School of International Liberal StudiesWaseda University

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Why SILS ?

Wed 05 Jul 23

SILS seeks to raise a generation of global citizens with the strong desire, profound ethical sensibility, and robust international competitiveness needed to take on today’s worldwide challenges. Steeped in humanity, SILS students soar on the wings of dreams.

Learning at SILS

Crossing Borders

Universities have increased their academic knowledge by increasing specializations in each discipline, subdividing issues, and delving deeper into them. In contrast, learning and researching by specializing in a single discipline implies thinking from a fixed perspective and using specific terminology while discussing the world. If that is the case, “academic knowledge” can end up becoming a barrier that unintentionally limits the scope of our thinking.
The School of International Liberal Studies (SILS) does not offer any “majors.” Instead, students can independently, thoroughly, and comprehensively acquire academic knowledge in a wide range of topics that are broadly classified into seven categories, based on their own interests. Regardless of whether they are in the humanities, sciences, or ◯◯ studies, the “culture” we envision is an open-minded and flexible intelligence that transcends the limitations of academic disciplines.

Sharing Cultures

“Language” is also an important component that shapes our environment for learning. Language is closely tied to the way we think, our perception of the world, our culture, and the structure of society.
The official language of instruction at SILS is English, and we provide multilingual education, in which students learn a third language in addition to Japanese and English. One of our unique teaching strategies is called Content and Language Integrated Education (CLIL), in which students learn about the local culture, history, economy, politics, and other topics in that third language.
Learning multiple languages is nothing more than continually testing your own assumptions while being exposed to various cultures and observing their differences. SILS, which values multiculturalism, multilingualism, and diversity, is a place of learning where instructors and students with diverse backgrounds gather and work hard together. The true “internationality” that we value is fostered not only by having the ability to speak a language but also by knowing the differences between diverse cultures and societies, gaining new perspectives, and learning to relativize one’s sense of values.

Inventing the Future

In today’s society, which is becoming increasingly complex, there is a multitude of issues that cannot be solved with conventional approaches to knowledge. For example, when the world was hit by an unprecedented pandemic, we witnessed how medical knowledge alone was unable to solve the problem.
The precise definition of a “plague” was analyzed from different perspectives, such as biology, history, sociology, and law, and the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the differences in public health concepts in different countries and cultures, as well as the differences in definitions of human rights and individual freedoms, such as how far the state can restrict individual actions.
To address complex and intertwined issues, such as how digital devices have changed communication in schools and workplaces, how COVID-19 has been portrayed in the media and social networking services, and how foreign policies have changed to prevent the spread of infection across borders, it is crucial to have a multifaceted perspective.
In such times, bringing together knowledge from various fields, engaging in repeated dialogue, approaching problems from new perspectives, and inventing the future through their own initiative are roles that students can play precisely because they study at SILS.

SILS Curriculum

Two Study Plans

SILS offers “Study Plan 1” for students whose native language is Japanese and “Study Plan 2” for students whose native language is not Japanese.
Students whose native language is Japanese are required to study abroad for one year. Regardless of which study plan they choose, all classes will be held in English, with the exception of some subjects; thus, students in both plans will learn together.
Please check both study plans for their definitions and differences.

Three Stages

Learning at SILS is organized into the following three stages:

  • Acquisition of theme selection skills and language skills (1st to 3rd semesters)
  • Research of themes through overseas study (4th and 5th semesters)
  • Going more in-depth into one’s research results (6th to 8th semesters)

Please check the curriculum for details.

Seven Clusters

SILS offers a liberal arts education that aims to help students learn across disciplines and acquire interdisciplinary knowledge. Over the course of their four years of study, students will improve their knowledge in a wide range of fields. Students can gain a wide range of information while studying various subjects after entering university and can achieve more in-depth learning in their fields of interest rather than choosing a major and continuing to higher education.

The seven clusters (course groups) listed below represent how SILS organizes its courses to foster an interdisciplinary perspective across different fields:

Keywords:Artificial Intelligence, Biology, Calculus, Data Science, Environmental Science, Mathematics, Physics, Programming, etc.

Keywords:Artificial Intelligence, Biology, Calculus, Data Science, Environmental Science, Mathematics, Physics, Programming, etc.

LINK
Keywords:History (Media, Physical Science, Region, Society, etc.), Historical Survey, Philosophy, Religious Studies, etc.

Keywords:History (Media, Physical Science, Region, Society, etc.), Historical Survey, Philosophy, Religious Studies, etc.

LINK
Keywords:Accounting, Advertising, Business, Game Theory, Marketing, Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, etc.

Keywords:Accounting, Advertising, Business, Game Theory, Marketing, Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, etc.

