2025 Application Guide for Online Course (Okayama University)

Purpose

This program is offered as a fully “on-demand online course” designed to provide overseas students who are interested in Japanese culture with an opportunity to deepen their understanding of both Japan and Okayama University.

Eligibility

• Must have completed high school or higher education.

• Must have a clear commitment and willingness to complete the course responsibly through to the end.

Courses Overview

Students may choose “one course” from the following four options.　
Each course is offered in an “on-demand online course”, consisting of 14 video lectures (35 minutes each). 
During the designated study period indicated below, students are required to view all video lectures in their selected course, complete all assigned tasks, and submit the required assignments.
There are “no prerequisites” for enrollment; however, students are strongly encouraged to take the courses sequentially from Course 1 to ensure a better understanding of the content.
For detailed information on each course, please refer to the syllabus.

Course Period

February 15– March 31, 2026 (Japan Standard Time, JST)

Language of instruction

Japanese and English (The video includes English subtitles; however, some parts may contain AI-generated translations.)

Course1: Social Issues Reflected in Artworks of the Seto Inland Sea　Syllabus_course1

This course examines the Naoshima-based regional revitalization initiative in the Setouchi area, where contemporary art and cultural projects have transformed local communities since the 1980s. Through video lectures and testimonies from artists, residents, and experts, students explore how art addresses depopulation, human rights, cultural preservation, and environmental issues. Drawing on interviews, research analyses, and visual archives, the course encourages critical reflection on the social impact of art-led development.

Course2: Approaching Transdisciplinary Artworks – Case Studies Addressing SDG Challenges　Syllabus_course2　　　　　　　　　　　　

This course explores how artworks can foster transdisciplinary collaboration and address social challenges linked to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Focusing on cases such as the legacy of Yasuo Kuniyoshi, the preservation of artworks created by Hansen’s disease survivors, post-earthquake restoration projects, and an international art festival in northern Okayama, the course examines how art engages with democracy, human rights, education, and community revitalization through diverse testimonies and research materials.

Course3: Driving the Setouchi Art Movement Toward a Circular Society Syllabus_course3

Building on previous studies of Setouchi’s art-based revitalization in Setouchi, this course deepens reflection on how cultural and artistic projects address social issues in the region. Focusing on “Benesse Art Site Naoshima”, it examines the social dimensions of this initiative while also considering the current conditions and future challenges of cultural resource preservation throughout the Setouchi area.

Course4: Exploring Setouchi’s Art Through Dialogue and Inquiry Syllabus_course4

This course is the final installment in the series on art and modern society in the Seto Inland Sea. Building on insights from previous courses, it invites students to engage with edited testimonies and materials to critically reflect on the relationship between artworks and social issues, considering diverse perspectives shaped by collaborators, regional contexts, and personal experiences.

Enrollment Capacity

20 participants per course
※If the number of applicants exceeds 20, priority will be given to students enrolled in regular programs at partner institutions of Okayama University.

Course Fee

Students enrolled at partner institutions of Okayama university may take the courses free of charge. 

Evaluation Policy & Academic Transcript

Students are required to submit written reports based on the course content.
Each report will be individually assessed by the instructors.

Grading Criteria

F: The report consists only of personal impressions based on the video, without meaningful insight.
C: Demonstrates the ability to formulate critical questions based on one’s own insights.
B: Offers a comprehensive critique of the video content.
A: Independently gathers external information beyond the video and constructs a hypothesis.
A+: Tests the hypothesis and creatively refines or reframes it.

Report and Point Breakdown

1. Report for Each Video (25 minutes)

   – 4 criteria × 2 points × 28 reports (approx. 1 A5 page each)
   – Each of the four criteria (1)–(4) is graded on a 2-point scale. The total is divided by 4 to obtain the score for each report.

2. Report for Each Content Unit
   

   – 4 criteria × 4 points × 14 reports (approx. 1 A4 page each)
   – Each of the four criteria (1)–(4) is graded on a 4-point scale. The total is divided by 4 to calculate the final score for each report.

3. Final Course Report
   

   – 50 points (approx. 3 A4 pages)

Since the total maximum score across all reports is 162 points, your final grade will be calculated as: Total score × 0.62 (Decimal points will be rounded to the nearest tenth.)

Check!

Transcripts will be issued to all students around the end of April 2026.
For students who complete this course and later enroll in an undergraduate program at Okayama University, each course may be recognized as a previously earned credit (1 credit per course) toward their degree requirements.

Important Notes

• Even for online classes, all requirements listed in the syllabus (assignments,  exams, etc.) must be fulfilled.
• Failure to complete classes and submit assignments within the designated period will result in an “F” grade (failure) being assigned.
• Assignments submitted after the deadline will not be accepted under any circumstances.
• Recording, audio capture, or unauthorized use of course materials are strictly prohibited.

Agreements

Applicants must read and agree to the following terms:

• To comply with university online course regulations and instructions.
• To refrain from unauthorized recording, redistribution, or use of course materials.
• To review and understand syllabus contents, including course contents, assignments, and course requirements.
• To review and understand grading policies, assessment methods, and attendance requirements.
• To acknowledge that this course is at the undergraduate level (for graduate students).
• To complete the course and submit assignments within the designated period, understanding that failure to do so will results in an F grade.

Application Procedures

Submission of Application Form

Complete theApplication for Online Course Registration with required information and submit it via email to the Okayama University.

• Deadline
  Friday, January 16, 2026 (Japan Standard Time, JST)
• Submission & Contact
  International Education and Student Mobility Division,
  Academic Affairs Department,　OKAYAMA UNIVERSITY
  Email: OU-program●adm.okayama-u.ac.jp
  　　　*Please change ● to @.

Review and Approval

After reviewing the application, Okayama University will notify applicants of the approval status by Friday, January 30, 2026.

Additional Information

• Approval for online course registration is valid only for the current semester. Students must reapply for future terms.

• Okayama university may request additional documents if deemed necessary.