大学カリキュラムに関する研究 : 回顧と展望 <論考> <創立40周年記念特集 : 高等教育研究の回顧と展望>

This article reviews the existing university curriculum research in Japan between 2003 to June 2013. Based on findings from the index in the National Diet Library Search and major journals in which original research papers, research reports, key-note presentations, written comments in related conference and symposia over the period, this article begins with a brief introduction to the number of relevant research outputs; numbers of research outputs by category of university curriculum research, and changes in numbers of these research outputs on 2003-2013. By analyzing these data, the article suggests that among various forms of research publications which were made in the field of university curriculum, the vast majority of the publications were made in the form of research papers or research reports in peer-reviewed journals and journals in individual universities or faculties. Secondly, the article notes that among ten different categories in relation to university curriculum research, the largest proportion was conducted on the development of curriculum by discipline and specialization, especially at a program or subject level, followed by research in general education; university-wide education; first-year education; or remedial education. Furthermore, the articles provide data on the changes in the number of research outputs from 2003 to June 2013 and indicates that the number of research in some specific areas of university curriculum had increased while the number of research in other areas had been dropped over time. The article concludes by arguing that more research should be conducted on the theory of university curriculum, particularly more efforts should be made to develop appropriate curriculum ideal or theory, model(s) which can be applied to the Japanese context. Additionally, research on university curriculum is expected to devote more attention to the relationship between designing university curriculum and changing social / economic background. More importantly, it is necessary for the issue concerning the integration of higher school curriculum and undergraduate curriculum and the integration of undergraduate curriculum and graduate curriculum should also be taken into consideration.