Keywords:Foreign Policy, Human Security, International Relations, Peace Studies, Politics, Political Economy, Public Policy, etc.

Keywords:Foreign Policy, Human Security, International Relations, Peace Studies, Politics, Political Economy, Public Policy, etc.

LINK
Keywords:Applied Linguistics, Historical Linguistics, Phonetics, Phonology, Pragmatics, Semantics, Sociolinguistics, Syntax, etc.

Keywords:Applied Linguistics, Historical Linguistics, Phonetics, Phonology, Pragmatics, Semantics, Sociolinguistics, Syntax, etc.

LINK
Keywords:Art Studies, Creative Writing, Film Studies, Literature, Media Studies, Photography, Theatre Studies, etc.

Keywords:Art Studies, Creative Writing, Film Studies, Literature, Media Studies, Photography, Theatre Studies, etc.

LINK
Keywords:Anthropology, Comparative Culture, Cultural Studies,  Gender Studies, Sociology, Urban Studies, Psychology, etc.

Keywords:Anthropology, Comparative Culture, Cultural Studies, Gender Studies, Sociology, Urban Studies, Psychology, etc.

LINK

SILS Features

SILS is where you…

Learn how to think—a liberal arts education that fosters the ability to think

The best environment to improve your level and to become a global human resource.

We practice liberal arts education, which emphasizes culture and requires students to take courses in a variety of fields. We foster a multifaceted perspective that enables students to acquire the ability to think logically, analyze, and take action. Hence, the courses offered are not biased toward a specific field; rather, they are broadly set up in seven fields that encompass the latest developments in the world, enabling interdisciplinary learning. Lectures focus not only on memorizing knowledge but also on teaching students how to think critically and independently, as well as how to receive and analyze information from multiple perspectives.

Find a small world in Tokyo—An international environment where diverse cultures merge

SILS offers excellent education in a welcoming international environment where students can enjoy their university experience to the fullest.

About 30% of new students are international students. We welcome students from around 50 countries and different regions, including Asia, Europe, the Americas, and Africa. Furthermore, every year, we accept more than 300 exchange students from our world-class partner universities. In addition to these students, faculty members with international careers also gather on campus, where active exchanges take place.

Always engage in discussions and dialogues—small-group education that emphasizes dialogue

There are many advantages to learning in English, and I am grateful for the opportunity to have met you at SILS.

Discussions among students, as well as between instructors and students, are important to deepen exchanges between different cultures and cultivate a multidimensional perspective and logical thinking. SILS implements small-group education that enables lively two-way dialogues and question-and-answer sessions between instructors and students. Lecture courses have an average class size of 60–70 students. In addition, beginning in the first year, seminars are set throughout the semester with a basic student-teacher ratio of 20:1.

Bridge differences in languages and cultures—language education that responds to globalization

I have learned to use “language” as a “tool”.

Almost all classes are conducted in English, as we believe that fostering an environment where teachers and students from diverse backgrounds can openly discuss and further their mutual understanding will lead to the development of communication skills in a global society.

In the first and second semesters after admission, students are intensively instructed to think and express themselves in English in small classes to strengthen their English-language skills. Classes are organized according to proficiency level based on the students’ “reading, listening, speaking, and writing” skills.

In addition, we conduct multilingual and multicultural education by offering courses in six other foreign languages: French, German, Spanish, Chinese, Russian, and Korean. If courses offered in other faculties are included, students can take courses in 26 languages.

Step out of the classroom—a year of study abroad is compulsory.

Expand your future possibilities through your study abroad experience.

To acquire a broad international perspective, students whose native language is Japanese are required to study abroad for one year (this is optional for students whose native language is not Japanese). They can choose their study-abroad destination not only from the English-speaking world but also from the Waseda University partner network, which is expanding all over the world. Students can select a study-abroad program according to their level and purpose.

Furthermore, students can also participate in SILS’ bilateral study abroad programs, for which our school has independently signed agreements with partner universities.

Cultivate your knowledge—a new program that encourages systematic learning

Students can acquire practical language skills while acquiring specialized knowledge.

One of the main features of SILS is its ever-evolving programs.
In 2016, we introduced a concentration program for students who wish to systematically study a specific field. After obtaining the required number of credits, a certificate of completion will be issued upon graduation.
Since 2017, we have also been operating APM (Area Studies and Plurilingual/Multicultural Education) programs that will allow students to not only learn the four languages, namely: French, Spanish, Chinese, and Korean, but also study the culture, history, economy, politics, and so on of the relevant country from multifaceted perspectives using that country’s language.

SILS Study Abroad Stories

LINK

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