University

The Faculty of Theology is the core of Seinan Gakuin University, with over a century of history having been established in 1907 when the school was called Fukuoka Baptist Theological Seminary. The Department of Theology of the Department of Theology bases its studies on the Bible and strives to discern the essence of the spirit and culture of Christianity through the study of Christian thought, philosophy and art. At the same time, the Faculty aims to educate students who will actively assume this spirit and culture in order to shape the spiritual culture of Japan and the world and contribute to the promotion of world peace and works for the good of all humanity.

The Department of Foreign Language Studies aims to unlock students’ potential by developing their practical language skills and by cultivating their expertise in a broad range of foreign language-related studies.

In their first year, students concentrate on improving their English ability by strengthening and applying the four core skills of reading, writing, speaking, and listening, and on beginning the study of French. Courses in the second year and beyond focus on three main subject areas:

1,    Classes in English studies include linguistics and advanced language practice, as well as in-depth study of British and American literature and culture, and that of the wider English-speaking world.

2.     Classes in French studies focus both on the acquisition of practical communicative abilities to enable students to reach a business level of French and also on providing a broad-based understanding of French culture.

3.     Classes in global communication studies allow students with advanced language skills the opportunity to take courses taught in English and/or French to develop greater competences in communication and an understanding of global issues.

A flexible curriculum allows students to draw on all three subject areas to create an individual program of study that will both broaden their interests and deepen their expertise, in preparation for advanced individual research in third and fourth-year seminars.

In addition to Seinan Gakuin University’s foreign exchange programs and short-term overseas language and professional skills training programs, the Department of Foreign Language Studies also offers four exclusive overseas study programs, as well as a partnership with Tokyo University of Foreign Studies. These programs allow students a wide variety of opportunities to put their learning into practice, and to expand their experience of foreign language studies both in Japan and around the world.

   "Glocalization" is a newly-coined term combining the two words "globalization" and "localization." It indicates the concept of global activity with consideration of local characteristics. In recent years, corporate society has been demanding that corporations conduct business in various parts of the world while focusing on local characteristics and traits, and to maintain the competitive edge in any business, human resources that can flexibly handle such an age of "glocalization" are essential.
   The curriculum of the Faculty of Commerce aims to cultivate business persons who can survive such changing times. The main characteristics of the Department of Commerce are its division into the Commerce Course and the Accounting Course, and implementation of Major and Minor concentrates. During the freshman year, students study a variety of introductory subjects to prepare for their selection of majors and minors, and in the sophomore year, they choose a course and take classes pertaining to that course of choice. Another characteristic of the Department of Commerce is the small-classroom education available during all four years of University education. Small-classroom education is conducted in the Basic Seminar during the freshman year, Business Foreign Language during the first semester of the sophomore year, and the Seminar from the second semester of the sophomore year to the senior year.

The Department of Business Administration provides diverse courses in order to allow students to gain a multilateral and systematic understanding of the question "what must be done to realize long-term operation of a company?" The Department of Business Administration offers two courses: the "Business Administration Course" and the "Management Information Course."
    In the "Business Administration Course," students study marketing strategies and employee management of corporations, the ideal state of operation for global corporations, dynamism of history of corporate development and corporate changes. On the other hand, in the "Management Information Course," students study the ideal state of production activities in a corporation, method of information management and analysis, procuring funds, decision-making on investments, internet business, etc.
   Also, the Department of Business Administration emphasizes small-number seminars. The seminars help deepen specific areas of knowledge, and at the same time, aim to cultivate the ability to think independently about business with a wide perspective, using a variety of specialized knowledge.

The financial crisis which started in the U.S. brought ramifications to the global economy, thrusting it into a wave of recession. The Japanese economy also received a huge blow; yen appreciation and falling stock prices are leading to poor performances by major corporations, and employment status is becoming more and more unstable. On the other hand, food prices are rising, the burden of expenses for education, medicine and welfare is increasing, and global environment issues are pressing. Our lives are on the verge of major change. To survive in this difficult living environment, we must accurately grasp the current situation, predict future developments, and handle things in an intelligent manner. For this, knowledge and understanding of the economy is indispensable.
   The Department of Economics allows diverse and specialized study through various courses, such as fundamental theoretical subjects to understand the basic flow and principles of the national economy, economic history subjects to learn historical experiences and lessons of the past, and economic policy subjects that verify methods to create a better economic society through comprehensive utilization of acquired knowledge. Through a year-specific curriculum, students learn to understand basic economic terminologies and economic statistics, and how current Japanese and global economies are interrelated. By gradually mastering various principles behind economic movements in the context of systematic studies of economic science, students will be able to identify their own position in the actual economic society and to foresee future trends.

   Economic transactions with overseas countries are closely related to Japan’s domestic economic activities, and affect our daily lives in many ways. In addition to export and import of goods, trade in services is also thriving. Also, while there is capital outflow through overseas direct investments by Japanese corporations and overseas portfolio investments by Japanese investors, interests and dividends from these investments are being paid from overseas countries to Japan. Plus, due to Japan’s declining birthrate and aging society, accepting the immigration of foreign workers into Japan is going to become inevitable. Such phenomena show that insight connecting the relationship of our daily lives with international economics is indispensable.
   The Department of International Economics offers a group of subjects that introduce the economic situations of various countries and regions from a wide perspective, including their social systems, and another group of subjects showing how people, goods and money move among nations from a theoretical perspective. Studying these subjects will allow students to effectively acquire comprehensive insight into international and domestic economies. Also, in the Fundamental Exercise Course in the freshman and sophomore years, and in the Exercise Course in the junior and senior years, students cultivate a method of thinking in regards to economics and a wide perspective that is applicable in the international arena. Further, the Department offers a group of subjects that improve English communication abilities in business situations, and supports foreign exchange programs to utilize the acquired knowledge on economy and the communication abilities.

