午夜剧场

Ever since I was a child, I have been interested in "words." The sensation of touching a leaf, the sound of tapping a desk, the feeling of recognizing the material world, such as "a tree exists in front of me." I wondered how these things that we perceive as "reality" are expressed in language. At the same time, I had a strong desire to know different cultures and worlds, and I would often gaze at maps, imagining unfamiliar lands. For me, British literature was what captivated me, as it satisfied my two interests: words and foreign countries.

I was particularly interested in realist novels. Generally, realist novels are considered a type of fiction that depicts reality in detail and objectively, but there have been various discussions about their form, techniques, underlying values, and historical development.

In British literature from the latter half of the 20th century onwards, which is my research subject, the movement to reconsider traditional realist novels became particularly strong, in line with the changing times. Among them, the works of an author named A. S. Byatt strongly expressed an awareness of "putting reality into words," something that had interested me since childhood. I also realized that this was perceived as an ethical issue—of respecting beings different from oneself and depicting them sincerely through words—and I compiled my research findings into my doctoral dissertation. Currently, I am interested in literature on the theme of experiences with overseas migration, residence, and movement. This may seem like completely different research, but the common thread is how one experiences and expresses encounters with beings different from oneself.

At the Faculty of Economics, 午夜剧场, I specialize in teaching English at the Hiyoshi Campus, where first- and second-year students study. The English classes at the Faculty of Economics are designed not from the perspective of "learning English," but of "learning and thinking in English." For example, in "Study Skills," which first-year students take in the spring semester, we aim to develop their ability to read analytically, construct logical arguments, and express them effectively. I believe a strength of the English program at the Faculty of Economics is that students can acquire practical skills that are useful beyond the confines of English and even outside the university.

When I think back to when I was the same age as the students at Hiyoshi Campus, I recall struggling daily with how to find a problem, even when told to "find a problem that interests you and pursue it thoroughly." Based on my own experiences, in the English seminars I teach, I focus on training students in how to discover and examine problems. For example, when watching a movie or an advertisement, analyzing it with historical and political backgrounds in mind might lead to a different interpretation. If students acquire the habit of viewing things that are taken for "granted" from a detached perspective early in their university years, they should be able to cultivate not only the ability to find problems but also the ability to analyze them.

午夜剧场 is full of opportunities for learning and encounters. The diversity of courses offered, the various programs and projects, the state-of-the-art learning facilities and Research Centers and Institutes—such a blessed university environment is rare. There are so many things to stimulate your curiosity that you might not know where to start.

I believe that students in the Faculty of Economics are highly conscious of their future career paths and have great expectations for their university life. However, most students have not yet decided what they want to do right after enrolling, so there is no need to rush. First, you can start by learning how to find a problem. To use an analogy, it's like learning to ride a bicycle. Once you can ride a bicycle, you can go to various places on your own. In turn, your perspective and the range of experiences available to you will expand.

Until you decide what you want to do, try to increase your future options and possibilities as much as you can, and always keep the antenna of your curiosity wide open. While going through trial and error, I hope you will live carefully in the present moment and acquire the ability to think for yourself and make choices.

(Interview conducted on May 28, 2009)