Soka University
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Soka University (創価大学, Sōka Daigaku) first opened in Japan in 1971 for undergraduate students, and the graduate school opened 1975. Soka University of America, which is a separate non-profit organization incorporated in California, is a private educational institution that opened a graduate campus in 1994 and in a four year liberal arts college in 2001 (Aliso Viejo, California). Both universities were founded by Daisaku Ikeda, leader of the Soka Gakkai International lay Buddhist organization.
Contents |
[edit] Educational Philosophy
Soka University's educational philosophy was established by Tsunesaburo Makiguchi, the first president of Soka Gakkai, who had worked as the principal of an elementary school in Japan. Makiguchi published the Value Creating Educational System based on his belief that "the purpose of education is to lead students' happiness," and emphasized humanistic education pedagogy. This educational philosophy was shared by his successor, Josei Toda, who had served as an elementary school teacher. Toda's successor Daisaku Ikeda describes his goal as carrying out the dreams of Makiguchi and Toda.
[edit] Universities
Soka University of America (SUA) is a private, non-profit, selective co-educational university incorporated in California. It encompasses a graduate school, opened in 1994, and a four-year liberal arts college, opened in 2001, in Aliso Viejo, California. The graduate school offers a Master of Arts degree in Second and Foreign Language Education concentrating on English as an additional language education. The undergraduate school offers interdisciplinary bachelor's degrees in Liberal Arts with emphasis areas in Humanities, Social & Behavioral Sciences, and International Studies. All students study a non-native language. SUA was the first university in the country to require that every student spend a semester abroad during his or her junior year in a country where the language he or she is studying is spoken in order to graduate. The costs are included in tuition. With a mission to foster a steady stream of global citizens committed to living a contributive life, the university graduated its first class in 2005 with an 83% graduation rate over four years and its second class in 2006 with a 94% graduation rate over four years. In 2005, Soka University of America received five-year accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) just one month after the required graduation of its first class. Every SUA graduate who has applied to graduate school in the first two graduating classes has been accepted -- about 38%. SUA liberal arts graduates are currently studying in graduate schools that include Harvard, Yale, Columbia, UC Berkeley and USC.
Soka University in Japan is a separately administered university founded by the same lay Buddhist organization. It is located in Hachioji, Tokyo and offers a wide range of both graduate and undergraduate degrees. It was founded in 1969.
[edit] Funding and Endowment
Soka Gakkai International provided $25 million to purchase the 103-acre site in Aliso Viejo and $225 million to build the first 18 buildings on that campus. SUA also has a $300 million dollar operating endowment and raised $100 million for a scholarship endowment in its first four years - generous Soka Gakkai members contributed most of this fund.
[edit] Perspectives on the University
The university is founded on the Buddhist concepts of peace, human rights, and the sanctity of life and is recognized by people around the world for its great academic curricula and its peaceful environment[citation needed]. Although some students and teachers have charged that the university is not independent from the Soka Gakkai religious sect, Soka University of America continues to be acknowledged around the world. One professor sued the university for religious discrimination after being dismissed but this professor lost her case.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Soka University of America (homepage)
- Soka University of Japan (English portal)
Those who visited this page also viewed these links:
Soka Gakkai Daily e-Newsletter containing SGI President Ikeda's Guidances
Soka Gakkai Member's Experiences - Share Your Voice
