Existing in "something in between"
The etymology of the media is "something in between." The meaning shifted and it now also means something that bridges or mediates. For example, medium, the singular form of media can also refer to a spiritual medium, a psychic who mediates between the living and the dead.
One of the greatest intellectual discoveries in the twentieth century is, in my opinion, the realization that each time we try to think about something or interact with others, we ourselves already exist in this "something in between". For example, when we try to think, we have already tapped into the language by which we think. Or when we try to interact with society, we are already in public relations and publicness.
Whether it is language, culture, public relations, or journalism that is learned in this course, it is something between us and others in which we exist each time we think about it. Us thinking about such "things in between" could be like a fish thinking about "what is water" while it swims. Hopefully, in such an essential sense, you will practically approach your research.
Ryuichi Nishimura, Director of Course in International Media and Communication Studies
Aims of education and research
Observing contemporary society from the media and communication perspective
The purpose of this research discipline is to investigate and to analyze modern society from the perspective of media and communication. Our society is highly informatized and diversified. At the same time, it is divided into two extremes: globalization and localization. Modern society cannot be discussed without the media and communication perspective.
In the Course in International Media and Communication Studies, through research on both media and communication, we intend to develop human resources who can respond to rapid changes in modern society, and train researchers to engage in exceptional studies in a wide range of fields related to media and communication. From academic year 2019, after the unification of media communication studies and tourism studies, we created a wider variety of integrated courses. Equipped with new knowledge based on the synthesis of media and tourism, we are developing the human resources that will be required in contemporary society.
Specialized subjects
The specialized subjects in the Course in International Media and Communication Studies consist of four subject groups: International Public Relations, Public Communication and Journalism, Language and Communication, and Media and Culture. Classes are taught by faculty members from the international public relations, the public communication journalism, language and the communication, the media and communication, and the modern Japanese studies, as well as corporate experts.
One unique characteristic of the Graduate School of International Media, Communication, and Tourism Studies is the practical seminars taught by non-faculty members. Nomura Research Institute consultants teach International Management and Corporate Communication and Public Relations Planning Studies; Yomiuri Shimbun staff members teach Mass Media: Systems and Practice I and II.
In addition to the above-mentioned subjects, the integrated subject group bridges media communication and tourism with two more specialized seminars: Strategic Digital Communication, which is taught by Nomura Research Institute consultants and PR Service Industry Studies, which is taught by front-line Dentsu Inc. practitioners. Both are designated as inter-graduate school courses at Hokkaido University and are open to graduate students campus wide.