BA in Liberal Arts

The uniqueness of the BA program lies in the comparative teaching of international perspectives, the Core Curriculum and Learning Clusters, the semester of Study Abroad and an emphasis on language, art, and culture.

Core Curriculum is a series of two sequential courses taken by all students, focusing on a range of issues related to such SUA values as peace, human rights and the creative co-existence of nature and humanity.

Learning Clusters are research seminars designed to bridge theory and practice in the investigation of a specific question, and to elicit in the way of a specific product, an educated outcome or response. Students work in teams with one or more faculty facilitators to propose, research and model constructive approaches to local, regional and/or global issues.

All SUA undergraduate students concentrate on a non-native language and culture. All students participate in a semester of study abroad during their junior year.

The undergraduate learning outcomes are:

1. To foster an awareness of the needs of our changing world through developing a sense of history and an understanding of the nature of reality

2. To think and investigate critically and creatively

3. To be effective at various modes of expression and communication

4. To acquire knowledge and appreciation of multiple cultures and traditions

5. To become, through integrative learning, active and informed global citizens

Soka University BA graduates have been accepted to top graduate schools, including Harvard, Yale, Columbia, Stanford, USC, UC Berkeley, UCLA, University of Hawaii Law School and London School of Economics. SUA graduates are currently employed all around the world, and are working in law, business, education, nursing and medical practices, at the World Bank, Peace Corps, and United Nations ... just to name a few!

How Will You Know an SUA graduate?

SUA graduates will be true international citizens, comfortably discoursing in English and in other languages on a range of topics – from their careers to the arts and the environment and, more importantly, the peace and well-being of the global community. They also will be recognized by the breadth of their education
– a familiarity with the great works of the East and West as well as with issues relevant to their communities and the world at large. They will incorporate the outlook of many cultures and modes of thought in their writing, speech and thought, bringing an inclusive and critical perspective to their analysis of opinion, issues, and policy.

As leaders and decision-makers, SUA graduates will be guided by the ideal of a contributive life and a humanistic approach inspired by Buddhist principles. Leading a contributive life means valuing the individual ahead of individualism, ideas ahead of ideology, and compassion ahead of sentimentality. Appreciation for the individual regardless of national origin, group affiliation, race, color, creed, or gender is a hallmark of SUA’s graduates. Leaders in many walks of life, these graduates will manifest their education and their character through their commitment to the central values of global citizenship, justice, freedom, human rights, and peace – not as abstractions, but as the foundation of their daily intercourse with others.

Implementing the Vision

In order to prepare its students to become global citizens, SUA has brought together an international faculty and an international student body. This diversity in itself helps to create a climate for learning, and weaves a global perspective into the fabric of daily campus life.

SUA classrooms are centers of dialogue and discussion, emphasizing seminar course settings. Students work in small teams in the classroom and with faculty on research projects, as well as with peers on residence hall learning activities. Advanced computing and telecommunication capabilities are widely available in all buildings and outside gathering areas, supporting a laptop computer campus. Information technology facilitates student-faculty and student-student interactions, as well as interaction with the wider world.

The undergraduate degree offered at SUA is a B.A. in Liberal Arts, with concentrations in Environmental Studies, Humanities, International Studies, Life Sciences, and Social and Behavioral Sciences. Each of these concentrations supports the Pacific Basin focus of SUA, as well as its emphasis on leadership and contributive citizenship. Degree offerings and concentrations will increase in number and range consistent with enrollment increases and student interests. Programs and courses have been designed to provide students with the following:

• Multiple perspectives drawing on diverse cultures, traditions, and points of view with special attention given to Eastern and Western thought and practice.

• A general education program that introduces students to disciplinary knowledge and perspectives, as well as to critical and creative thinking and to the communication skills necessary for life-long learning.

• A core curriculum that reflects the values that inspired the creation of SUA through the study of the great works of the human mind.

• Language offerings that enable access to the literature and culture of different Pacific Basin peoples.

• A study abroad or internship experience for half the junior year, that deepens students’ language skills and their awareness of the culture supporting that language.

• Learning clusters that organize small teams of students and faculty to conduct interdisciplinary research and develop proposals and solutions for issues of local, regional, or global significance.