Diploma Policy
In order to create together a tomorrow in which the happiness and peace of people in various positions are realized against the backdrop of a diverse and significantly changing society, Japan Women’s University conducts education and research activities in line with the University’s educational philosophy (the Three Principles of Education) to support the discovery by students of their own roles and their growth as people who continue to pursue learning throughout their lives with a sense of curiosity and determination. The University Diploma Policy (DP) shall be that through their learning and daily lives at the University the students equip themselves with the following abilities.
- DP1 Steadfast knowledge and a cultured mind to live a full life in a changing society
- Specialized knowledge, methods and skills
- Broad knowledge and a cultured mind going beyond specialized areas
- DP2 Basic abilities to create new value and new knowledge
- Logical thinking ability
- Information collection skills/critical verification ability
- Problem identification ability
- Presentation skills
- Ability to deepen thinking and get across opinions during discussions
- DP3 Respect for diversity and ability to cooperate
- Knowledge about diversity
- Ability to empathize with others, ability to create bonds with other people
- Ability to cooperate to achieve goals
- DP4 Ability to live and act with a global perspective
- Knowledge about global problems, and ability to approach them as relevant to oneself
- Communication skills crossing borders
- DP5 Attitude of voluntarily continuing lifelong learning
- Ability to examine oneself, set targets, and learn and act in order to reach them
DP for Fundamental Subject Group
At the University, in line with the educational philosophy in order to endow students with basic knowledge and skills as well as a broadly cultured mind common to both Faculties and Departments, a Fundamental Subject Group is provided. Through the study of these, all the students at the University become equipped with the basic ability required to attain the goals in the University Diploma Policy and those stipulated in the departmental diploma policies. The learning outcomes students are equipped with through the Fundamental Subject Group are as follows.
Special Seminar & Lectures in Practical Ethics
- Students will be able to understand the educational philosophy and founding spirit of the University, independently deepen their considerations about their own way of life and future, set self-driven goals, and learn and act towards realizing those goals. [University DP3, DP5]
JWU Career Subjects and JWU Social Collaboration Subjects
- Students will equip themselves with the knowledge, skills and attitude required to live independently both socially and occupationally.
- Students will acquire the basic knowledge and techniques to deal with social issues and be able to cooperate with a diversity of people. [University DP3, DP4, DP5]
Basic Courses
Foreign Language (compulsory English)
- Students will improve their abilities in reading and writing. In addition, they will be able to collect the requisite information and make presentations in English.
- Students will deepen their understanding of the culture and society with the English language in the background, and be able to communicate in English using that understanding. [University DP2, DP4]
Foreign Languages (German, French, Chinese, Korean)
- Students will understand the basic grammar of German, French, Chinese or Korean, and become able to communicate at a basic level according to situations.
- Students will deepen their understanding of the cultural backgrounds of German, French, Chinese or Korean. [University DP3, DP4]
Computer Literacy
- Students will gain basic knowledge regarding computer science and computer literacy, and be able to sort, analyze, visualize and express data using that knowledge. In addition, they will be able to make decisions based on information ethics. [University DP1, DP2]
Physical Exercises
- Students will be able to acquire the knowledge and skills to conduct appropriate exercise.
- Students will be able to gain a deep understanding of the significance of exercising throughout life.
- Students will be able to enjoy exercising with other people, and attempt to maintain and boost their physical and mental health and improve their physical strength. [University DP1, DP3, DP5]
Liberal Arts Subjects
- Students will gain a wide range of knowledge regardless of their specialty, and their interest in areas outside their specialized area will be heightened.
- Students will be equipped with the listening ability required to live a full life, and the volition to be independent. [University DP1, DP2]
Curriculum Policy
Curriculum
The curriculum of Japan Women’s University consists of two Subject Groups: the university-wide Fundamental Subject Group and the Specialized Subject Group. The subjects are arranged so that students complete them stage by stage from their first year to their fourth year.
The University students complete most of the subjects in the Fundamental Subject Groups during their first year, in which they are equipped with the basic abilities regarding the learning outcomes of both the University Diploma Policy and the departmental diploma policies. Furthermore, from their first to fourth year, through the completion of their department’s Specialized Subjects, the students equip themselves with the learning outcomes of the University Diploma Policy and the departmental diploma policies and further improve their attainment levels. Some of the subjects in the university-wide Fundamental Subject Group require four years of study for completion.
