Curriculum Policy
The Joint Doctoral Program for Sustainable Research collectively and efficiently utilizes educational resources from Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, and the University of Electro-Communications, efficiently and practically incorporating the concept and viewpoint of the United Nations’s “Sustainable Development Goals” (SDGs) to provide a systematic and flexible curriculum under the collaboration of humanities and sciences and train practical and global experts.
SDGs adopted at the 2015 UN Summit indicate priority issues confronting the international community in the areas of economy, society, and environment that should be resolved, as well as a view of the ideal world. They are the development goals that capture a wide range of social and cultural challenges, such as eradication of poverty in developing countries and improvements in areas of health and education, which are imperative tasks to ensure the society is equal, healthy, descent, and stable, regardless of the region in the world.
Sustainability is the key concept, a conceptual expression that calls international society to work together to realize fairness and justice. To achieve such “sustainable development,” the essential elements for SDGs include “economic growth,” “social inclusion,” and “environmental protection”. These fundamental elements are tackled in this program through various approaches in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.
Research and education at the JDPSR are characterized as follows.
- “Basic Studies in Sustainability Research” offers common foundational subjects for acquiring practical theories and techniques based on an international mindset and is globally applicable.
- “Seminar and Laboratory Work for Sustainability Research” offers occasions to acquire advanced expertise and adaptability to diverse values and social environments. The seminars nurture the ability to build consensus flexibly. The seminars nurture the ability to build consensus flexibly.
- “Practicum and Internship” helps refine the ability of logical thinking and practical communication.
- “Seminar and Laboratory Work for Sustainability Research” functions through three aspects: understanding, analysis, and implementation, to effectively support the doctoral research.
- Taking full advantage of the education and research resources of the three universities, the curriculum adopts the triplet structure to achieve an education which is mutually complementary and reinforcing. This structure ensures the research is innovative and contributes to international society. Faculty from the three universities will collectively teach and provide research guidance through the “Basic Studies in the Sustainability Research,” “Seminar and Laboratory Work for Sustainability Research subject,” and “Practicum and Internship“.
- By incorporating extensive practical active learning through seminars, workshops, humanities and sciences collaborative colloquiums and internships that require collaborative work, this program helps students develop practical abilities such as contextualizing, conducting case studies, and facilitating.