Diploma Policy
The Department of English Literature offers unique subjects designed to strengthen English language skills in a comprehensive manner. In addition, students will acquire the following skills in order to independently explore topics related to the culture, literature, language, and society of the English-speaking world and disseminate their ideas logically and persuasively in English.
- DP 1. Students will have sufficient skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing of English, which are the fundamentals of English proficiency, and accurate and smooth communication, presentation, and written expression skills in English. [University DP 2, 4]
- DP 2. Students will be able to use English to effectively communicate their own opinions to the world, interact with others across cultural and linguistic boundaries, deepen mutual understanding, and collaborate with others to achieve the same goal. [University DP 4]
- DP 3. Students will have the information-gathering skills necessary to quickly gather materials from the appropriate media and to write papers in English through experience in giving presentations and writing papers in English. [University DP 2, 3]
- DP 4. Students will have in-depth specialized knowledge of various aspects of culture (culture, literature, language, and society of the English-speaking world), with a focus on the United Kingdom and the United States. [University DP 1]
- DP 5. Based on the above knowledge, students will acquire the habit of comparing them with various aspects of their own culture and understanding them from a relative perspective. [University DP 3]
- DP 6. Through these experiences, students will equip themselves with the logical thinking ability and sound critical mind that enable them to view themselves and the world from a broad and multifaceted perspective. [University DP 3, 4]
- DP 7. Students will equip themselves with the ability to act as members of international society by integrating the expertise in their specialized field and the education developed through the course of study with the founding spirit of the University. [University DP 2, 4]
Curriculum Policy
Curriculum and Methodology
The Department of English Literature offers English-related basic compulsory subjects in the first year and advanced compulsory subjects in the second year, in order for students to acquire practical English communication skills that can be used in international society. Through an educational system that allows students to learn all four English skills in stages from basic to advanced, the department aims to cultivate a comprehensive and practical command of English. In addition, specialized subjects in six fields (British Literature, British Culture, American Literature, American Culture, English linguistics, and English Education) are offered in order for students to acquire a wide range of learning required of citizens living in an international society.
The subjects offered by the department are as follows:
English Literature Reading Comprehension Subjects
Compulsory subjects are offered for the first and second year students to acquire the skills necessary to read and comprehend various types of English literature, such as criticism, fiction and poetry, with speed and precision.
English Expression Subjects
Practical English expression subjects centered on active learning are offered to prepare students for writing their graduation theses. A basic-level English composition subject for first-year students and an advanced-level academic writing course for second-year students are compulsory, building an educational system that enables all students to write their theses in English without difficulty. In the second year, native English-speaking faculty members teach a subject to cultivate academic presentation skills.
Specialized Subjects
In order to acquire a basic knowledge of the six fields, subjects as an introduction or overview to each field are offered for the first and second year students. For the third and fourth year students, more specialized lectures and exercises are offered to cultivate a broad knowledge of English and the cultures of the English-speaking world, and to provide students with advanced education.
Graduation Research Subjects
In the "Graduation Thesis Seminar" offered for the third and fourth year students, they develop the basic skills acquired in the first and second years, search for information in English, read materials, give oral presentations of research results, and engage in discussions, and finally write a 5,000+ word thesis in English on a research topic of their own choice.
Teacher Training Course
By earning the required credits in the Teacher Training Course, students can obtain a Class I teaching license for junior high and high school (English), and a Class II teaching license for elementary school.
Subjects for the achievement of learning outcomes
- DP 1. English Literature Reading Comprehension Subjects, English Expression Subjects, Graduation Research Subjects
- DP 2. English Expression Subjects, Graduation Research Subjects
- DP 3. English Expression Subjects, Graduation Research Subjects
- DP 4. Specialized Subjects, Graduation Research Subjects
- DP 5. Specialized Subjects, Graduation Research Subjects
- DP 6. Graduation Research Subjects
- DP 7. English Literature Reading Comprehension Subjects, Specialized Subjects, Graduation Research Subjects
Admission Policy
The Department of English Literature is a department, where students study the English language and the Anglo-American cultural sphere (British Literature, British Culture, American Literature, Department of Humanities and Cultures, American Culture, Language, and English Education). Through specialized studies, the department aims to nurture students to become individuals who are able to think logically, and who are able to utilize their English language skills, specialized knowledge, and ability to think critically to play an active role in society.
The department seeks the following types of students.
The types of students the department is seeking
- Students who have a strong interest in English and Anglo-American culture and a volition to learn them in depth.
- Students who have an interest in different cultures and a volition to contribute to society from an international perspective.
- Students who have an intellectual curiosity and inquisitiveness, and a volition to work on study and research independently.
- Students who have a volition to learn about what it means to be human through language, literature, culture, and history.
- Students who have a volition to think about their own way of life and achieve self-realization through literature and cultural and historical heritage.
