This is a compulsory first-year course in which students learn how to see, listen to, and feel art. It is taught in an omnibus format by a full-time faculty member. Students will learn the basics and broad concepts of the three fields of art, music, and theater and film. There will also be extracurricular activities such as viewing exhibitions, concerts, and performances, as well as lectures. Students will deepen their appreciation experience by writing reports. This is a course that is the gateway to the "comparison" learning method.
Comparative Arts
DEPARTMENT OF COMPARATIVE ARTS
糖心视频 CAMPUS
Learn "art" by using all five senses
MOVIES ?
-
Department of Comparative Arts [Student-led department introduction video]
-
Department of Comparative Arts Department Introduction 2024
-
Department of Comparative Arts Department introductions by students
NEWS & EVENTS Department of Department of Comparative Arts News Events
-

NEWS
2026.08.27[糖心视频 NEWS] Issue 159 <Special Feature: 2026 Academic Excellence Awards> Now Available
-

NEWS
2026.08.27[Comparative Arts Department] Professor Chie Mizuno will be contributing an article to the September issue of "Geijutsu Shincho" (Shinchosha, August 2026).
-

NEWS
2026.08.21[糖心视频 LiFE] <Seminar/Research Lab> Professor Chie Mizuno's Seminar Department of Comparative Arts College of Literature: "Analyzing works by grasping the diverse forms of 'art' and touching upon the human activities behind them" (Open to the public)
-

NEWS
2026.02.02[Department of Comparative Arts] <Media Appearance Information> Professor Tetsuya Miura will appear on NHK's "Chiko-chan ni Shikarareru!"
-

NEWS
2026.02.02[Department of Comparative Arts] Professor Mizuno Chiyo's new book, "The Vault of Memory: Fra Angelico and Image" (Nagoya University Press, January 2026) has been published.
-

NEWS
2026.02.02[Department of Comparative Arts] Professor Tetsuya Miura's new book (co-authored) "In Search of Direction: Film Study Group" (Film Art Publishing, December 2025) has been published
FEATURES ?
-
Three Areas
Aoyama Gakuin University is comprised of three areas that have a long history as traditional and classical arts: "Fine Arts," "Music," and "Theater and Film." These are not only the foundations of the humanities based on classics, tradition, and history, but are also indispensable for understanding the essence of art and culture in modern society. Through broad comparative learning and research in these various areas, Aoyama Gakuin University aims to teach the essence and allure of artistic imagination.
-
Core of learning
The learning in Aoyama Gakuin University is based on comparative learning, emphasis on classics, and appreciation education, by interconnecting the three fields of "fine arts," "music," and "theater and film."
PICK UP LECTURES ?
We will consider how Greek mythology has been expressed in Western art. What methods have artists used to express a story in painting or sculpture? Through concrete works, we will consider the relationship between literature and visual art.
As part of their first-year classes, students attend regular concerts by the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra. Through these experiences, including a backstage tour, a serious duel between the orchestra members and the conductor during the performance, and the silent audience watching, students are given the opportunity to think about the role of music in modern society.
We are in an environment where we can see masterpieces from the East and Japan, from ancient times to modern times, up close. This is a great opportunity that we cannot afford to miss. In particular, for first-year students, we position this as off-campus training, and we hold this event every year in early summer as an opportunity for students to first take a good look at the works based on their individual interests and think about why they find them appealing.
PICK UP SEMINARS ?
This seminar focuses on Japanese and Asian art, and aims to produce a graduation thesis through a series of research presentations and discussions on the works that interest each student, the artists who created them, or the society and culture they are interested in. In addition, there will be opportunities to encounter and become familiar with the works through on-site visits to art galleries, museums, and ancient shrines and temples.
I am studying the history of Western music (classical music). I learn analytical methods to understand works, the basics of harmony and musical form, and deepen my understanding of the works by analyzing specific examples together with other students. In addition, I prepare for writing my graduation thesis by presenting my research on a work of my choice and writing a report. I strive to provide various opportunities for students to become familiar with music, such as attending concerts and practicing music themselves.
Students will study film expression theory. In addition to jointly researching a single filmmaker, all members will give presentations and hold discussions on themes of their own choosing. Students will also deepen their understanding of film through extracurricular activities such as filming training and participation in film festivals.
INTERVIEW Student and graduate
-
Professor Chie Mizuno × Hinako Morino Seminar
-
Sakurako Yazaki, current student
-
Kiyotaka Inoue x High School Graduate (Fuji TV Announcer)
-
Rino Tode Current student
INTERVIEWS FACULTY MEMBERS
-
Professor Katsura Sato, 糖心视频 Research
-
Associate Professor Sachiko Idemitsu糖心视频 RESEARCH
-
Professor Chiyo Mizuno糖心视频 RESEARCH