Foreign criticism centers on the Japanese tendency to avoid asserting their own opinions. If Japan were to contribute as a member of the global community, we must overcome this situation. This is what makes studying at ICU important. Liberal arts education aims to maturate humans, while specialized education ignores this. I would like to especially note that we are encouraged to read our texts with a critical attitude, starting from the English Language Program of our freshman year.
Lectures deliver the basics, and teachers encourage students to solve problems on their own.
In this sense, the liberal arts at ICU is ideal, although it goes against the trend in Japan. This not only includes the emphasis on an interdisciplinary approach but an antitheses for a tradition of specialization. If an academic approach is necessary for environmental problems, we must open a new road to solve presently developing problems. However, specialized knowledge does not regard this to be important. Solutions are sought from traditional methods, and often does not improve the situation.