Kobe Jogakuin University takes the plunge at a major turning point, its 150th anniversary.
Thoughts on reorganization and name change

　``As you know, the university is currently in an extremely difficult situation.As we look ahead to the 150th anniversary of our founding, we have been considering what to do as a university going forward.Therefore, our basic stance is to We will never deviate from the founding spirit and ideals of our university without changing the three pillars of education that our university has cherished for many years: ``Christianism,'' ``a spirit of international understanding,'' and ``liberal arts education.'' "We have come to the conclusion that we should carry out reforms," ​​said President Nakano.

　"In carrying out this reorganization and name change, our university's theme was 'visualization of educational content.'Fortunately, our university's education has been highly evaluated, especially by high school teachers. When communicating about our university to high school students, we have heard that it is difficult to understand what kind of education we actually provide based on the names of faculties and departments.For example, the Department of English Literature. Although we are learning English in English and doing things like interpreting, translating, and understanding other cultures, we are unable to convey the content properly.Also, our university has a faculty in the Faculty of Human Sciences. There is also a science department called the ``Department of Environmental and Biosciences,'' but one problem was that it was difficult for people to notice that there was a science department even when searching online. For this reason, we have decided to reorganize and rename our university with the theme of ``visualizing educational content'' in order to add new challenges and make learning at our university more advanced. ”

　Based on the school's founding spirit and philosophy, which have been carefully preserved for 150 years, we have set the course in the direction of visualizing the content of learning in an easy-to-understand manner for high school students, and adding new, never-before-seen experiments to the content. Kobe Jogakuin University. Next, let's take a look at the specific details of the reorganization and name change.

What is learning at [Faculty of International Studies] to open in April 2024?

　We asked him about the differences between the new Faculty of International Studies (Department of English, Department of Global Studies) and the previous Faculty of Letters, Department of English Literature.

　"In order to visually and clearly demonstrate that we offer a wide range of learning, we have decided to become independent from the Faculty of Letters, change the name of the faculty to the 'Faculty of International Studies,' and change the departments to the 'Department of English' and 'Global Studies. We have reorganized the curriculum so that students can learn more deeply and effectively about the areas they want to study in each department, and we have prepared classes that are more active and encourage students to explore on their own.

　Currently, in the Department of English Literature, all students study the three fields of language, literature, and global studies in parallel while exploring their own research fields and themes. The basic English proficiency acquisition is the only common subject for both departments, and other than that, students can begin studying specialized subjects required in each department from the first year.

　Specifically, the ``English Department'' focuses on language and literature, studying them in English, and in order to be able to think and act based on what they have learned, we provide students with opportunities such as actually performing theatrical works and learning sign language from a language perspective. We have created a new class that includes many active learning elements.

　The Department of Global Studies emphasizes the learning that transcends differences, which is necessary for coexistence with people from different backgrounds, and has expanded the range of field study-related subjects that have been offered in the past. We also offer literacy-related courses with a view to interacting with students and overseas activities, as well as co-studying with overseas universities. ”

　The Interpretation and Translation Program, which is mainly a major subject in the Department of English (partially a major subject in the Department of Global Studies), incorporates AI, which has become a hot topic in recent years, and allows you to improve your English skills while making smart use of AI, which is unprecedented. It seems like a new way to learn.

What is learning at the [Faculty of Psychology], which will open in April 2024?

　Next, we asked him about the differences between the new Faculty of Psychology (Department of Psychology) and the former Faculty of Human Sciences (Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences).

　“At the Faculty of Psychology, we will further enhance the curriculum necessary for taking the exams for the two national qualifications related to psychology: Certified Psychologist and Mental Health and Social Welfare Specialist. In addition to the "clinical psychology field (corresponding to the certified psychologist curriculum)" and the "behavioral science field," we will expand to three new fields: the "mental health and welfare field (corresponding to the mental health worker training course)."

　There are only a limited number of psychology departments that offer both the certified psychologist and mental health worker curriculums, and most of them require students to choose which course to choose upon enrollment. However, at our university's Department of Psychology, students learn about the differences in specialty between the two qualifications after enrolling, and then choose one in their third year.

　In addition, we will broadly study the three areas starting from the basics, acquire psychological methods, and prepare many experiments, training, and exercises for research, application, and practice, and will develop the ability to use psychology that cannot be acquired through classroom lectures. We have enriched our classes to help you acquire the skills you need. ”

　A new building containing several state-of-the-art psychology laboratories is scheduled to be completed in 2025. New experimental equipment has been installed in the laboratory, and new subjects have been introduced so that students can learn how to objectively analyze the workings of the mind behind human behavior based on data, such as conducting experiments on interpersonal communication and cognition. The data science education provided is substantial.

