Kumamoto University
Graduate School of Social and Cultural Sciences

Doctoral Course - Cultural Sciences
- Degrees Obtained (Doctor of Literature, Doctor of Philosophy)
- Enrollment Capacity/6

Following up on the Master's Course in Cultural Studies, the Doctoral Course in Cultural Studies is designed to introduce academic research developments and produce researchers in the fields of history, archaeology, mythology, linguistics, literature, or any other field combining the aforementioned subjects.

The Cultural Studies major is for those who desire to become researchers, educators, or high-level professionals with advanced research abilities, specialization, and application skills founded on rich academic achievements and those who are capable of pursuing independent research of cultural issues in the fields of history, archaeology, mythology, as well as linguistics and literature of Japan, East Asia, and the West.

This field provides critical examination of study findings and the latest theoretical framework in applied linguistics, second language acquisition, teaching methodology, and curriculum development, in addition to utilizing quantitative and qualitative research methods to study practical use in college-level English language education.

Based on the connections between each of the specialty fields of Japanese history, Asian history, Western history, cultural history, and archaeology that constitute the overall field of historical research, the History Studies course offers subjective investigation and research skills founded on historical data and theories.

In addition to conducting research on the folklore, languages, and literature of Japan and East Asia through fieldwork and studying written material, this course aims to share findings and methods via studies combining the techniques of different cultural spheres.

In addition to expanding specialist knowledge of the culture and linguistics of Britain, America, Germany, and France, this course produces researchers capable of adapting to the latest advancements in Western methodology. In order to accomplish this, the course has, with the inauguration of the new graduate school system, doubled the size of its specialized staff and organized an enriched teaching structure.