technologies for Translators and Interpreters | 2 credits |
| Introduction to Conference Interpreting | 2 credits |
| Conference Interpreting 1, 2 | 2 credits each |
| Principles and Methods in Translation | 2 credits |
| Translation Seminar 1, 2 | 2 credits each |
| Practical Translation | 2 credits |
Specialized Elective Courses in Intercultural Communication Research
| Course Title | Credits |
| Intercultural Communication Theory | 2 credits |
| Communication Theory | 2 credits |
| Seminar in Intercultural Communication Research A, B, C | 2 credits each |
Specialized Elective Courses in Global Communication Research
| Course Title | Credits |
| Topics in Anthropology | 2 credits |
| Seminar in Anthropology A, B | 2 credits each |
| Topics in Cultural Studies | 2 credits |
| Topics in Global Cultural Studies A, B | 2 credits each |
| Seminar in Cultural Studies A, B, C, D | 2 credits each |
| Topics in International Cooporation | 2 credits |
| Seminar in International Cooperation A, B | 2 credits each |
Conditions for Degree Conferral
Master’s Degree
This degree is conferred to students who are enrolled in the Master’s Program for at least two years, take classes and obtain the prescribed number of credits, receive research guidance, submit a master’s thesis or research project, and pass the final examination for the master’s degree.
Doctor’s Degree
This degree is conferred to students who are enrolled in the Doctor’s Program for at least three years, obtain at least six credits, receive guidance on such as preparing their dissertation, submit a doctoral dissertation, and pass the dissertation review and the final examination.
TESOL Program: Intercultural Communication in the Japanese English Language Education Context
Program Introduction
The TESOL Program in the Graduate School of Intercultural Communication leads to a Masterʼs degree in Intercultural Communication. It blends the study of TESOL with a concentration on the Japanese English language education context. All coursework is conducted in English.
Program Uniqueness
The purpose of the TESOL Program is twofold. First, it covers core topics related to English language education in order to shed light on how best to support students’ language learning efforts. Second, it addresses the cultural issues to foster an intercultural understanding that will lead to a symbiotic classroom environment and personal intercultural development. Graduates of this program will be able to play an integral role in the improvement of Japanese English language education.
Example First Semester TESOL Schedule
