In this department, students discover their own research topics within specialized fields focused on particular regions and historical periods, and deepen their learning mainly through seminar courses.

The Department of History is broadly divided into two regional fields: “Asian and Japanese History” and “European and American History”. Each of these fields is further divided by period, ancient, medieval, early modern, and modern/contemporary history.

In the first year, students take introductory courses in the two fields above, and “Transregional and Related Studies”, “Introduction to Historical Research”, Introductory Seminars, etc. They acquire the basic methods of historical study through these courses. This year is also a time to explore a wide range of areas and discover one’s own interests.

In the second year, students join preparatory seminars that focus on specific regions and periods, learning more advanced methods of research.

From the third year, students participate in specialized seminars under the guidance of their academic supervisors, developing their analytical and critical skills. In the fourth year, they write a graduation thesis as the culmination of their four years of study.

For more details, please refer to our syllabus.

This department defines the abilities and knowledge that students are expected to acquire by the time of graduation as follows.

Students who meet the graduation requirements are recognized as having attained these competencies and will be awarded a degree.

Graduates of this department pursue a wide range of career paths.

Some apply their expertise in history to become curators at art museums or historical museums, or history teachers at junior and senior high schools. Many students also choose to continue their studies in graduate school, either in Japan or abroad, to further deepen their research.

In the private sector, graduates find employment in publishing, the media, and education, as well as in other cultural and intellectual industries. At the same time, the skills they have developed through the study of history — such as textual analysis, critical thinking, and logical reasoning — are highly valued in diverse fields, including finance, trading companies, information services, and public administration.

Without being limited to any particular industry, graduates of the Department of History apply their versatile abilities to succeed in a wide variety of professions.


At Sophia University’s Department of History, located on the historic Yotsuya Campus and supported by outstanding faculty members and a rich library collection, students can fully devote themselves to the study of history.