/ Atsunobu Sasaki / Professor
/ Janet R. Goodwin / Professor
/ A. K. M. H. Huq / Professor
/ Koji Gotoh / Associate Professor
/ Koichi Hasegawa / Associate Professor
/ Ken Nakazawa / Research Associate
(1) The Function of the Center for Cultural Research and Studies
The ideal university curriculum not only aims to educate students in their professional discipline, but also to provide them with a broad background that enables them to think critically and independently and to contribute to the welfare of humanity . Through its broad-based educational and research program in the humanities, social sciences, physical education, and education (pedagogy), the Center for Cultural Research and Studies pursues this goal.
Following their own interests, students can examine their cultural heritage and that of other societies. The Center faculty can help them by devising innovative educational methods, including those that use computers, and by constantly striving to improve those methods through exchange of information with other faculty at the university.
The worldwide spread of technology has enhanced human welfare but at the same time has also threatened the diversity of cultures and the global ecosystem. Throughout the world, people are struggling to assert human dignity, to defend the value of human life, and to prevent environmental destruction. How can we satisfy the daily needs of all individuals and societies on earth and develop the latent possibilities of human beings? Our work at the Center can help to clarify these issues and can perhaps suggest ways to resolve their inherent conflicts. We have got to look forward to contribute our share in creating a better world ahead through more communication and mutual understanding.
We can also examine the historical-cultural heritage and characteristic ways of life in the various regions of Fukushima prefecture, especially the Aizu area. Our center can participate in exchanges of information concerning regional history and culture, with the aim of enhancing both local culture and that of Japan and the world.
(2)Main Research Areas and Topics of the Center Faculty
The Center is composd of scholar-teachers in the following disciplines: literature, history, international relations, sociology, physical education, and education (the history and psychology of pedagogy). Faculty are engaged in the following research projects: "Kunikida Doppo and the Expressions of Contemporary" (K. Gotoh), "Gender and Marginality in Medieval Japan" (J. Goodwin), "International NGOs in Bangladesh-Japanese and Western" (H. Huq), "Regional Integration of Medical Care and Social Welfare in an Aging Society" (A. Sasaki), "Systemization and Construction of Kendo Techniques" (K. Hasegawa), "Spiritual Tempo and Expressive Tempo" (K. Nakazawa), "Study of Pedagogical Thought" (K. Ota), and "Study of the Choice of Course in Youth" (N. Kikuchi).
The Center's faculty are also engaged in joint research projects and are planning others for the current academic year. Ongoing projects are a study of the activities of Japanese NGOs in Bangladesh (H. Huq) and a project to develop computer-based teaching materials on Japanese history, focusing on the Aizu region (J. Goodwin). The Center as a whole is planning a new joint research project entitled "Human Development and Culture - the Role of Computers", which will explore the relationship between the capacity for producing, processing, and storing information created by computer technology, and ecological, sociocultural, and individual human concerns.
The Center can help prepare students for work that benefits society as a whole and can contribute toward the university's goals of internationalization, human development, and the promotion of regional industry, education, and culture.