Three Policies

Admissions Policy

The Faculty of Culture and Information Science aims to nurture individuals who understand that reliable information about human culture is essential for solving social issues, and who can analyze and create new understandings of that culture using the methodology of data science as a discipline that makes practical use of data to solve problems. To that end, the Faculty seeks students with the following qualities:

Students Sought by the Faculty of Culture and Information Science

Knowledge and Skills

We seek students who have cultivated a broad knowledge base and interest in human culture, and have acquired knowledge and skills that are fundamental to the study of data science techniques.

Critical Thinking, Judgment, and Expression

We seek students who have acquired the command of language to fully utilize the exploratory curriculum of the Faculty, as well as mathematical comprehension, expression, and critical thinking skills.

Independence, Diversity, and Cooperation

We seek students with a pioneering and socially-oriented spirit, who find great value in the various cultural phenomena surrounding human beings, and try to connect it to the solution of social issues.

Skills and Abilities Students are Expected to Acquire by Graduation from High School

English

The Faculty of Culture and Information Science aims to elucidate various phenomena related to human culture through the study of knowledge over a wide range of cultural fields and data science methods. To this end, students are required to research the diverse cultures of Japan and the rest of the world, to read and understand academic materials written in English, and effectively communicate their own opinions and ideas in English. In addition to Japanese language skills, a well-balanced and advanced command of English is also necessary. Before matriculation, please make every effort to acquire a rich English vocabulary and correct grammatical knowledge. Take every opportunity ro further improve your reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. Beyond your high school studies, it may be useful to utilize external examinations such as the TOEFL® and TOEIC® Listening and Reading tests.

Contemporary Japanese

The Faculty of Culture and Information Science requires the ability to analyze large volumes of complex data, understand it in depth, and communicate it in an easy-to-understand manner. Specifically, students must be able to accurately comprehend the contents of prior papers and oral presentations, formulate their own opinions based on objective evidence, and express them in a precise and concise manner using a rich vocabulary. In short, the cultivation of advanced Japanese language skills is required. Please read extensively and across as wide a variety of genres as possible, especially academic articles, paying attention to words and expressions you encounter for the first time and to the ways logic is developed. This is not just useful for writing reports and papers; it is the basic training necessary to develop logical thinking skills. The Japanese language forms the basis for the thinking skills required for university study and research.

Mathematics

The Faculty of Culture and Information Science utilizes data science methods to elucidate cultural phenomena in the broadest sense. In doing so, knowledge of various mathematical concepts and familiarity with mathematical thinking are extremely important. More than just a superficial ability to be able to calculate or solve problems, the ability to dwell on issues deeply and logically is necessary. Please make a conscious effort to develop these skills during your mathematical studies in high school. Knowledge of statistics, informatics, etc., are required, as are the knowledge and skills for analyzing data using data science/ Of course, mathematics is the foundation of this knowledge. High school mathematics forms the basis of more advanced sciences and is useful not only in university studies but also in social activities. We hope you will consider an active study of mathematics in high school.

Diploma Policy (for Students of the 2023 Academic Year and Before)

A bachelor’s degree (Culture and Information Science) is awarded to students who have acquired the following qualities and abilities:

Knowledge and Skills

The skills to uncover knowledge of complex and elusive phenomena related to human culture through data science methods such as data collection, aggregation, and analysis, and the ability to conduct scientific research based on a broad knowledge of the cultural field.

Critical Thinking, Judgment, and Expression

• The ability to identify fundamental issues with respect to complex and elusive phenomena related to human culture in a form that takes into account a broad knowledge of the cultural field.
• The ability to conduct scientific inquiry into issues related to complex and elusive cultural and human phenomena based on hypothesis formulation, data generation, and hypothesis testing.

Independence, Diversity, and Cooperation

The ability to capture the essence of culture and human nature through flexible thinking that incorporates the perspectives of others without being limited by the boundaries of the humanities and sciences.

Diploma Policy (for students of the 2024 academic year and later)

A bachelor’s degree (Culture and Information Science) is awarded to students who have acquired the following qualities and abilities:

Knowledge and Skills

The ability to accurately grasp complex phenomena related to culture and humans, to master a variety of research techniques that transcend the boundaries of the humanities and sciences—from literature research to data collection, aggregation, and analysis—and to use them according to the purpose of research.

