What is the real meaning of globalization? How can we ensure that the various dimensions of globalization contribute positively to greater peace, cooperation and understanding between nations? What roles do language and culture play in achieving these goals? What forms of knowledge and skills concerning language and culture do the youth of today – and the leaders of tomorrow – need in order to take an active part in promoting them? The Linguistics and Cultural Studies program has been specifically designed to respond to such questions and meet such needs.
Japan is an ideal location from which to study and experience both the historical roots and the latest developments of international society. It is a nation with close historical ties to many countries throughout the world and is a leading contributor to all aspects of globalization. At the same time, there is widespread global interest in many aspects of Japanese culture, from Zen Buddhism, noh drama and the classical arts of ikebana and tea ceremony to the latest trends in manga, animation, architecture and fashion.