Department of Arts and Sciences

Department OverviewAn Interdisciplinary and Comprehensive Study of the Humanities and Social Sciences

In the Department of Arts and Sciences, students can explore humanities and social science subjects. By navigating between the two specializations—"Modern Society" and "History and Philosophy"—students develop a well-balanced intellect and mindset, equipping them to respond flexibly to the challenges of the 21st century and lead independent, meaningful lives.

Specialization

"Modern Society Specialization”: This specialization includes Law and International Relations, as well as Intercultural Communication Studies and Psychology. Students explore contemporary society and culture from multiple perspectives by examining institutional structures and their functions, as well as the thoughts and communication styles of people living in today’s society.

"History and Philosophy" Specialization: This specialization includes Ancient & Medieval Japanese History, Early Modern & Modern Japanese History, Western History, Philosophy and Ethics. Students explore the historical and philosophical foundations that shape modern society and culture, gaining a deeper understanding of their origins and development.

Admission Policy

Goals of the Department

The Department of Arts and Sciences consists of two specializations: "Modern Society" and "History and Philosophy." Through interdisciplinary learning that bridges these fields, students develop a multifaceted understanding of the complexities of societies and cultures.

What is Interdisciplinary Learning? Interdisciplinary learning goes beyond examining a research theme from a single academic perspective. Instead, it integrates multiple viewpoints and methodologies across different fields to explore issues more comprehensively. For example, in this department, students can study global issues like gender, poverty, discrimination, environmental problems, and the rights of Indigenous peoples from diverse perspectives. These diverse perspectives are derived from various academic fields, including intercultural communication, law, politics, culture, psychology, history, and philosophy.

Through this humanities and humanities and social sciences-focused curriculum, students not only deepen their academic knowledge of modern society and culture, but also gain a broader understanding of their historical development and underlying ideologies. Ultimately, the program aims to cultivate individuals who can analyze and navigate the challenges of a new era with well-grounded and well-rounded perspectives.

Strengths and features of the department

Seminars Starting from the First Year Comprehensive Support for Four Years of Learning: From foundational seminars in the first year, to specialized seminars in the second and third years, to graduation research seminars in the fourth year, students experience a variety of seminars. This system allows students to thoroughly explore their areas of interest while also broadening their perspectives by participating in seminars across different fields. Through personalized and detailed guidance, students develop the ability to identify and solve problems—skills that will help make them valuable contributors to society.
Find What You Want to Learn from Over 170 Courses: To cater to a wide range of interests, we offer a diverse selection of humanities and social science courses. Students can explore various fields to discover what interests them, or deepen their expertise by progressing from introductory courses to specialized subjects within a specific field.
Extracurricular Activities to Enrich Student Life: Students and faculty participate together in volunteer activities related to Sapporo’s arts and culture. As part of the department's programs, for example, first-year students may have the opportunity to visit local arts and culture sites, such as art exhibitions or historical monuments. Additionally, during the university festival, activities such as volunteer activity report sessions and department-run cafés are held, actively providing students with opportunities for extracurricular engagement.

Learning Points

A Curriculum That Allows You to Specialize in One Field While Exploring Others
A Well-Structured Curriculum for Systematic Learning

The Department of Arts and Sciences has designed a curriculum that allows students to progress systematically from introductory courses to specialized lectures and seminars. Students have the opportunity to take seminars with the same dedicated faculty member throughout their four years; i.e., from first-year foundational seminars to fourth-year graduation research seminars. This structure enables students to acquire basic knowledge in a specific academic field and gradually advance to specialized research.

Moreover, students are not limited to a single field of study—they can take courses across two specializations or even change their specialization along the way. One of the department's key strengths is that students can explore various academic fields and then make an informed decision about which one they want to focus on over their four years at university.

Acquire Both Foreign Language Skills and Transcultural Knowledge

The Department of Arts and Sciences offers a curriculum that enhances proficiency not only in English but also in languages such as Chinese and Korean. Students can advance their foreign language studies while also learning about the "cultural history" and "cultural theories" of various countries, including China, Korea, the United Kingdom, Germany, and France.
This program enables students to acquire both foreign language skills and knowledge of foreign societies—essential competencies for thriving in the global arena.

Pursue Your Chosen Theme from an Interdisciplinary Perspective
Gain Experiences That Contribute to Your Career Development After Graduation

The Department of Arts and Sciences offers a specialized yet interdisciplinary approach to studying modern society, as well as its historical and philosophical foundations.

In today's increasingly complex and diverse world, interdisciplinary learning has become a vital aspect of modern education. To flourish in such a society, it is crucial that students develop the ability to collaborate with people from diverse backgrounds and critically examine issues from multiple perspectives. A key feature of this department is the opportunity to engage with a wide range of academic disciplines and research methods, including close reading of literature, critical analysis, historical document research, statistical analysis, survey methods using data, fieldwork, and interviews. In an unpredictable and ever-changing society, lifelong learning is essential, and this program provides students with the foundational skills to continue acquiring knowledge even after graduation.

Many graduates apply the knowledge and skills gained from this interdisciplinary learning to pursue successful careers across various fields.