Go Forward

Acquire Strength to Face Contemporary Society in “Gaku no Jocomi”

SUDA,Tsutomu

Introduction
The School of Information and Communication is going to characterize itself as “Gaku no Jocomi (the School of Information and Communication for the sake of scholarship and pleasure).” The word “gaku” carries the double meanings of scholarship and pleasure. Essentially, learning is an enjoyable intellectual act, and of course, researching should be creative one. “Gaku no Jocomi” enables our students to experience both.
There are no “correct answers” in studying or researching at university .

Answers vary depending on the individual’s position and recognition. That is diversity. By acknowledging this, a discussion begins. The purpose is to pursue the better answers.
To this end, however, it is necessary to continue thinking and speculating without losing curiosity and to develop cultured minds that can discipline themselves. “Gaku no Jocomi” can help students developing such a mind with three priorities and a customizable curriculum.

Three Priorities
Contemporary society has entered the phase of an advanced information society supported by network technology. On the other hand, it is facing a complex interlocking of various issues: emergency risk management issues revealed by a great earthquake which was followed by a nuclear accident, and the prevalence of novel coronavirus infections; various cybercrimes and information security; and further, growing exclusivism in the age of diversity and coexistence.
In order to tackle these issues of contemporary society, our school adopts interdisciplinary methods from the perspective of information communication, upholding three priorities: (1) understanding the present state of society; (2) diversified and interdisciplinary approach; and (3) creativity and presentation.

Customizable Curriculum
In each of Izumi Campus (First/Second Year) and Surugadai Campus (Third/Fourth Year), special subjects are framed into three categories: Social Sciences / Humanities / Natural Sciences, Social Systems / Culture and Representation, and People and the Environment. Under these categories, subjects such as Sociology, Philosophy, and Urban Information Studies are placed. Although there are some restrictions (compulsory subjects) in the first and second years, subject choice is highly flexible so that students can take the subjects they want to study by customizing their curriculum. In the third and fourth years, there are no compulsory subjects.

Career Paths after Graduation
Our school graduates are involved in diverse fields of endeavor, including mass media / information business, research institutions, education / public administrations, and international institutions. These are only examples. Regarding career choices for our graduates, we hope they make their way in society based on their four years of study at “Gaku no Jocomi,” and live their life fully as professionals in their own paths, unlike those of any other.

Conclusion
Find your own path to take during the four years. It does not mean that you will find a job. It is the path by which you can position yourself in society to contribute to society. We, the faculty of “Gaku no Jocomi,” are researchers in diverse fields. Through lessons and seminars, we will offer you all our support.

Tsutomu Suda, Dean, School of Information and Communication