What is the learning of [Music Career Design Major] to be established in April 2024?

　We spoke to him about learning at the newly established "Faculty of Music, Department of Music (Music Career Design Major)."

　``The newly established ``Music Career Design Major'' in the Department of Music, Faculty of Music, will provide students with the ability to immediately contribute to people and society through music in various applied music fields where music is needed in society. It was created with the aim of training human resources who will become Focusing on the three fields of "music education," "music business," and "lifelong education," we will think about what kind of value music can create in society, and while acquiring the basic skills to interact with society at large through music, we will prepare for the future. We will design a career that will connect you.

　In addition to the ``Music Internship Program,'' where you can acquire practical skills at music-related companies and government agencies that the Department of Music collaborates with, we also offer a wide variety of programs such as music instructors, accompanists, music department teachers, early childhood music teachers, and performers. Through practical programs such as the ``Music Career Design Program,'' students will be able to systematically acquire the necessary expertise and make choices according to their interests and interests, building a music career that will lead to the future. ”

　Through active learning in small-group specialized seminars and practical training with a high degree of freedom in which students can choose according to their own needs, students will be able to assess their own adaptability and gain the ability to utilize their favorite music in society.

What is learning at [Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences (tentative name/planned)] to open in April 2025?

　Differences between learning at the Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences (Department of Life and Environmental Sciences) *tentative name and establishment planned, which will be established in April 150 to celebrate its 2025th anniversary, from the previous Faculty of Human Sciences (Department of Environmental and Biosciences) We talked about this.

　"In order to develop human resources who can contribute to building a sustainable society, the new faculty will provide learning centered on the four fields of ``environmental science,'' ``life science,'' ``information science,'' and ``science communication.'' At the same time, students will develop the ability to utilize data science to create new value from the results obtained through experiments and fieldwork in each field.

　A major change in the new faculty is that students will now be able to study architecture. Our aim is to position architecture as an environmental field, and to treat it as a way to think about the environment and as a form of education.

　In the Faculty of Architecture, the focus is on learning about architecture, but in the new faculty, students can systematically learn about architecture, such as health and the environment. Furthermore, the school buildings themselves are an excellent environment and are designated as important cultural properties, and one of the features of the faculty is that the field of studying architecture is nearby.

　Even for people who are interested in biology and environmental issues but have given up on studying in the sciences because they are in the liberal arts, we will provide specialized learning unique to the sciences, and develop the analytical, observational, numerical, and logical skills that are essential for learning. The aim is to develop thinking skills and develop human resources who can play an active role in society. ”

　The characteristics of learning in science are analytical ability, observational ability, numerical ability, and logical thinking. It seems that the new faculty will be able to acquire this ability, which will definitely be useful even after entering the workforce, from the basics.

The future of learning that Kobe Jogakuin University aims to achieve

　``When we live in an era where the future is uncertain and we don't know what will happen, we tend to become self-centered and think that ``I'm fine as long as I can.'' I believe that what we must value is the ability to empathize.And in order to acquire the ability to empathize, it is first necessary to acquire knowledge and intelligence about a wide range of things through studies such as liberal arts. In addition, in an age where we are constantly overflowing with information, we are becoming more aware of the need for field studies and other experiences in order to confirm whether biased information is true or not. At our university, we are increasing opportunities for field studies to hone empathy through various programs in collaboration with surrounding local governments.

　Our university was founded by two American missionaries as a place of learning to support the success of women. Although 2 years have passed since our founding, there is no longer a need for a place of learning exclusively for women. Unfortunately, there are still many factors that hinder women's success in the world. Some students enter our university with the intention of attending a women's university, while others do not. However, after studying for four years, all the students are full of confidence, and I think it is a characteristic of our university that there are many opportunities to hear them say, ``I'm glad I went to Jogakuin.'' In fact, from an early age, we all grow up in an environment that is dominated by social gender differences without us even realizing it. For this reason, I feel that our university's environment, where we genuinely accept each other and realize that we can show our true selves without being bound by gender etc., has a great impact on our students.

　Personally, I believe that our mission as a women's university will end when we reach a society where women are no longer discriminated against for being ``feminine.'' Until such a wonderful society is realized, I believe that we still need to play a role as a women's university. ”

　While boasting convenient transportation access, being just 15 minutes from Osaka Umeda and Kobe Sannomiya, the campus is dotted with buildings that have been designated as important cultural properties, and is blessed with a rich natural environment with a flowing river and many wild birds. Kobe Jogakuin University. The university, whose graduates are still active in all sorts of fields and whose educational content continues to be highly praised, is reorganizing and renaming the university on the occasion of its 150th anniversary. This major change is likely to bring a breath of fresh air to high school students' university choices.