OBJECTIVEGreetings
For thousands of years, analog documents on slates, clay tablets, and paper have supported all kinds of human and social activities, such as explanation, communication, promise, register, and demonstration, while also reflecting the past. However, in today’s society, where ICT is expanding and digital transformation is rapidly progressing, we are being swallowed up by digital network systems that instantly exchange astronomical amounts of data. Under these circumstances, can we really use records and archives to interact with human beings, create society, and enjoy culture?
The archivist is responsible for this fate. Through acquired knowledge and skills,such as appraising and collecting, preserving and accessing, outreaching and developing management programs for records and archives in a digital/hybrid environment, and ultimately embracing the archival professionals, we will contribute to humanity and society with a timeless perspective on countless unknown issues.
About us
The Graduate Course in Archival Science at the Graduate School of Humanities, Gakushuin University, was established in 2008 as the first graduate program in Japan to offer research and education in the field of “archival science.” In the master’s course, students are trained to become world-class archivists, and following the doctoral course, they can become senior archivists, administrators of archival institutions, and scholars in archival science.
In addition, our master’s program meets the requirements of Archivist Certified by the National Archives of Japan (NAJ), and the knowledge and skills necessary for archivists can be systematically acquired through the course.
The program offers
- Curriculum organization based on various standards, emphasizing the integration of theory and practice
- Classes taught by a variety of instructors, including experienced archivists
- Active academic exchanges with overseas research institutions in Asia, Europe, and the United States
- Evening and Saturday-centered class schedule to accommodate working adults
- Encouragement for active research activities, including off-campus training and independent projects.
History and our mission
In 1987, Japan enacted Public Archives Act, which was a foundation for the placement of professionals in public archives. However, archivists, the professionals who are supposed to play a central role in the activities of records and archives, were not always assigned due to a lack of a proper training system in that field.
More than 30 years have passed since then, and many people have been making efforts to overcome this situation. Furthermore, Public Records and Archives Management Act enacted in 2009 positions public records and Archives as an intellectual resource to be shared by the people in supporting the basis of sound democracy. It can be said that society’s expectations for archives are higher than ever before.
In 2012, the Japan Society for Archival Science (JSAS) started the Registered Archivist program, which enables outstanding professional personnel to be sent to institutions and organizations involved in the management of records and the preservation and access of archives.
What is even more noteworthy is that the National Archives of Japan (NAJ) has established a certification program of Archivists in 2020, with the aim of developing human resources that can play an active role in archival institutions. In this program, our course is positioned as an educational institution where students can systematically acquire the knowledge and skills necessary for archivists through the master’s program courses.
The development of human resources involved in preserving and providing access to records and archives, which support the foundations of the nation and society, has only just begun. In cooperation with related institutions, our course will grow to meet the expected social mission.