I. Goal of the Graduate Program in Global Humanities

We are living in a highly complicated age in which the progress of globalization is leading to growing global unification. At the same time, this process of globalization is also revealing the pluralized nature of global society, characterized by differences of ethnicity, gender, class and so on. In times like these the ability to understand and to communicate with others in an interactive way while positioning ourselves against the global background holds great importance. The goal of the Graduate Program on Global Humanities is to foster this kind of ability and to educate people who will be able to contribute to the realization of a pluralist global society through their active participation in various social activities.

II. Institutional Features

1. Cross-departmental research and education
   The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences of the University of Tokyo is home to four departments specializing in humanities and social sciences; Language and Information Sciences, Interdisciplinary Cultural Studies, Area Studies, and Advanced Social and International Studies. The Graduate Program in Global Humanities is a special program which has been created cross-departmentally through the cooperation of these four departments. Students in the program will belong to one of the four departments, thereby gaining advanced disciplinary training while obtaining the credits required by the cross-departmental program.
2. Independent research and education
   Students in the Graduate Program in Global Humanities are required to conduct individual research leading to deeper understanding of global issues while gaining advanced disciplinary training within their primary department. To this end the program has set up independent classes allowing students to learn how best to examine the emerging problems of global society from the perspective of a global pluralist.

III. Degree process

1. MA course
   In the master's course of this program students are expected to complete all the requirements within an average period of two years by cultivating specialized knowledge and research skills through course work, and through the writing of a Master's thesis or an equivalent 'research paper on a specified subject'. During the second term of the first year, students joint a 'thesis/subject research seminar' in which they will receive individual direction on thesis writing. Several research workshops will be held to assess the advancement of their projects. This system will assist students in finishing the Master's thesis or research paper.
2. Ph.D. course
   In the Ph.D. course, students are expected to complete all the requirements within an average period of three years by cultivating specialized knowledge and research skills through course work, as well as through the writing of a Ph.D. thesis. During the second term of the first year, students join ‘the Ph.D. thesis seminar' in which they will receive individual direction on thesis writing. A number of colloquia will also be held to assist the students successfully to conduct their research. This system will assist students in the successful completion of the thesis and in obtaining the degree.

IV. Degrees

Those who successfully complete this program will be awarded a Master's (Global Studies) or a Ph.D. (Global Studies) Degree.

V. Entrance Exam

The Graduate Program in Global Humanities holds its entrance exam separately from those of the four departments mentioned earlier. The program is actively seeking the participation of working people as students. It looks forward to welcoming individuals who are looking for an opportunity to play a leading role in realizing a truly globalized world which allows for a wide variety of visions.