- School of Cultural and Creative Studies, 2026 Academic Year Course Catalog
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Characteristics of learning and curriculum (Department of Cultural and Creative Studies)
CURRICULUM Learning Features and Curriculum
Learning Features Through the three pillars of "seminars," "labs," and "English," we aim to develop intellectuals who can play an active role across borders.
Aoyama Gakuin University 's curriculum encompasses all aspects of "creation," including classical arts, music, film, performing arts, religion, philosophy, urban planning, and pop culture. How can culture and art enrich society? We explore the possibilities of creativity, hone our own sensibilities, and seek compelling ways to communicate with society as total art producers.
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Seminars: Pursuing a variety of research fields through diverse methods
Just like other universities and faculties, the core of education in Aoyama Gakuin University is the seminar (workshop) format. At university, students not only attend lectures, but also conduct their own "research" on a daily basis. This seminar is a style of class where you conduct your own research and present your findings.
The methods of research and presentation vary from seminar to seminar. Some seminars focus on literature research, while others focus on fieldwork. You will likely have opportunities to use various information tools for presentations and debates.
However, the most distinctive feature of Aoyama Gakuin University is undoubtedly its "diverse range of research fields." Aoyama Gakuin University boasts a faculty of specialists in a wide range of fields, including philosophy and thought, art and cultural studies, sociology, economics, business administration, architectural theory, cultural policy, and life sciences. Therefore, you may be able to pursue a groundbreaking research topic that no one has ever chosen before, following your own interests.
"Cultural Studies Seminar" in the second year is a required course, while "Cultural Studies Seminar I" in the third year and "Cultural Studies Seminar II" in the fourth year are elective courses.
Through these exercises, you will have ample time to thoroughly build your research. Through this seminar, we aim to cultivate individuals with strong cultural communication skills. -
Lab/Atelier Training: On-site projects in collaboration with external organizations
The Lab & Atelier practical training is a unique teaching format specific to Aoyama Gakuin University, unlike anything offered at other universities or departments. Based at the Aoyama Community Lab (ACL), an affiliated research institute of Aoyama Gakuin University, students sometimes venture off campus to work in collaboration with local communities, creators, companies, government agencies, and other external organizations. This internship-style, project-based course allows students to participate in a "real-world work environment" while still students. This course is offered in the second and third years.
Since the "Lab" is a part of real "work," you shouldn't just passively receive results from it, but also explore what you can contribute. Also, since many people are working together on a single project, you may face unavoidable and harsh realities in terms of communication and manners. However, experiencing conflict and self-correction in such situations is what leads to growth. The activities of the "Lab" have so far produced various results not only in Sibuya and Aoyama areas, but also in distant regions. Through this "Lab," we hope you will learn both the joys and struggles of cultural creation "on the ground."
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English: ACE Program, Understanding Japan in English, Japanese Studies in English
Culture transcends national borders. Acquiring a foreign language—especially English as a foundational language—is not only about enjoying intimate conversations with people from other countries, but also about gaining a clear perspective on cultures with different histories and backgrounds, and deepening understanding and empathy for them. To this end, Aoyama Gakuin University offers a three-step English education curriculum from the first to the fourth year, with the goal of acquiring "communicative literacy."
★ ACE Program (1st Year)
The first-year English program, "ACE (Aoyama Communicative English) Program," consists of two subjects: "English Communication," which focuses on conversation, and "English Proficiency," which aims to improve grammatical accuracy (both are compulsory). All classes are taught by native English-speaking instructors.
★ Understanding Japan through English (2nd year)
There is a need for individuals who can communicate Japanese culture in English. "Understanding Japan in English" is an intermediate-level course designed for those who have developed their skills through the "ACE Program." All classes are taught by native English-speaking instructors.
★ Japanese Studies in English (3rd to 4th year)
"Japanese Studies in English" is a specialized and applied course where students actually use English to research Japan. It is not a language course, but rather a general lecture series conducted in English, with three sessions offered in each of the first and second semesters. The lectures are taught in English by foreign instructors.
? Several other "English lecture courses" are also offered.
A practical curriculum combining humanities, social sciences, and information sciences
General Subjects
Elective compulsory subjects: Policy and management subjects
After studying basic social science subjects that emphasize universality, students will study applied policy and management fields that are necessary according to their career choices.
Elective compulsory subjects: Culture and Philosophy
In order to deepen cultural understanding, students will study subjects in a wider variety of cultural fields, and in order to view themselves in a relative sense and broaden their horizons, they will study subjects in the fields of thought and philosophy.
Specialized Subjects
Elective compulsory course: Media and culture
A group of subjects for those aiming to work in media design and production.
Elective Required Course: Social Design
A group of subjects for people who aim to develop policies and projects that take into account the diverse forms of society.
Elective Required Course: Representation and Culture
A group of subjects aimed at those aiming to manage artistic activities, cultural and corporate patronage activities such as those of local governments and companies.
COURSE MODELS ?
*The course model introduced here is just an example.
COURSE FEATURES Features of major courses
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Introduction to the Cultural Industry
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This course will explore the economic background behind the increasing importance of the "digital content industry," including entertainment and media, in cultural policy, understand the environmental changes currently taking place in these industries, and consider future challenges.
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Arts and Culture Policy
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After gaining an understanding of the cultural policies of major countries around the world and acquiring basic knowledge, students will explore the relationship between culture and industry, culture and urban development, and further the relationship between culture and media, and culture and technology.
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Media and Communication Theory
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There are many events and issues in the world, from politics to the economy to culture, but rather than simply accepting the stereotypical images circulating in society through the media, I would like you to constantly examine them, consult a variety of sources, and cast multiple eyes on them. With this attitude, let's create together in the classroom a space, however small, where we can sense, research, think, and write for ourselves. We will explore modern media and communication while learning from history.
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Representation and Culture
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There are many different approaches to analyzing culture. This class focuses on the multi-layered nature of "artistic representation" in culture. In the class, we select the most important texts from various genres and examine them.
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Multicultural Coexistence
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In order to understand different cultures and aim for coexistence, it is necessary to decipher the worldview that underlies each culture, especially the view of life. The purpose of this lecture is to reconsider how humans have perceived life from a comprehensive perspective.
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Ritual Culture
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What do you imagine when you hear the word "festival"? Portable shrines, floats, gorgeous floats... But what exactly is a portable shrine? Why do people dress in special costumes and eat special food? We explore the Japanese heart while exploring the mysteries of various festivals all over Japan.
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Architectural Design Theory
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Rather than treating architectural design as a form-based approach, this course teaches basic theories using major examples, focusing on the relationship between the society and history that produced it, the natural and local environment, and people's lifestyles and psychology. At the same time, students also receive depiction training through tours and sketches.
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