Faculty of Humanities（Sociology Department）

Overview

After mastering the basics of sociology and social research methodology, students will develop the ability to consider sociological analysis or solutions for themes they are interested in

Social phenomena and social issues are part and parcel of our lives. All of these are the targets of sociology.
Regions, media, families, welfare, world trends…. Which are you interested in?
This department offers an approach to the diversifying contemporary society through a curriculum divided into five tracks. Students will be trained in flexible thinking skills and independence.

The three abilities students will master

1. The ability to analyze society
   Students will learn both theoretical and practical knowledge about sociology, and acquire the skills for social research. They will master skills to analyze society that they can use in all sorts of fields in our complex and diverse society.
2. Intellectual capability and independence
   Through small-group seminars from the first to fourth year, students will hone their intellectual abilities and independence so that they can play a central role in civil society.
3. The ability to communicate
   Students will be trained in sociological imagination, which allows them to deeply understand the position of people faced with various problems, and communication skills so that they can work with others to solve problems.

Features of learning

1.  Individual instruction in small-group seminars
   Individual instruction is emphasized in all years through seminars with about 15 students. Within the broad field that is sociology, each student has their own diverse interests. Students will develop the ability to accurately analyze and think about a range of social phenomena and issues, why and how they arise, and how to solve them. In addition, students will also strive to improve their communication skills through group work and discussions with other students. This will provide intellectual capability and independence through the sort of detailed instruction possible with small groups, where the distance between students and the teacher is reduced.
2. A wealth of specialist subjects
   Specialist subjects in the Sociology Department are divided into the following five tracks. All tracks offer a wealth of subjects from basic level to advanced.
   Sociological Theory
   Learn about the basic ideas and theories of sociology. 

   Social Research
   Learn about the basics and skills of social research, statistics, and data analysis.

   Regional, International and Environmental Issues
   Learn about the family, regions, internationalization, environmental issues, and more from a sociological perspective.

   Media and Modern Society
   Learn about the nature of media such as television and the internet, trends in modern society.

   Social Welfare
   Learn the basics of social welfare and its various fields from theoretical and practical perspectives.

3. Fostering social research professionalsA certified social researcher is a professional surveyor who has the ability to grasp social or market trends, social phenomena, and so on using the skills and knowledge of social research, and the ability to point out and improve problems with research. This department offers a range of subjects, from the basic theory of social research to the statistical theory required for social research to practical lessons on carrying out social research on the general public. Students can not only obtain qualifications as a certified social researcher of Matsuyama University’s Faculty of Humanities at the end of their third year, but, when they graduate, they can obtain qualifications as a certified social researcher from the Japanese Association for Social Research.