Curriculum

　　Beginning with students enrolled in the 2008 academic year, Nara Women’s University Faculty of Letters has introduced a “course system” instead of the previous “major system”.

　　Under the course system, students decide before the end of their 1st year which of three departments they wish to join: the Department of History, Sociology and Geography; the Department of Language and Culture; or the Department of Human Sciences. Each department is divided into several courses, and students formulate their study plans in accordance with the course they choose, but it is possible to change courses during their 2nd year.

　　Before the end of their 2nd year, students decide which course of study they wish to pursue. In accordance with their chosen course, students decide their research topic, which can lead to their graduation thesis.

Faculty of Letters: From Admission to Graduation

[Admission]

[1st year]

“University Common Subjects”: Nearly all liberal arts, language, and physical education subjects may be taken from the student’s 1st year

“Specialized Education Subjects”: The majority of “Faculty Common Subjects” may be taken from the student’s 1st year

Students should first of all decide which department they wish to join while thinking about the course they wish to study.

[2nd year]

Continue taking “University Common Subjects” and “Faculty Common Subjects”

The majority of “Department Subjects” (Readings, Special Studies, Practices, Seminars, etc.) from the student’s 2nd year

Students choose the course of study they wish to pursue

[3rd year]

Students search for their own research topic while taking subjects in accordance with the study methods for each course

[4th year]

Students write and submit their thesis, and undergo an oral thesis examination

[Graduation]

Most class subjects are open to all students studying in the department and the faculty, not limited to the students studying in that particular course. Regardless of the department/course a student chooses, she is able to take a diverse range of subjects in accordance with her interest.

This new form of curriculum allows students to find their own research interests and themes as they acquire a broader perspective and deepen their specialization. Our course system assists students’ independent learning effectively.