Critical Thinking, Judgment, and Expression

Possession of precise critical thinking and judgment skills acquired through independent research planning and execution, and high-level expressive faculties acquired through the presentation and dissemination of research results.

Independence, Diversity, and Cooperation

The ability to respond flexibly to changes in society and creatively push beyond the boundaries of the humanities and sciences and learn from others’ perspectives, as well as the intellectual vitality to venture into unknown fields for research and study.

Curriculum Policy (for students of the 2023 academic year and prior)

The following curriculum is designed to prepare students with the qualities and abilities described in the Diploma Policy.

Organization and Administration Policy

• An inquiry-oriented curriculum consisting of compulsory subjects, elective subjects I and II, and optional subjects is provided to foster individuals who can investigate cultural and human phenomena using scientific methods in order to discover and solve issues.
• The compulsory subjects provide basic knowledge and skills in hypothesis setting and scientific investigation related to human culture (17 credits). Elective subjects I covers cultural and data science diversity, divided into Groups A to C [A1] (56 credits). Finally, elective subjects II covers a wide range of knowledge and skills for the basic command of foreign languages, divided into Groups D to G (40 credits).

Knowledge and Skills

• Culture and Information Science (CIS) Practicum 1, 2, and 3 are offered in the first to second year as compulsory subjects for students to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to conduct scientific surveys, observations, and experiments.
• For Group A of elective subject I, the goal is to attain knowledge of a wide range of cultural fields that will form the subject of research conducted within the compulsory subjects. From the first through the third year, students select a minimum of 20 credits of lecture subjects consisting of cultural resources studies, linguistic data science, and behavioral data science.
• For Group B of elective subject I, the goal is to attain the knowledge and skills in data science that will serve as the basis for the scientific methods of research conducted in the compulsory subjects. From the first through the third year, students select a minimum of 18 credits of lecture and seminar subjects from data analysis, basic mathematics, and information and computer subjects.
• From Group G of elective subject II, students take the required credits from the first through the fourth year with the goal of attaining the knowledge and skills necessary to obtain licenses and certifications, as well as supplementing their knowledge and skills according to their individual interests.

Critical Thinking, Judgment, and Expression

• Through Joint Research and Graduation Study in compulsory subjects, students apply the knowledge and skills acquired in the first and second years and develop the ability to conduct research integrating the humanities and sciences.
• From Group E of elective subjects II, students take a minimum of eight credits of small-group seminars conducted in English from the first to second year, with the goal of attainment being to acquire a practical command of the English language.
• From Group F of elective subjects II, students take a minimum of four credits of small-group seminars in a language other than Japanese or English from the first through second year, with the goal of acquiring the basic command of an additional foreign language.

Independence, Diversity, and Cooperation

• Students cultivate the ability to work collaboratively while incorporating the perspectives of others through Joint Research and Graduation Study in compulsory subjects. In addition, through in-depth discussions on the research presentations of others in Colloquium and Advanced Colloquium, students acquire the attitude of accepting diverse interpretations.
• For Group C of elective subjects I, the goal is to develop intellectual curiosity and academic interest with respect to culture and people through various forms of experience, as well as an understanding of the importance of scientific inquiry. From the first through the third year, students take a minimum of four credits of lecture subjects conducted by experts in various fields.
• From Group D of elective subjects II, students take a minimum of 16 credits from the first through the fourth year, with the goal of developing flexible ideas that go beyond the boundaries of the humanities and sciences by acquiring a broad education in the founding spirit of Doshisha, career development, humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, etc.

Curriculum Policy (for students of the 2024 academic year and after)

The following curriculum is designed to prepare students with the qualities and abilities described in the Diploma Policy.

