Explanation of compulsory subjects

In order to understand and experience the local area and learn methods of community development, we will take the following 4+1 steps.

1. Deepen a basic understanding of local activities
2. Experience local activities
3. Learn the basics of community development
4. Develop an active attitude towards learning and research
5. Lead to professional qualifications (if desired)

Deepen your basic understanding of local activities

The following lecture courses are available, and students can select and take them from their first year.

- Understand people active in the community (general adults/children and young people/women/people with disabilities/elderly people) from the perspectives of education and sociology.
・Learn methods to support the self-development and lifelong learning of people active in the community.
- Deepen your understanding of government policies that support the local community.

Experience local activities

Through local internships, students will have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with local activities.
Students begin preparatory learning in their second year and undergo practical training in their third year.
Through the experience you gain from this internship, you will learn to collaborate with municipalities, facilities, and NPOs across the country to identify local issues and think of ways to revitalize the community.

The following local training locations are available:
For more information, please see the list of main training locations.

Local facilities:
Libraries, museums, community centers, youth education facilities, cultural facilities, and sports facilities

Community Activities:
Volunteer activities, NPO activities, sports activities, local welfare activities, children's extracurricular activities, local school collaboration activities

List of main training sites

Learn the basics of community development

To improve a region, it is necessary to understand it well.
Students will acquire methods for analyzing local conditions by taking the following course (Introduction to Community Research), which will equip them with various methodologies for understanding the local community.

1. Basic Research (1st year):
Learn basic literature research

2. Statistical Survey (2nd year):
Learn about quantitative research, including questionnaires.

3. Qualitative Research (3rd year):
Learn qualitative research methods such as interviews and fieldwork

Acquire an active attitude towards learning and research

In an active learning environment, students will actively study and conduct research.
At the same time, we aim to develop the ability to work with others and respond flexibly to situations, backed by specialized knowledge.
For this reason, we have set up seminar courses for each grade.

1. Basic Exercises (1st year):
We teach the basics of "academic skills" necessary for university study (such as how to read as a university student, and information literacy, which is the ability to approach and choose information).

2. Applied Exercises (2nd year):
Based on the results of the basic exercises, students will set tentative research themes, read related literature, and learn quantitative research through exercises.

3. Specialized Seminar (3rd year):
This seminar allows students to deepen their understanding of their own field of expertise while critically studying the research interests and methods of faculty members.
There will be about 10 students in each class.
Please see the seminar introduction for a list of instructors and topics for specialized seminars.

4. Graduation research (4th year):
As a culmination of their university studies, this will be an exercise in which students will produce a "deliverable" based on their own research topic.

Seminar Introduction

Lead to professional qualifications (if desired)

While taking advantage of the unique learning experiences of the faculty, students can acquire a variety of qualifications that will enable them to play an active role in the local community.
・Social researcher Conducting research necessary to solve local issues
・Social Education Officer Supporting learning activities for local residents at the Board of Education
・Librarian: Responsible for collecting and utilizing local information at libraries, etc.
・Curator: Responsible for research, preservation, and exhibition of local resources at museums, etc.