First year

Students learn to appreciate and understand the practicalities of diverse fields of the arts and their cultural and historical backgrounds, studying the basics of design and the formative arts through design, video and information processing to lay the most fertile possible foundation for four years of study. At the same time, they focus on the general cultural and art and design subjects offered by all departments in the College of Art and Design, cultivating a broader vision through interaction beyond the confines of the Department. The arts projects run in all years prepare students for practical fieldwork and help to nurture their capabilities.

Second year

From their foundation coursework in museology and other visual arts domains, students extend their studies to acquire a more indepth understanding of the state of arts and culture through the study and analysis of both Japanese and international arts organizations and institutions. Students also conduct research on the visual arts, media and management, in a comprehensive look at culture and representation in the fine arts, design, architecture, media arts, crafts and folk art. Students begin their studies in media presentation by learning about the media environment and understanding different media, then explore areas of personal interest such as visual expression, spatial expression, filmic art, web design and editing.

Third year

In their third year, students develop the theory and practice learned in the first two years further into two specialist domains. In that of the science of art, museum studies and art management course, in addition to theoretical studies and museology, students study criticism, exhibition design and installation, and the methodologies for public relations work, through practical work. In the media planning course, they study methodologies for media research and media activities, plus skills such as editing and planning, and are expected to propose original design methodologies. In the second half of the year, instructors offer seminars concentrating on specific specialist areas.

Fourth year

Seminars by instructors continue, and students progress to research and practical work for graduation. Refining their awareness of future challenges, students take time to conduct in depth work on their individual research topics. In their theses, students are expected not to simply rework existing studies, but to engage in objective analysis and research, and explore their own visions for the future and practical solutions. Where the aim is to produce works of art or design, they are required to offer original ideas based on their observations of contemporary society and culture.

Elective courses in third and fourth years

Science of art, museum studies and arts management course To train individuals of exceptional talent and skill to play vital supporting roles in the cultural and artistic spheres, the course teaches students to identify current issues, further their knowledge through international comparisons, and acquire the values and data handling expertise required to put that knowledge into practice. Students delve deeper into the history of art and design, contemporary arts theory, design theory, cultural and sociological theory and other theories through specialized cultural studies, arts literacy and curation coursework, and study the latest frontline developments in museology. Observing how culture and the arts function and contribute to society through specific organizations and cultural facilities such as art museums, markets, and NPOs, students propose new methodologies in the quest to enrich people's lives and offer intellectual and spiritual sustenance through art and culture.

Media planning course

The fundamental themes of the media planning course are understanding the connections between people and things, people and information, and people and the environment, and forming relationships between those connections, as well as finding ways to develop communication techniques. Based on theoretical studies of the media from perspectives including representational culture and communication, students learn editing (print, video, web, illustrated books), media project coordination, advertising planning, visual design, space design, and web design. Students exploring media expression acquire a command of the latest technologies and methodologies in order to shape communication design in new ways for the benefit of the wider community.