
SHIRAI Satoshi
- Specialization
- Social Thought / Political Science
Peace studies is an interdisciplinary academic field where students examine how peace can be achieved, either as negative peace, through the absence of violence, or as positive peace, where people have the freedom to explore and demonstrate their potential.
Gender is no longer bound by its role as a social and cultural construct. Instead, it is now seen as something that actively shapes the very fabric of society and culture. In Gender Studies, students gain an understanding of the development of gender theory and its relationship to contemporary thinking.
The first year focuses on acquiring the foundational skills necessary for studying at university. Students participate in small-group classes to build the essential language skills necessary for humanities studies¡ªreading, speaking, and writing. They also gain experience analyzing topics from multiple angles¡ªhistory, literature, society, international studies, and Japanese culture¡ªnurturing a flexible and open-minded perspective.
Foreign language study is also a key focus, fostering cross-cultural understanding.
Languages Offered: English, Korean, French, Spanish, and Chinese
With guidance from faculty members, students carefully design their long-term fieldwork experience. In the second semester, they leave campus for six months of hands-on fieldwork. Through this experience, students cultivate independent thinking, practical skills, and the ability to communicate their findings effectively. The confidence and skills they gain here will be invaluable no matter where their future takes them.
As students compile their research reports from long-term fieldwork, they also gain expertise and research methodologies through courses in their respective fields. They also participate in small-group seminars where they analyze texts, present research, and engage in discussions on key themes. By exchanging ideas and engaging with diverse perspectives, students refine their thinking and deepen their understanding.
Students write a graduation thesis as the culmination of their four years of study, presenting their completed theses at the Graduation Work and Thesis Exhibition in February, just before graduation in March. This exhibition offers a valuable opportunity to receive objective feedback from both within and outside the university.
Being Both A Mother and a Woman: Family Through the Fashion of the ¡°Millennial Mom¡±
The ¡°millennial mom¡± is a familiar concept in today¡¯s media. She is young and fashionable, and at first glance, it can be difficult to tell that she is a mother. This trend largely reflects increasing individualization among younger Japanese women. The paper discusses the impact of individualization on fashion for mothers and the role of ¡°millennial mom¡± fashion in family life today.
Studying Ethnic Culture: Mystical Tourism and the Fascination with Sacred Objects
As tourists, we are often interested in discovering the unusual. This interest is usually focused on ethnic peoples and culture, with sacred items in these communities a particular source of interest to some tourists. Based on the current tourism commodification of two ethnic cultures, Thai ethnic minorities and the Amish, this paper explores our desire to rediscover the ¡°sacred¡± through tourism at a time when our society is becoming increasingly secular.
Overcoming Barriers in the Awamori Market in Okinawa and Mainland Japan - Exploring the Challenges of Marketing Awamori Outside Okinawa
Shipments of awamori, Okinawa¡¯s local alcoholic beverage, outside the prefecture rose sharply in the late 1990s and early 2000s. There are many differences in the way awamori is distributed compared to shochu. Liquor distributors in mainland Japan tend to think of awamori as a difficult product to market. This thesis analyzes various reasons for this: the grip of Okinawan wholesalers on the market, special liquor tax measures associated with US military rule, and the reversion of political control of Okinawa to the mainland, as well as differences in consumers¡¯ alcoholic beverage preferences in mainland Japan and Okinawa.
Career Opportunities