The Faculty of Humanities consists of the Departments of
Japanese, English, and
History. Students receive a basic education in academic disciplines relating to the
spirit, mind and culture of human beings, with a focus on literature, language and
history. The object of these studies is not simply to provide students with specialized
expertise or vocational skills that will be of immediate benefit when they leave the
University and enter the workplaces. Rather, they are designed to allow students the
opportunity to develop their latent potential to become mature, independent citizens. To
this end, the three departments of the Faculty of Humanities use small, seminar-like
classes to encourage the discussions of knowledge and ideas between students and faculty.
Each of the three departments features a phased curriculum that allows
fourth-year students to write a graduation thesis with the guidance of faculty members.
Typical courses include the history of literature (Japanese and English), introduction to
literature, history of Japanese cultural mores, Iinguistics, Iiterary translation
seminars, the Bible, ancient Greek, methodology of world history, and contemporary world
history.
A number of courses held by the Faculty of Humanities are also open to students
in other departments. One is the instruction in Japanese language and affairs offered to
students from other countries. These classes allow the growing community of international
students at Japan Women's University to supplement their Japanese language skills while
pursuing classes in their major.
Another course also open to students in other departments offers training in the
teaching of Japanese as a second language. As Japan takes on an increasing role in world
affairs, the number of non-native speakers studying Japanese is rising steadily. Despite
this growing need, the number of native instructors capable of offering proper instruction
in the Japanese language is far from adequate. Relatively few Japanese universities offer
courses in the teaching of Japanese as a second language.
