日本大学将培养“漫画博士”

日本京都精华大学本周二宣布，该校将于明年4月起正式开设漫画博士课程，从而成为日本首个培养“漫画博士”的大学。据介绍，漫画博士课程的开设是为了应对漫画文化国际化、日益增加的公众认可度以及数字媒体的发展趋势。该课程学制为三年，将由著名动漫作家、漫画翻译家以及文化人类学家等专业人士任教，其中包括《奔向地球》的作者竹宫惠子，目标是通过漫画、动画理论等多角度的学术研究培养漫画作家、研究人员及大学教师。京都精华大学从事漫画和动画研究已有40年的历史，该校在2000年率先开设漫画研究专业，并于去年设立漫画硕士学位。据悉，漫画博士课程将于明年1月起接受学生申请，2月举行考试，并将于4月正式开课，预计招收4到12名学生。

Kyoto Seika University announced on Tuesday that it will offer Japan's first doctorate program in manga studies to new students, beginning in April of next year. The university in Kyoto has a 40-year history of academic study in manga and animation. The university was first to install a specialized area of manga studies in 2000, and it then created a Faculty of Manga in 2006. It was also the first to establish a master's degree program in manga last year, when it accepted 20 students.

The university notes that the creation of the doctorate program is a response to internationalization of manga culture, increased public support, and developments in digital media and global contents culture. The faculty's teaching staff includes To Terra creator Keiko Takemiya and manga translator and cultural anthopologist Matt Thorn.

Candidates in the doctoral program will study manga theories for at least 3 years to receive this Doctorate of Arts degree. After completing coursework, the Kyoto Seika University expects graduates to become researchers, professors, and manga artists. The teaching staff includes internationally known manga researchers and active authors and editors. With this staff, students will get a close view of authors' perspectives on manga research and develop professional knowledge about production.

Kyoto Seika University will accept applications next January, hold admission tests in February, and accept 4 to 12 students into the program in April 2017.