The subjects in the university-wide Fundamental Subject Group provided by the University are as follows.
Special Seminar & Lectures in Practical Ethics
Students study the University’s founding spirit and its educational philosophy (Three Principles of Education). They independently deepen their observations of their own way of life and future, are equipped with an attitude of trying to put into practice the content of the Three Principles, and heighten their awareness about lifelong learning. These lectures are given to the first-year students, arranged into small-group classes and conducted in an active learning format.
JWU Career Subjects and JWU Social Collaboration Subjects
The JWU Career Subjects are designed for students to equip themselves with the requisite knowledge, skills and attitude towards social and occupational independence. The JWU Social Collaboration Subjects are subjects in which students practically approach various community and social problems and equip themselves with a robust action-taking ability for exercising their strengths in society. These Subjects are offered not only in the form of lecturers but also of seminars that include dialog with professional workers and practical initiatives pursued in collaboration with local government and businesses.
Basic Courses
In order to equip students with a cultured mind in both physical and mental terms, the Basic Courses are composed of Foreign Languages, Computer Literacy and Physical Exercises. Not only do these provide an academic foundation for studying the specialized subjects in the departments that students are affiliated to they also equip them with basic abilities for living as a member of contemporary society.
Foreign Language (compulsory English)
Students complete the course over the space of one year during their first year in order to acquire basic abilities in communicating and giving presentation in English.
Foreign Languages (German, French, Chinese, Korean)
On this course students learn German, French, Chinese or Korean. They study a language for one year during their first year in small group classes. The students are in principle put in the class of the language that they wish to learn.
Computer Literacy
This course is for the study of the basics of information science and computer literacy required in contemporary society, and to learn in a practical manner about information ethics. It is completed over the space of half a year during students’ first year.
Physical Exercises
An appropriate level of exercise is essential in order to maintain and improve health throughout life. The students complete the course in their first year in order to deepen their appreciation of this and to nurture the ability to take part in sports and physical exercise.
Liberal Arts Subjects
The subjects are composed of a variety of different academic fields, and the classes are provided in a lecture format in order to equip students with a wide range of knowledge outside of their specialized fields. They include classes centering on active learning held in small groups. The subjects are divided into three groups of themes: “Diverse societies and human respect,” “Exploring the providence of nature,” and “Lineage of knowledge and culture,” and students are obliged to complete subjects from each of the three theme groups.
Among the above subjects of the Fundamental Subject Group, with regard to the Foreign Languages (English, German, French, Chinese and Korean) and Computer Literacy, related advanced subjects are also provided to the students across all departments who wish to acquire higher-level abilities or sophisticated knowledge and skills. The completion of the courses enables students to acquire knowledge and skills surpassing the learning outcome levels indicated in the Diploma Policy.
In the diploma programs of each department, basic subjects and specialized subjects and programs are provided based on academic areas of the departments. These “Departmental Subjects” are systematically studied each year for a four-year period. In addition to in a lecture format, many of them are provided in a seminar format consisting mainly of active learning or format where students conduct experiments. Furthermore, some departments provide experience-based programs.
All students at the University are required to complete a graduation thesis/graduation research/graduation work (one of which is designated or chosen according to the student’s department). The graduation thesis/graduation research/graduation work are the summation of the students’ four years of study and simultaneously an opportunity for them to organically equip themselves with the various strengths stipulated in the University Diploma Policy.
Furthermore, immediately after admission university-wide first-year experience program is conducted with the objective of introducing an understanding regarding study at the University and lifelong learning. In this educational program, students set targets for the future while looking back on the knowledge, skills and attitude that they have thus far nurtured prior to admission, and put into practice initiatives giving them an awareness of self-development using the MyStep@JWU study portfolio. The setting of and reflection on targets using the portfolio are continued throughout the four years at the University, and linked in with “an attitude of learning throughout life.”
Correspondence Course
A diploma policy is formulated by each of the departments that are affiliated to the Correspondence Course, and a curriculum aiming for its attainment is provided. The subjects provided by the Correspondence Course are as below.
- Basic Courses (Foreign Languages)
- Basic Courses (Computer Literacy)
- Basic Courses (Physical Exercises)
- Liberal Arts Subjects
- Faculty-wide Subjects for Faculty of Human Sciences and Design
- Departmental Subjects (required/optional)
Required seminars are held for students in their final year, making the final touches to their studies. It is possible to take a Graduation Thesis as an optional course. In addition, students who wish to study them are provided with courses related to the teaching profession. Each department’s curriculum is composed of Textbook-based (home study) Subjects and Schooling (face-to-face instructions or classes taken online) Subjects and an education system for correspondence courses is in place.
