Doctoral Course

Division of Human and Socio-Environmental Studies (Enrollment Limit: 18)

In the doctoral program, studies primarily focus on pursuing one’s chosen research topic through an extensive reading of the literature, collection and analysis of primary sources such as experimental data or field survey data, and other investigative materials. The coursework serves as a platform for research guidance. The success of a doctoral dissertation is directly linked to a student’s independent research attitude. The degrees awarded by this program include the Doctor of Social and Environmental Studies, Doctor of Letters, Doctor of Laws, Doctor of Political Science, Doctor of Economics, and Doctor of Philosophy. The program aims to cultivate university educators, researchers in private think tanks, and highly specialized professionals equipped with research capabilities in corporations and local governments.

The Ideal Doctoral Candidate

The objective of the doctoral program is to cultivate highly creative university educators, researchers, and professionals with specialized expertise who can thrive in interdisciplinary research fields of human and socio-environmental studies. Therefore, the program seeks students who not only possess a high level of expertise in their respective traditional academic disciplines but also have the determination further to advance cutting-edge research from a comprehensive and integrative perspective. In particular, as human and socio-environmental studies encompass the education and research of diverse fields that focus on “cultural environment,” “social environment,” and “human beings themselves,” students in this program are expected to demonstrate an open-minded attitude toward others, respect for different cultures, an active interest in these areas, a flexible approach to unfamiliar phenomena, and a strong commitment to logical reasoning.