     If a married couple applied to the municipal authorities to register their child, who was born from a gestational mother in a foreign country, as theirs, should the office accept this application? There are laws that give hints to the question, but even so, there are controversial views even among legal experts. The purpose of studying law is not merely memorizing the texts of law provisions, but to acquire skills to discuss and attempt to give answers to the questions as this. Therefore, through the study of law, students would be able to, at the same time, enrich their understanding of the society.

The ability to build a logical discussion
     In order to satisfy a large number or people, one must be able to build a logical discussion. Diligent study of law may take time, but in the long run, would be a shortcut to acquire logical way of thinking.

A variety of career options
     There is a strong requirement in every aspect of the society for those who have a rich understanding of the society and the people, and have the skills to build a logical argument. There are various career options for graduates from this division. For example, there are those that continue their studies in Law School to become lawyers or judicial experts, become public officials, acquire qualifications or licenses, or become employed in companies. As students progress in their studies, they would determine which career path they wish to take, and choose their subjects accordingly.

     The main purpose of the Department of International Relations Law is to foster human resources who (1) have a wide perspective who do not adhere too closely to one specific viewpoint, (2) can exchange and share opinions with people who have different ways of thinking, and can work together with such people in tackling various problems that we currently face, and (3) can maintain an international perspective and standpoint, using international relations law as one of the core.  
     In the past, "international" relations were considered something "outside of Japan", but now, triggered by issues such as environmental matters, it is little by little being recognized that our daily lives are closely connected with matters outside Japan, or global issues. The Department of International Law aims to allow students to acquire the ability to succeed in an international society, and at the same time, to exert such ability in local communities by effectively introducing an international perspective.

     It goes without saying that the experiences in the early stages of infancy and childhood are of great significance in the growth and development of people. At the Department of Childhood Education, students deepen their awareness concerning children at this stage in life, learn about childcare and education for those children, and nurture an " distinguish eye."
     Centered on major-concentrate courses, including required courses for acquisition of childcare certificate and teaching licenses for kindergarten and elementary school, students choose their own curriculum based on their individual purposes. Major-concentrate courses are designed to include some subjects that teach theoretical fundamentals of childcare and education, some that envision a practical situation, and others that can improve and expand the students' expertise in their own direction as a childcare specialist or a teacher. Most students do acquire the certification and the licenses, but acquisition is not a requirement for graduation. Therefore, it is possible for students to focus on learning certain fundamental studies or a specific subject.
     The Department of Childhood Education does emphasize the acquisition of certification/licenses, but there is more. Students are able to gain knowledge that deepens and expands their expertise, and by taking this further in their graduation research project, they cultivate the fundamental ability to academically resolve future issues they will face. This is the true focus of this Department.

    Because the complexity of society increases every day, various new problems are continually arising in communities. Issues related to social welfare are also going through significant changes. To create a humane society without inequality or exclusion, qualified people who can work as certified social workers are in great demand. In addition, specialized jobs requiring knowledge of social welfare are now in demand not only in traditional fields such as welfare, nursing care and medicine, but also in many other fields, such as law, education and labor.
    The Faculty's curriculum offers General Subjects centered on liberal arts education that foster rich character and wide perspective, and Specialized Subjects that foster specialists in social welfare. Specialized Subjects include those subjects required to qualify for the national examination for certified social workers. These Specialized Subjects can also be very useful for students who plan to continue their learning in other fields. For example, the Specialized Subjects also include the subjects required to qualify for the national examination for psychiatric social workers, as well as the certifications for high school teachers (social welfare, civics) and childcare workers.
    Though a diverse curriculum that aims to provide effective instruction based on the needs and career paths of students, the Faculty strives to foster specialized personnel with sound judgment and practical abilities that can handle the diversifying issues of today's society.

    In modern society, many people have difficulty with face-to-face communication due to the complexity of human relations, and it often causes mental health issues to arise. Furthermore, this rapidly internationalizing society needs intercultural understanding. Under such circumstances, specialists in psychology are in great demand in a variety of fields.
    In responding to these social needs, Seinan Gakuin University opened the Department of Psychology in 2012 to cultivate specialists concerning mental issues who have perspicacity as well as communication skill to ameliorate problems. We at the same time aim to enhance psychological research and education in the fields of education and social welfare through cooperation with the Department of Childhood Education and the Department of Social Welfare.

    Everywhere on earth, where there are people, there is culture. Each region has its own unique culture, established over many years by the predecessors. Today, it is often said that "the world has gotten smaller"; we live in the Japanese culture, yet other cultures are so easily within reach, including their food, language and music. Moreover, one could cross the borders and actually step into another culture at the drop of a hat. Encounter with different cultures is a fun and exciting experience. However, the path from such "encounter" to "understanding" is not easy to find or follow. This is because this path requires "knowledge."
     The new curriculum of the Department of Intercultural Studies offers six courses to allow systematic learning of knowledge necessary in understanding different cultures. Of these, four courses are focused on regions, while two courses are on academic genres of comparative culture and representational culture, making this Department very unique. Students of the Department of Intercultural Studies study their specific fields in each of the courses, and in addition, gain a comprehensive grasp on culture through subjects such as the Dynamism of Culture. The Department of Intercultural Studies, founded in 1976, will continue making advancements into the future.