Characteristics of specialized education

First, students will gain an overview of the three areas: "Social and Industrial Sector," "Health and Welfare Sector," and "Human and Nature Sector." After that, each student will deepen their learning in the area that interests them most.

In the first year, students acquire the fundamental knowledge and skills necessary for four years of study through introductory lectures and experiential fieldwork. In the second year, they take lectures to acquire specialized knowledge and learn more advanced regional research techniques through practical courses. In the third year, they deepen their knowledge in areas of interest through highly specialized lecture courses and cultivate practical abilities to analyze regional issues in "Regional Community Learning I & II". Finally, in the fourth year, as the culmination of four years of learning, students set their own regional issues and work on the required courses "Comprehensive Research I & II". Students can also deepen their learning according to their interests; for example, those interested in overseas studies can take "Overseas Regional Practicum," and those who want to improve their GIS (Geographic Information System) skills can take "GIS Practicum."

Introduction to Research Areas

In this department, we place great importance on gaining a deep understanding of regions that are made up of diverse elements, learning on-site through fieldwork, and being able to grasp the current situation and issues of the region from the perspective of local residents.To this end, we will understand local communities that are made up of diverse elements from three perspectives: "society and industry," "health and welfare," and "people and nature."

Society and Industry

Students will learn about the relationship between the characteristics of a region and the people who live there, focusing on the formation of coastal towns and rural areas, revitalizing shopping districts and local industries, and issues facing people's social lives.

Health and Well-being

Students will learn about health and welfare that supports the community, including how to promote the health of residents, how to provide lifelong learning for everyone from children to the elderly, issues surrounding local welfare, and how to create a city that is friendly to everyone.

People and Nature

Students will learn about the relationship between nature and people, including the formation of local and global natural environments, their conservation and protection, preparation for natural disasters, and the development of citizenship for the realization of a sustainable society.