Department of Humanities and Social Sciences: Area Studies Section
Interdisciplinary Cultural Studies SectionArea Studies SectionSocial and International Relations
This section is composed of 9 courses: British Area Studies, French Area Studies, German Area Studies, Italian and Mediterranean Area Studies, Russian and East European Area Studies, North American Area Studies, Latin American Area Studies, Asian and Japanese Studies, and Korean Area Studies. The aim is to build a multi-dimensional understanding of each area's characteristics, employing research methods from History, Political Science, Economics, Sociology, Philosophy, Literature and Linguistics, and to train individuals who can take an extensive view of the whole picture from a broad perspective. Whilst the section's basic approach is 'From area studies to the world', also an important direction is the theme 'From the world to area studies'. Students who are admitted to the section start their research with one of the nine areas as their starting point, but in writing their graduation thesis, they must choose a discipline that best suits their research questions emerging from their studies. In order to conduct area studies research, language proficiency is also vital. For this reason, there is also an emphasis on language acquisition, and many courses require students to write their graduate theses in a specified foreign language.
Graduate destinations range widely, including trading companies, finance, manufacturing, transport, publishing, journalism and the media, civil service, and cultural exchange organisations. With their global perspective, interdisciplinary outlook, and advanced language skills, Area Studies graduates are highly valued across many sectors. Many of those who choose to further their research go on to the Department of Area Studies at the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.
- British Area Studies
- French Area Studies
- German Area Studies
- Russian and East European Area Studies
- Italian and Mediterranean Area Studies
- North American Area Studies
- Latin American Area Studies
- Asian and Japanese Studies
- Korean Area Studies
Interdisciplinary Cultural Studies SectionArea Studies SectionSocial and International Relations
