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 In
April 1997, Nagoya University of Foreign Studies launched a master's
program under the denomination "Graduate School of International Studies"
(admission: up to 20 persons) to offer graduate school curricula for
the School of Foreign Languages and the School of Global Business and
Economics. Doctoral programs were initiated in the spring of 1999 (admission:
up to 5 persons).
This academic-oriented graduate school was set up in an effort to enhance
research and education in the context of a higher educational institution,
and meet globalizing and diversifying social needs. The courses are designed
to provide experts/businesspersons with global communication skills and
the ability to demonstrate profound expertise, thus fostering competent
professionals who can contribute to the global community.
The underlying ideal and framework of these courses are unique and hardly
seen in other Japanese institutions. There is no doubt that our graduate
school will serve as a pioneering model for the future of Japan and universities
through this innovative approach. To implement and fulfill the ideal,
students are highly expected to voluntarily work on learning activities
with a global perspective and unlimited enthusiasm for research. Teamwork
among students and deep commitment from instructors are indispensable
for achieving optimum results. |
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| Master's programs are designed to offer graduate school curricula
for the School of Foreign Languages and the School of Global Business and
Economics. Taking into consideration the school level, the curriculum is
based on English, French, Chinese and Japanese, encompassing international
relations, international business and the Internet. Such extensive programs,
however, may bring the students out of focus. To solve this problem and
define the research orientation/areas of employment, the following 7 courses
are put into place: |
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Based on the master's programs, the doctoral programs comprise
three major areas: "English Linguistics/English Pedagogy", "Japanese Linguistics/Japanese
Pedagogy" and "International Culture". In particular, "International Culture"
focuses on linguistic science and cultural research, satisfying the diverse
intellectual curiosity of students who have learned French, Chinese, global
business/economics or international relations. Doctoral programs are thus
designed to train sophisticated and professional businesspersons, educators
or researchers through highly specialized curricula and a well-organized
research framework.
In doctoral programs, precautions are taken so as not to undermine the comprehensive
and interdisciplinary approach, which is the feature of this course. Although
the core of the program is coaching research activities, students are expected
to deepen professional research ability in specific areas and acquire skills
to apply their extensive knowledge in society based on the broad perspective
cultivated in the master's programs. In particular, English Linguistics/English
Pedagogy and Japanese Linguistics/Japanese Pedagogy are expected to serve
as an arena to foster senior professional educators.
In English Linguistics/English Pedagogy and Japanese Linguistics/Japanese
Pedagogy, the curriculum is systematically organized from school (department),
master through doctoral programs, partly to encourage students to earn a
doctor's degree. In this context, these courses may well serve as an advanced
researcher training institution.
While interdependence among nations deepens rapidly, Japan is naturally
expected to serve the global community through the United Nations, Japan
External Trade Organization (JETRO), Japan International Cooperation Agency
(JICA), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
(UNESCO), Overseas Economic Cooperation Fund (OECF), Institute of Developing
Economics (IDE), World Bank, IMF, and other development assistance organizations,
as well as international think tanks. Despite the growing demand for Japanese
staff that can work actively at these organizations or in the domain of
international journalism, there is an acute shortage in supply.
In recent years, more and more of these specialized institutions require
the applicants to hold a doctor's degree (Ph.D.) in performing their tasks.
Training and producing such professionals has become an urgent requirement
because Japan is behind other nations in terms of a higher education policy.
Students who major in International Cultural Studies through the doctoral
programs can fully meet these expectations. |
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English Communication
Course |
The significance of "English" continues to grow as a universal language
in the ever-changing global language environment. At the same time, English
is solidifying its dominant presence due to dramatic expansion of information
networks in the global community. It is our belief that the most important
social mission for a university of foreign languages is to put into place
graduate school curricula that overlooks the present and future challenges
of English education in Japan, which may include supplying high-quality
professionals who will teach English in primary education, motivating instructors
to get promoted to senior teachers, or meeting the needs of re-education.
In line with these objectives, this course allows students to develop a
professional understanding of English education in general and conduct research
on pedagogics. |
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Japanese Communication
Course |
Today, the necessity and importance of Japanese education have been growing
rapidly in Japan and abroad amid the surging expectations for Japan to play
a larger role in the world. @It is also an urgent task to meet the demand
for textbooks designed for Japanese learners abroad as well as for Japanese
education programs designed for foreign students, foreign workers and their
families and returnees in Japan (i.e. "Japanese education for those who
do not speak Japanese as their mother tongue").
In this course, Japanese is regarded as one of the global languages, and
programs are offered to train experts in Japanese/Japanese culture education.
