教員紹介（国際コミュニケーション学部 グローバルコミュニケーション学科）

My primary interest is the history of writing and critical thinking pedagogy, specifically in locating grassroots Japanese education movements in a larger global context. My current research project looks at the writing pedagogy movement of Seikatsu Tsuzurikata (生活綴り方), particularly as it evolved in northern Honshu, and its relationship to and engagement with the German hermeneutical （解釈論）tradition of Wilhelm Dilthey. I also explore how this legacy of critical pedagogy informed Seikatsu Tsuzurikata’s relationship to the education reforms of the U.S. Occupation (1945-52). Although this research is very specific, it touches upon larger issues that might interest KUINS students, such as the evolution of critical thinking pedagogy in Japan, as well as the ongoing incorporation of foreign (e.g. German, French, Russian, English and American) intellectual traditions within Japanese culture and thought.

My other main area of research is examining global trends in higher education, particularly in the field of quality assurance, learning assessment and teaching practice. For those students who are interested in the “business” of higher education, they might find this topic of particular interest. Both as an institutional researcher and as an individual academic, I have studied how higher education institutions define, measure and analyze universities’ performance in facilitating student learning.

I am from the northeastern part of the United States, having grown up near Boston. I have been fortunate enough to have lived near many interesting cities, including New York City, San Francisco, Tokyo and Shanghai. I have also lived in rural areas, including Akita, Niigata, the Koshikijima archipelago off Kyushu and the prairies of Minnesota. Through my travels with my wife and family, I have also visited Senegal, Morocco, France, Spain and Italy. These experiences have given me a glimpse into the many different societies and peoples around the world. I believe experiencing such diverse environments, ideas and culture has helped me become a better person and teacher.

The 21st century world will present new career challenges and opportunities. Students who are willing to work hard, think clearly, and plan step-by-step will be able to achieve goals that they might not have thought possible. A KUINS education can be the first step in this exciting, life-long journey. I have spent most of the last 20 years of my life assisting students in their quest to accomplish the impossible and unimaginable. I look forward to supporting you along a similar path!

現代日本の教育史、特に国際教育の動向との関係

国際的な高等教育における最近の傾向、特に教育の内部質保証、学修と教育の強化について。

日本の教育における批判的思考法について

国際教育組織経営論