Undergraduate School

Faculty of Arts and Crafts

Department of Fine Arts

Art Studies Major

Responding to social demand and each student,s academic interest, this major strives to inculcate in individuals a profound understanding of art history and philosophy, which enables them to contribute to the cultural development of the world. The faculty members, specializing in aesthetics, art studies, Japanese art history, and Western art history, provide students with an educational framework which satisfies interests in philosophical, theoretical and historical studies. Opportunities to acquire practical techniques are arranged throughout the four years of study in order to promote deeper understanding of artistic activities based on creative experience.

Graduate School

Graduate School of Formative Arts

Master,s Program

Comparative Art Studies Major

1. Master,s Degree in Comparative Art Studies

The curriculum is firmly based on the foundations of comparative research on Japanese, Eastern and Western art studies and art history. It is also founded on historical perspectives that cover the areas of classical through contemporary art. The Master,s program in comparative art studies aims to cultivate a constructive but critical philosophy of contemporary art through a variety of approaches so that its graduates can contribute both to regional and international cultural development.

2. Master,s Degree in Ethnic Art and Culture

Okinawa possesses extraordinarily abundant regional traditions and culture, even when compared with Japan and other Asian regions. The object of this program is to study the unique artistic culture of Okinawa from various viewpoints such as Ryukyuan literature, ethnology, Japanese literature and comparative literature.

Graduate School of Art and Cultural Studies

Ph.D. Program

The doctoral program is divided into two research fields: Studies in Comparative Fine Art and Ethnomusicology. Three areas in each have been established. Students may select one field and will receive research guidance. One course is required of all students: Comprehensive Approach to Comparative Studies in Artistic Expression. To receive their degree, candidates must complete three elective courses and be examined on their Doctoral dissertation.

Doctorate in Comparative Fine Arts

The Ph.D. program in Comparative Aesthetics and Fine Arts is based on the varied insights introduced by the analysis of value structures of art experience. It also strives to explore and reflect on the nature of Eastern art in the light of comparative typology. As well as examining the diverse interpretations of iconology by means of its present methodology, the program aims to make the current status of methodology the object of critical consideration.

In the history of art criticism, there is a need to reflect on the limits of research methodologies in that they tend to focus exclusively on historical surveys or on artworks. This program sets out to reconstruct the history of Western, Eastern and Japanese artistic thought through an accurate understanding of historical materials and close examination of the ideological and historical backgrounds that have generated artworks. To that end various research methods in the humanities are employed.

In ethnic and cultural studies, substantial research is undertaken on the role of arts and cultures of different ethnic groups by means of as much fieldwork as possible, and through the study of ethnology and literature. Such research, for example, might be conducted on Ryukyuan oral traditions (ancient ballads), omoro, kumiodori or ryuka. Another possible area of research is, for example, the origins of utaki (sacred groves). Comparative studies borrowing from various research methods in the fields of linguistics, literature and anthropology are employed.

Scholarships

Students who wish to study at OPUA may apply for the following scholarships and student aid offered by the Japanese government and other public and private foundations.

Japanese Government

(Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology)

Several scholarships are available for international students and researchers.

For further details see:

http://www.mext.go.jp/english/abroad/foreigners/04061801.htm

http://www.mext.go.jp/english/abroad/foreigners/04061802.htm

Japan Student Services Organization

･Payment of Honors Scholarship for Privately Financed International Students

･Short-term Student Exchange Promotion Program

For further details see:

http://www.jasso.go.jp/about_jasso/documents/outline07_04.pdf

Okinawa Prefectural Government

･Okinawa Prefecture Bursary for Privately-financed International Students

For further details see:

http://www3.pref.okinawa.jp/site/view/contview.jsp?cateid=65&id=9787&page=1

Private Sector

There are several private organizations that offer scholarships to international students.

more detail ⇒ Official school catalog（pdf）