2nd term of doctoral course

1. Structure of the Graduate School

Material affluence has been achieved through the sophistication of science technology. In contrast, spiritual fulfillment has been slipping away in modern society. Material affluence also does not necessarily assure a healthy and safe life.
Therefore, in order to achieve an affluent society in both the material and the spiritual sense, revitalization of traditional culture and the creation of a new culture and living environment are urgently demanded.
For this reason, the Graduate School of Human Cultures has established two divisions: the Division of Regional Studies and the Division of Life Style Studies, continuing from the 1st term (Master's course), in order to research cultural/social environment and life space, household goods, and human relations of various regional societies, and to train human resources who comprehensively review the environment, space, goods and relations from various perspectives in both human/social science and natural science.

(1) Division of Regional Studies

The division conducts educational research on how regional society should be in order to adapt to a new age. Times are changing. While globalization is progressing, the need for local initiative is called for. The goal of this division is to review how regional society should be in these difficult times. For this goal, the division therefore establishes three courses: the Research Course in Japanese Regional Culture, the Research Course in Regional Studies of Asia, and the Research Course in Modernology and Conservation.
The Research Course in Japanese Regional Culture conducts educational research on Japanese culture and society focusing on the Ohmi region. The Ohmi region where Lake Biwa lies possesses both universality and regional originality as a cultural corridor. The course focuses on the analysis of these relations.
The Research Course in Regional Studies of Asia aims to analyze characteristics of the Ohmi region and Japan from the Asian perspective. Neighboring regions such as Korea (the Korean Peninsula) and Mongolia are the main subjects of comparison.
The Research Course in Modernology and Conservation clarifies relations between regional historic environment and culture/society through a modernological examination and regional developmental methods. Educational research to seek the method for conservation and regional development is also implemented.

(2) Division of Life Style Studies

The division conducts advanced educational research on issues concerning life style and human relations from standpoint of life science and human science. By studying closely the relationship between life and society through the whole life cycle of humans from the perspective of life and design, food and health, and human relations, the division conducts educational research to create truly fulfilled healthy and comfortable life culture and living environment. The Course of Life Style design, the Course of Health and Nutritional Sciences and the Course of Human Relations have been established for this purpose.
The Course in Life Style Design implements educational research for the purpose of designing a healthy life style and living situation for the whole living environment such as housing environment from academic standpoint and tries to create a new life design.
The Course in Health and Nutritional Sciences conducts theoretical and practical research from a wide perspective in issues concerning life science, which covers everything from the basics to the application of food and nutrition. The course addresses issues from a comprehensive viewpoint such as to scientifically review wisdom and culture of life on food, and conducts research for the achievement of a healthy life.
The Research Course in Human Relations conducts educational research to pursue from education, psychology, sociology, linguistics, cultural anthropology standpoint, concerning the development and formation of humans, the mechanisms of language and communication, the mechanisms of human behavior, and human relations and comparative culture of modern society. The research analyzes structural/functional characteristics of human relations in socially desirable living environments.

2. Features of Education and Research