Research Institutes At Showa Women's University, there are four research institutes: The Institute of Modern Culture, The Institute of Women's Culture, The Institute of International Culture, and The Institute of Psychological Studies. These research institutes conduct a variety of advanced level academic research. The faculty members of these institutes teach in graduate courses as well as in undergraduate courses. Thus, even undergraduate Showa students have the opportunity to be exposed to the research achievements of these professors. Research results from these institutes are widely recognized and help maintain the reputation of Showa Women's University.       Institute of Modern Culture The Institute of Modern Culture was reestablished in October, 2003. The new Institute inherited the accomplishments of the former Institute, which won the Kikuchi Kan Prize for publishing the series Kindai Bungaku Kenkyu Sosho (Series in the Study of Modern Literature). It aims to be an institute for modern culture that is academic and comprehensive in terms of research into food, clothing and shelter as well as literature. There are two research divisions in this institute: Practical Science and Culture, and Modern Literature. This institute is fully open to our students, and supports senior thesis research involving modern culture. In addition, this institute publishes Gakuen, a monthly journal containing articles contributed by all departments. Furthermore, Kindai Bunka Kenkyu Sosho (Series in the Study of Modern Culture) is planned for publication in the near future. Institute of Women's Culture This institute was established as a general research institute for women's culture as part of the graduate school. It was founded in commemoration of Showa Women's University's 65th anniversary in May, 1986. The main functions of the institute are: conducting research projects with other research groups, publishing The Bulletin of the Institute of Women's Culture, which includes research articles by the faculty members of the university, publishing collections of literature and documents on women's culture and women's studies, and coordinating open lectures and workshops. Moreover, it accepts and supports research students and their research projects on women's studies, in the spirit of the line from the founder's message, “Under the full sail of women's culture.” The work of this special research institute has contributed to the high recognition that Showa Women's University enjoys. Institute of International Culture The Institute of International Culture was established in May, 1992 as an organization promoting interdisciplinary and international cooperation by assembling researchers from various fields such as architecture, archeology, history, conservational sciences, food sciences and others. By conducting research into the human sciences and cultures of Asia, the Middle East, North America and other parts of the world, the institute also contributes to the conservation and restoration of cultural assets worldwide through international cooperative efforts. The restoration project at the ancient town of Hoi An in Vietnam, which resulted in Hoi An being registered as a World Heritage Site, has earned it recognition in the form of a medal from the Vietnamese government, the Japan Architectural Institute Award, and the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage 2000 Award. The institute has also undertaken partnership projects with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in the field of culture. Institute of Psychological Studies The Institute of Psychological Studies, affiliated with the Graduate School of Human Life Sciences, was established in April, 1995. It aims to encourage scientific research in clinical psychology, social psychology, educational psychology, cognitive psychology, and developmental psychology. The institute also provides an extensive range of psychological and clinical services. In particular, the institute offers extension courses for the improvement of one's quality of life, and provides psychological and clinical support for clients with psychological problems.   Copyright 2004 showa women's university all right reserved.