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French Communication
Course |
Globalization is accompanied by multilingualism and multiculturalism. The
unification of EU has revealed the significance of French as an international
language. This course is designed to conduct holistic in-depth research
on the French and French culture that once dominated the world including
Europe for a long period of time. It is also designed to master French from
the academic aspect and conduct applied research for French education. Meanwhile,
technical research is conducted on the listening-based French learning method
using Electronic Ear, which is presently drawing attention as state-of-the-art
pedagogics. (NUFS (the Department of French Studies) is the first university
in the world to introduce this methodology.)
Students who complete the master's programs are eligible to train diplomats,
interpreters/translators, and businesspersons related to French. They also
have the option of moving on to the doctoral programs and becoming French
education experts. |
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Chinese Communication
Course |
The Chinese economy is undergoing rapid expansion in terms of quality and
quantity. Chinese products are exported throughout the world. The presence
of China is also expanding in the arena of international politics. Under
these circumstances, Japan-China relations are becoming closer than ever
before. In particular, economic ties are deepening, represented by the launching
of Japanese companies on Chinese soil and the unfolding of Japan-China venture
businesses.
This course is designed to develop basic Chinese skills acquired through
school curricula, and to master translation/interpretation techniques for
those planning to engage in occupations relating to China. Students also
develop a deeper understanding on contemporary Chinese economy and politics.
The course opens the door for conducting research on Chinese culture in
general, including the classics, language/literature and ideology. |
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International Relations
Course |
This course is designed for students who mainly take subjects on language/culture,
linguistics and international relations. The curriculum supplements school-level
education that focuses on mastering foreign languages, and switches the
mode of thinking on expertise in applied studies, which cannot be attained
in school-level education. Students develop a general understanding of global
issues, world affairs and regional cultures through in-depth research on
international relations. |
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Global Business Course |
Japan's high-tech products originally sold on the global market without
proactive marketing strategy, but such days are over. The global situation
is expected to grow tough against Japan due to trade friction with the U.S.
and other issues.
Students major in language study and take such subjects as international
relations, global business and economics, and international information.
This course is designed to train professionals who will be responsible for
business administration at overseas companies, or for corporate planning/promotion
of overseas expansion/business schemes. The course also targets students
who wish to become employed at international think tanks or international
companies, and meets the needs of students who want to work as development
consultants or launch venture businesses in the future. The curriculum fosters
aggressive entrepreneurial spirit to seek opportunities in the realm of
international business. |
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Online Language Education
Course |
In various fronts of today's society, it is desired to train professionals
who can build a network environment using PC servers for exchanging information
and presenting documents on the internet regardless whether they are educational
or more general ones. They are also expected to be able to maintain the
network system. Designed to train professionals who can offer language education
programs on the Web, this course emphasizes the importance of communication
in education especially in the network environment. This language-and-communication-based
course combines developments of information exchange system with research
efforts to develop language teaching materials to be used on the system.
Students will discuss the significance of Web-based language education and
conduct research on how to bring the ideas into being. The course also tries
to establish a new pedagogical approach to Web-based language teaching.
This course should also be useful for language teachers who are al ready
teaching foreign languages at high schools or colleges. |
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Master in TESOL
Course |
This MA program focuses on site-based application of learning toward the development of curriculum and teaching methods. Much research has shown that traditional professional development programs have little impact on teachers’ practices because teachers do not have opportunities to apply what they have learned to their own classes. This program features a component of action research so that participants can integrate theory and practice. For this purpose, university teachers will be fully involved in this program, including site-based visits and consultations concerning curriculum development and teaching methods.
1. More information
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English Language
Studies and English Language Pedagogy |
English Linguistics/English Pedagogy covers research on lexicology (analysis
of semantic structures in polysemous words), an approach to the essence
of the foreign language learning process, and sociolinguistics to discuss
issues related to language/culture, coined words and dialects. This program
is designed to train highly skilled researchers and educators on English
Linguistics/English Pedagogy. |
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Japanese Language
Studies and Japanese Language Pedagogy |
This program features research on Japanese linguistics (including research
on verbs), comparative linguistics (including research on vocabulary), and
practical applications (ranging from the creation of standard Japanese to
language policy) based on foregoing research. Efforts are being made to
upgrade this program into the core of Japanese linguistics/Japanese pedagogy
research in Japan in the near future. |
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International Cultural
Studies |
This program covers not only English culture, Japanese culture, and Chinese
culture but also theoretical research on French phonology, thus supplementing
the English Linguistics/English Pedagogy and Japanese Linguistics/Japanese
Pedagogy programs. It is also designed to train globally active, highly
professional businesspersons through broad-based research (mainly focusing
on regional cultures). |
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