Soka University
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Soka University, founded in Japan by Daisaku Ikeda, leader of the Soka Gakkai International religious corporation, is a group colleges with campuses in Japan and the United States.
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Philosophy of Soka Education
Soka University's educational philosophy was established by Tsunesaburo Makiguchi, the first president of Soka Gakkai, who had worked as the principal of 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.
Schools
Soka University of America (SUA) ecompasses a graduate school, opened in 1994, in Calabasas, California and a four-year liberal arts university, opened in 2001, in Aliso Viejo, CA. 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 bachelor's degrees in Humanities, Social & Behavioral Sciences, and International Studies. With a mission to foster a steady stream of global citizens committed to living a contributive life, the university will graduate its first class in 2005. Soka University in Japan is located in Hachioji, Tokyo and offers a wide range of both graduate and undergraduate degrees. It was founded in 1969.
Controversy
SUA has been beset by controversy since its founding. The university is officially nonsectarian but most of its funding — in excess of $700 million during its first few years of operation — comes from Soka Gakkai member contributions. Some students and teachers have charged that the university is not independent from the Soka Gakkai religious sect, and professors have sued the university for religious discrimination. [1] (http://www.abc.net.au/rn/talks/8.30/relrpt/stories/s860051.htm)
See also
External Links
- Soka University of America (http://www.soka.edu) (homepage)
- Soka University of Japan (http://www.soka.ac.jp/en/) (English portal)ja:創価大学