Organization and Administration Policy

• The inquiry-type curriculum is comprised of compulsory subjects, elective subjects, and optional subjects. It is designed to foster individuals who can discover and solve issues on their own through research into phenomena relating to human culture, and who can provide reliable information to society.
• The compulsory subjects provide students with basic literacy in reading and understanding cultural data logically and multilaterally. It also requires students to conduct research and experiments to set, solve and verify cultural issues and hypotheses through research activities in laboratories and other facilities. Students take 20 credits.
• Elective subjects are specialized to relate directly to Culture and Information Science (CIS), CIS academic subjects, foreign language subjects, etc. The CIS specialized subjects utilize a curriculum for the study of fields of cultural science and data science, which show promise for academic development through the integration of the humanities and sciences, as well as advanced fields in which integration is already progressing. Students take a minimum of 50 credits. The culture and information science academic subject curriculum is designed to refine student sensitivity to the issues facing human society through the acquisition of a broad range of educational topics in humanities and sciences. Students take a minimum of 32 credits. The foreign language curriculum is designed to improve student communication skills and deepen their understanding of different cultures. Students take a minimum of 12 credits.

Knowledge and Skills

• Compulsory subjects include Joint Research, Research Seminars, and Research Projects during the third and fourth years. Students acquire the knowledge and skills to respond flexibly to realistic situations by creatively applying the academic skills they have developed through previous coursework.
• Group A of the elective subjects comprises CIS specialized subjects, with the goal of obtaining knowledge and skills in the broad range of cultural sciences covered by CIS. Students take a minimum of 12 credits in the study of tangible and intangible cultural phenomena such as human language and behavior, literature, history, art, and performing arts, and representative research methods for these.
• Group D of the elective subjects comprises the CIS academic subjects. The goal for these is to help students cultivate a full awareness of the city of Kyoto and the rest of Japan surrounding it, as well as to enable them to concretely imagine a form of themselves and human society as they would like it to be. Students take a minimum of six credits from CIS topics and Creative Japan subjects.
• For Group I of the elective subjects, the goal is for students to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to obtain licenses and certifications, as well as supplement their own specific knowledge and skills according to their individual interests. Students take the required credits from the first until the fourth year.

Critical Thinking, Judgment, and Expression

• Compulsory subjects include Joint Research, Research Seminars, and Research Projects in the third and fourth years. Students will acquire thinking and judgment skills that enable them to discern priorities and develop a path towards problem solving, as well as the skills to express their contributions to others in an easily understandable way.
• Culture and Information Science (CIS) 1, 2, 3, and 4 are compulsory subjects offered from the first to the second year. Students gain an understanding of the current state of CIS through both lectures and discussions with other students. They will clarify how to position CIS in their own futures, and acquire the academic skills to both communicate and answer the questions that arise in the process.
• Group B of the elective subjects comprises CIS specialized subjects, with the goal being to master the elemental techniques of data science that form the foundation of CIS. Students take a minimum of 12 credits in basic computer science, statistical science, and mathematical science using examples related to culture and humans.
• Group E of the elective subjects comprises CIS academic subjects, with the goal of attainment being to develop the ability to think based on data, which is essential for scientific research. Students take a minimum of six credits from the Doshisha Approved Program for Data Science and AI Smart Higher Education (Literacy Level) component subjects.
• Group G of the elective subjects comprises foreign language subjects, with the goal of acquiring a practical command of English. Students take a minimum of eight credits of small-group English seminars during the first and second years.

Independence, Diversity, and Cooperation

• Compulsory subjects include Joint Research, Research Seminars, and Research Projects in the third and fourth years. Students acquire the means to critically appreciate the opinions of others, and attain diverse and collaborative qualities to take on major issues by combining ideas that differ from their own and thinking.
• Culture and Information Science (CIS) 1, 2, 3, and 4 are compulsory subjects offered from the first to the second year. Students will understand the significance of being involved in society as both a receiver and broadcaster of cultural information through student discussions in class. They will also learn the importance of considering matters from various angles in order to expand their ideas in a manner free from existing frameworks.
• Group C of the elective subjects comprises CIS specialized subjects, with the goal of attainment being to acquire new values through interdisciplinary exploration. Students take a minimum of 12 credits, primarily in cutting-edge CIS courses resulting from the integration of cultural science and data science.
• Group F of the elective subjects comprises CIS academic subjects, with the goal of obtaining a broad education to enrich their lives both inside and outside of academia. Students take a minimum of 14 credits from Doshisha subjects on the founding spirit of the university and Christianity, as well as career development support subjects, international education subjects, etc.
• Group H of the elective subjects comprises foreign language subjects, with the goal of acquiring the basic command of a foreign language other than English. Students take a minimum of four credits in small-group seminars in a foreign language other than English in the first and second years of study.