Academic skills to be mastered by the high school level
- Appropriate command of Japanese and English
- Sufficient knowledge and basic academic skills in Japanese or World History
- Basic ability to research materials on a theme, consider it, and express it in their own words.
Based on the following basic policy, an entrance examination is conducted to judge whether applicants have acquired the above academic skills.
- General entrance examination
In the general entrance examination, it will be judged whether applicants have acquired basic knowledge in the subjects required for each entrance examination category, taking into account their logical thinking and expressive abilities.
- General entrance examination (individual examination)
In a written examination, it will be judged whether applicants have acquired basic knowledge of (i) Japanese, (ii) Foreign Language (English) and (iii) either Geography/History (Japanese or World History) taking into account their logical thinking and expressive abilities. - General entrance examination (using an external English examination)
The English external examination is used to judge whether applicants have a well-balanced and sufficient mastery of the four skills of English. In a written examination, it will also be judged whether applicants have acquired basic knowledge of (i) Japanese and (ii) either Geography/History (Japanese or World History), taking into account their logical thinking and expressive abilities. - General entrance examination (1st round examination (three-subject type or four-subject type) using the Common Test for University Admissions).
Using the results of the Common Test for University Admissions ((i) Japanese, (ii) Foreign Language(English) and (iii) ONE subject from Geography/History, Civics, Mathematics Science and Infomation), it will be judged whether applicants have acquired basic knowledge in each subject and the logical thinking and expressive abilities. - General entrance examination (1st round examination (five-subject type) using the Common Test for University Admissions)
Using the results of the Common Test for University Admissions ((i) Japanese, (ii) a Foreign Language (English), (iii) TWO subjects from Geography/History, Civics and Science, and (iv) ONE subject from Mathematics and Information), it will be judged whether applicants have acquired basic knowledge in each subject and logical thinking and expressive abilities. - General entrance examination (2nd round examination using the Common Test for University Admissions)
The same policy is applied as that for the 1st round examination (three-subject type or four-subject type) using the Common Test for University Admissions.
- General entrance examination (individual examination)
- Comprehensive entrance examination
In the first round of the entrance examination, the applicant's efforts at high school, etc. Will be reviewed by using the application form to comprehensively judge the applicant's basic knowledge and skills, initiative and cooperative attitude that the applicant should have acquired by the end of high school, etc. Their independence and logical thinking and expressive abilities will be judged through a task common to all departments. In the second round, applicants will be evaluated on their basic English knowledge in a written examination, and English and Japanese communication skills in an oral examination. Through the above review and examination, a comprehensive judgment will be made.
- Entrance examination by recommendation
Applicants recommended by the principal of a high school, etc. will be judged to have the basic academic skills that should have been acquired by the end of high school. In addition, through the review of application documents and an interview (oral examination), applicants' motivation for study and research, ability to express themselves, communication skills, and cooperative attitude will be comprehensively judged.
- Entrance examination by recommendation (from Senior High School affiliated with JWU)
Applicants recommended by the principal of the Senior High School affiliated with JWU will be comprehensively judged based on the application documents and interview. - Entrance examination by recommendation (from designated schools/partner schools)
Applicants recommended by the principal of the high school designated by the department (designated school/partner school) will be comprehensively judged based on the application documents and oral examination. - Entrance examination by recommendation (general recommendation)
Applicants recommended by the principal of a high school, will be judged to have logical thinking and expressive abilities in an essay and communication, expression, and the ability to participate in discussion with others in an oral examination. The application documents will also be reviewed to make a comprehensive judgment.
- Entrance examination by recommendation (from Senior High School affiliated with JWU)
- International students
Applicants will be judged on whether they have sufficient basic academic skills through the examination of two subjects (“Japan as a Foreign Language” and “Japan and the World”) of Examination for Japanese University Admission (EJU). The application documents and oral examination will be used to judge their volition to study, initiative, Japanese language ability, communication skills, ability to participate in discussion with others, and basic knowledge of the subjects covered by the Department of English Literature.
- Transfer and bachelor's admission
For those who have graduated from universities, junior colleges, and technical colleges (including prospective graduates), and those who are currently enrolled in other universities, an essay examination will be conducted to judge whether they have logical thinking and expressive abilities, as well as specialized knowledge equivalent to the second or third year of university study. Through application documents and an oral examination, applicants will be judged comprehensively on their volition to study, initiative, communication skills, ability to participate in discussion with others, and basic knowledge of the subjects covered by the Department of English Literature.
- Working people
An essay examination will be conducted to judge whether they have logical thinking and expressive abilities. Through application documents and an oral examination, applicants will be judged comprehensively on their volition to study, initiative, communication skills, ability to participate in discussion with others, and basic knowledge of subjects covered by the Department of English Literature.
