HOME＞Graduate Course in English Language and Literature
Features of the Course｜Advising System and Research Environment｜
Presentation of Research Findings
Features of the Course
 The Graduate Course in English Language and Literature does not limit research fields to traditional English literature studies as represented by “English literature,” “American literature,” and “English linguistics.” We have also actively dealt with research areas which deviate considerably from the conventional framework, such as Irish literature, Indian English literature, English and American literature from the perspective of social history, American urban theories, women’s history, theoretical linguistics, cognitive linguistics, and the teaching of English as a foreign language. Please take a look at the “Introduction to Faculty Members.” All of our faculty members have their own specific research areas. At the same time, without sticking to such narrow study fields, they have pursued the most innovative research outcomes in broader areas through lectures and the publication of their own books or translations. Although graduate students enrolled in the course are able to have access to the highest level of knowledge in a specific area by following up on the research findings of their own advisors, we also aim to meet the interests and abilities of each student and maximize the potential of each individual through not only classes, but also tutorials and workshops. We accept anyone who hopes to further deepen their research on English philology or literature in the English-speaking world beyond the undergraduate level. Why don’t you open up new horizons with our faculty members for research on English language and literature? |
Advising System and Research Environment
| The favorable environment of small class sizes enables satisfactory learning and intensive acquisition of specialist knowledge. In response to each research topic, an advising committee (composed of one head advisor and one or two assistant advisors) is set up for each individual graduate student. By regularly reporting the progress of research to the committee, students can receive meticulous advice on their research. Especially for students enrolled in the doctoral course, we have improved the environment and the support system with the purpose of fostering researchers, making it possible for them to write their doctoral thesis while they are enrolled in the doctoral course or within three years after the term of the course has expired. |
Presentation of Research Findings
 Graduate students enrolled in the course are automatically members of the English Literary Society of Gakushuin University. Society members are provided with opportunities to give presentations at workshops and publish their papers in the Journal of the English Literary Society of Gakushuin University. By being aware of what virtues and issues there are in their own research areas through such oral presentations and publications, enrolled graduate students can naturally negotiate the process of writing a master’s or doctoral thesis. In particular, graduate students in the course are strongly recommended to actively participate in nationwide activities organized by the English Literary Society of Japan, the American Literature Society of Japan, the English Linguistic Society of Japan, the Linguistic Society of Japan, etc. In fact, many of our graduate students have gained the ability to give presentations at nationwide academic conferences. If you are enrolled in the course, by modeling yourself on senior students, you will be motivated to challenge yourself to contribute papers to journals and participate in other activities. |