The Formulation Process and Outline of “Reference Standards” for Sociology Teaching and Learning in Universities: Common Standards for the Progress of Sociology and Sociological Education

A public document titled “Reference Standards for Sociology Teaching and Learning in University,” examined in this study, was published by the Science Council of Japan in September, 2014. The document was compiled in collaboration with the Sociological Education Committee from the Japan Sociological Society and the Committee of Sociology from the Science Council of Japan.“Quality assurance” of these “Reference Standards” is not simply aimed at improvement and standardization of the level of traditional education of sociology, but it is a guideline of the framework that explains what and how to teach in sociology so that sociology students can be assured of the process of acquiring knowledge and ability to survive in modern society. In short, it is to provide common standards for sociological education associated with a change of viewpoints.These “Reference Standards” were formulated based on requests from two institutional sources: the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, and the Japan Sociological Society. Their request was for an improvement of university education that can manage various changes in social situations in Japan and overseas. These “Reference Standards” were commissioned by the Science of Council of Japan and then clarified. As a result, they contain contradictory implications of control risks from the top and active reformations from the bottom.The best utilization of such “Reference Standards” is left to sociology educators, who face challenges and work with students daily in the various fields of education. Therefore, based on these “Reference Standards,” active debates should be encouraged in order to rediscover the attraction of sociology and to determine the best possibilities for sociological education.For this purpose, this study describes the formulation process, outline, evaluation, and further development regarding the “Reference Standards.”