Four years of learning Department of English Language and Literature

Process of four years of learning

Developing a balance of practical ability and specialization

This Department features a balanced arrangement of subjects that, in addition to cultivating specialization in the three disciplines of English and American literature, linguistics and international communication, develop the four skills of advanced English, involve internships that lead to future careers and otherwise nurture practical ability that can be used throughout the student's life.

Team teaching by native English-speaking and Japanese faculty members

Through the Seishin Program for English Competency (SPEC) for improving English communication skills from the 1st to 3rd Years, native English-speaking faculty members provide personal instruction tailored to each student's individual ability. Additionally, in the 1st Year Foundation Seminar taught by Japanese faculty members, students can develop academic skills and basic reading comprehension in three specialized fields while attending small-sized classes. Furthermore, Japanese faculty members teach the likes of grammar and phonetics to deepen students' understanding as well.

Bilingual education for enabling students to truly play an active role in international society

Students will develop basic skills in their 1st Year, choose courses in three disciplines in their 2nd Year and determine their course of study for their 3rd and 4th Years. In addition to English language ability, students will also refine their Japanese language skills, which they will need after becoming working members of society, through seminars and other forms of instruction in their 3rd and 4th Years. Through this, they will be developed into bilingual human resources who serve as bridges between Japan and overseas parties.

A program unique to the Department of English Language and Literature: Five-year undergraduate and master's program

The Department of English Language and Literature offers a program that enables students to take graduate school subjects from their 4th Year and earn a master's degree in one year. This program is ideal for students who aim to become English language educators with a higher level of specialization or find work at international organizations.

For the Graduate School of English Language, Literature and Communication, go here

1st Year

Students will thoroughly study fundamental English skills with a particular focus on basic subjects

2nd Year

All subjects in the three courses of study can be selected. Students will outfit themselves with a wide range of knowledge

3rd/4th Year

Students will belong to seminars from their 3rd Year and pursue graduation thesis research covering individual themes

Learning steps & main subjects offered over four years

1st Year

Students will thoroughly study fundamental English skills with a particular focus on basic subjects

Basic subjects＋Major subjects

2nd Year

All subjects in the three courses of study can be selected.
Students will outfit themselves with a wide range of knowledge

Major subjects

Contents of learning in each course

■English and American Literature: Study of diverse literary works that include novels, plays and poetry
■English Language and Linguistics Studies: Explanation of the structure and functions of language, including phonetics, grammar and semantics
■International Communication: Acquisition of a multifaceted perspective and international sensibility

3rd Year/4th Year

Students will belong to seminars from their 3rd Year and pursue graduation thesis research covering individual themes

Major subjects

Students will select a course/seminar in their 3rd Year based on their studies in their 2nd Year

Graduate thesis research

Department subjects	Basic subjects	Active English I & II English Grammar I & II Communicative English I & II Foundation Seminar I & II independent Study I	Advanced English	Interactive English I & II English writing I & II independent Study II	Advanced English	Advanced English I & II English writing III & IV
Department subjects	Major subjects	■British Literature History I & II ■Introduction to English Literature I & II ■Introduction to English Language I & II ■English Phonetics ■General Introduction to International Communication I & II	■History of American Literature I & II ■English and American Literature Studies I (Modernist literature, novels and films in English-speaking countries) ■English and American Literature Studies II (American literature and culture) ■English and American Literature Studies III (British literature and culture) ■English Language and Linguistics Studies I (Grammar from a linguistic perspective) ■English Language and Linguistic Studies II (Language acquisition) ■English Language and Linguistic Studies III (Syntax of Japanese and English) ■English Language Reading I & II ■Structure of Language I & II ■International Communication I ■International Communication II ■English for Study Abroad I ■English for Study Abroad II		Select a course/seminar	■English and American Literature Studies IV (Literature and critique) ■English and American Literature Studies V (Poetry and novels/literary translation from English-speaking countries) ■English and American Literature Studies VI (Irish literature and culture) ■Methodology of Linguistic Studies ■English Language and Linguistic Studies IV (Contrastive study of language) ■English Language and Linguistic Studies V (Meaning of language) ■English Language and Linguistic Studies VI (Sentence structure and theory) ■International Communication Reseaerch I & II ■Media Literacy	Graduate thesis
Department-related subjects			English Education I		Select a course/seminar	English Education Methodology II

■…Subjects related to English and American Literature course of study

■…Subjects related to English Language and Linguistic Studies course of study

■…Subjects related to International Communication course of study

*The curriculum is for the 2024 academic year. Subject names and content are subject to change.
*Only the main subjects are stated above. Subjects other than these are available.

Distinctive classes

Foundation SeminarⅠ・Ⅱ

The purpose of this class conduced for 1st Year students in small groups is to have students develop the English reading skills necessary for specialized subjects and lay the foundation for learning in the three courses of study of “English and American Literature,” “English Language and Linguistic Studies” and “International Communication.” Faculty members specializing in “English and American Literature” and “English Language and Linguistic Studies” serve as advisors, each teaching one class. Using English-language textbooks on those faculty members' respective specializations and those on international communication, students will study in a practical exercise format. Additionally, there are three study skills classes per semester that are common for all students in which they will learn the likes of methods of note-taking during lectures, utilizing the library utilization and writing reports. Furthermore, for self-study purposes, assignments that utilize stories written in English and the like will also be given.

English Conversation

Active English (meeting twice a week) and Communicative English (meeting once a week) are the heart of English language learning in your first year at Seishin. In these classes, students engage with each other, as well as their teachers, who are all native English speakers from four different continents. You develop all four practical English language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. In Active English, students practice and build on the grammar and vocabulary they learned in high school and actually use it in fun and meaningful discussions, projects, and presentations.Communicative English gives students a chance to develop their reading skills, choose stories that they enjoy reading, and discuss topics they want to learn about. Also, these small classes are where you meet and make some of your best friends over the next four years.