Subjects for students to achieve the learning outcomes shown in the Diploma Policy.
The learning outcomes shown in the University Diploma Policy can be gained by completing both the subject of the university-wide Fundamental Subject Group and the subjects provided by departments. All of the subjects provided by the University are configured with their own individual attainment targets. These attainment targets are all linked to the University Diploma Policy and the diploma policies indicated by each department. Note that the correspondence with the Departmental Subjects and the departmental diploma policies are shown in the curriculum map.
The learning outcomes indicated in the departmental diploma policies are based on their specialized fields, and specifically describe the University Diploma Policy in line with the departments’ own educational targets and policies. Therefore, although each departmental diploma policy is linked to the learning outcomes of the University Diploma Policy, the way in which they are linked may differ from one department to another. These differences are simply a reflection of the characteristics of the fields of the University’s departments and their educational policies.
The following shows through what subjects and initiatives the University Diploma Policy is achieved. Refer to the separate sections regarding the details of learning outcomes shown in each diploma policy.
University DP1 Steadfast knowledge and a cultured mind to live a full life in a changing society
In addition to Liberal Arts Subjects and Computer Literacy in the university-wide Fundamental Subject Group, students equip themselves with these learning outcomes through the completion of the Basic Courses, Specialized Subjects, seminars and experiments offered by each department.
University DP2 Basic abilities to create new value and new knowledge
In addition to Liberal Arts Subjects and Computer Literacy in the university-wide Fundamental Subject Group, students also equip themselves with these learning outcomes through initiatives such as the collection of information, issue setting, logical thought, and discussions and presentations in the various subjects and programs provided by departments.
Students organically equip themselves with DP1 and DP2 through the graduation thesis/graduation research/graduation work conducted in their fourth year.
University DP3 Respect for diversity and ability to cooperate
Students equip themselves with these learning outcomes through the lectures, group work, presentations and experience-based learning provided in the Special Seminar & Lectures in Practical Ethics,* Foreign Languages (German, French, Chinese or Korean), JWU Career Subjects, and JWU Social Collaboration Subjects* in the university-wide Fundamental Subject Group. Depending on the department, subjects are provided for students to further deepen their understanding of diversity, and subjects and programs to further enhance their abilities to empathize with others and cooperate.
University DP4 Ability to live and act with a global perspective
Through completing Foreign Language (compulsory English) and Foreign Languages (German, French, Chinese or Korean) in the university-wide Fundamental Subject Group, students acquire communication skills in foreign languages.
Through completing the JWU Career Subjects and JWU Social Collaboration Subjects,* students discover issues and problems related to life, society, community and the world, and cultivate the ability to approach them as relevant to themselves. Through subjects conducting practical initiatives, the ability of students to act is also fostered.
Furthermore, through Departmental Subjects and Liberal Arts Subjects, students come to understand that people’s lifestyles and social activity are linked to global-level problems.
DP5 Attitude of voluntarily continuing lifelong learning
Students are equipped with such an attitude not only through the Special Seminar & Lectures in Practical Ethics,* Physical Exercises, the JWU Career Subjects, and JWU Social Collaboration Subjects,* but also through all sorts of initiatives and learning including their graduation thesis/graduation research/graduation work. With the maintenance and improvement of their own health as the basis, students see themselves becoming newly equipped with and improving their knowledge, skills, ability to think, identify problems and cooperate, and foster an attitude of lifelong learning to reach their goals over their four years at the University.
*These are available only on the Correspondence Course
Admission Policy
In order to create together a tomorrow in which the happiness and peace of people in various positions are realized against the backdrop of a diverse and significantly changing society, Japan Women’s University believes that it is important that each and every person finds their own role and continues to pursue learning throughout their lives with a sense of curiosity and determination. The University conducts education and research activities in line with the University’s educational philosophy (the Three Principles of Education) to support the growth of such people. Under this educational policy, the University aims to attain its educational targets through university-wide basic educational programs for equipping students with basic strengths and broadly cultured minds, and diploma programs in each specialized field.
Japan Women’s University seeks students equipped with the basic knowledge, ability of expression and thought shown in the Admissions Policy of each department, and have the volition to independently approach things while respecting others and mutually communicating.
