卒業論文詳細 | 同志社大学社会学研究科

学科	教育文化学科	ゼミ教員名	WILLIAM ROBERT STEVENSON III	年度	2024年度
タイトル	The Impact of Taking Time Away From University on Global Human Resource Development in Japanese Society: Perceptions of Those Who Take a Leave of Absence

内容	This paper , in the context of the need to develop global human resources , focuses on “positive leave of absence ,” which is defined as taking a purposeful break from formal education for a certain period of time in what would parallel the Western concept of a “gap year”. As a result of examining the impact of positive leaves of absence on the development of global human resources in Japan through personal growth , it suggests that improvements in language skills , communication skills , cooperation and flexibility , a spirit of challenge , and cross-cultural understanding are promoted by such periods of absence , and that they can be expected to contribute to the development of global human resources. On the other hand , the effects of taking a leave of absence are not uniform , as they depend on the individual's circumstances , such as the activity environment and content. In addition , it is inferred that positive leaves of absence that involve traveling abroad can be expected to improve independence , as they require planning and action that emphasize independence in a way that typical university-administered study abroad programs do not.

内容

This paper , in the context of the need to develop global human resources , focuses on “positive leave of absence ,” which is defined as taking a purposeful break from formal education for a certain period of time in what would parallel the Western concept of a “gap year”. As a result of examining the impact of positive leaves of absence on the development of global human resources in Japan through personal growth , it suggests that improvements in language skills , communication skills , cooperation and flexibility , a spirit of challenge , and cross-cultural understanding are promoted by such periods of absence , and that they can be expected to contribute to the development of global human resources. On the other hand , the effects of taking a leave of absence are not uniform , as they depend on the individual's circumstances , such as the activity environment and content. In addition , it is inferred that positive leaves of absence that involve traveling abroad can be expected to improve independence , as they require planning and action that emphasize independence in a way that typical university-administered study abroad programs do not.

講評	The modern practice in parts of Europe and North America of taking a “gap year” for educational gain is rooted in the traditional understanding that some of the best learning experiences occur outside the classroom and independent of any school curricula. Unfortunately , as she argues in this insightful study , the idea of a “gap year” remains a foreign concept to most Japanese , with the closest Japanese term (“leave of absence”) having undesirable implications. Yet , despite the negative image of using a year to either travel aboard or gain some new experience within Japan , she shows that the benefits of a “positive leave of absence” are significant. It is my hope that her study will convince more students to undertake such ventures and that “gap year” experiences will soon be the norm.

講評

The modern practice in parts of Europe and North America of taking a “gap year” for educational gain is rooted in the traditional understanding that some of the best learning experiences occur outside the classroom and independent of any school curricula. Unfortunately , as she argues in this insightful study , the idea of a “gap year” remains a foreign concept to most Japanese , with the closest Japanese term (“leave of absence”) having undesirable implications. Yet , despite the negative image of using a year to either travel aboard or gain some new experience within Japan , she shows that the benefits of a “positive leave of absence” are significant. It is my hope that her study will convince more students to undertake such ventures and that “gap year” experiences will soon be the norm.

キーワード1	gap year
キーワード2	leaves of absence
キーワード3	global human resources
キーワード4	study abroad
キーワード5	personal growth