History
Shirayuri University traces its origin to the Convent of Saint Paul Chartre, which was founded in a small village in France at the end of the 17th century. Ever since its founding the sisterhood, with its headquarters in Rome, has taken service and education as its mission and has devoted itself to education and welfare activities all over the world. Activities in Japan began with the arrival of three French nuns in Hakodate, in 1878, with an ardent mission to establish a convent. Three years later, a school was founded in Kanda, Tokyo, beginning the groundwork for Shirayuri Gakuen. In 1965, the present Shirayuri College, a four-year institution, was established.School mission
The president of the university mentions that the school's goal is "to pursue truth, polish their tudent'sintellect, learn to empathize with other, know the joys of serving others and deepen their awareness of the true beauty of all the natural things and happenings which surround them."School system
The university can be a continuation of Shirayuri Pre-school, Shirayuri Elementary School, and Shirayuri Middle/High School. Students can first enter Shirayuri Pre-school and continue their education till graduating the university (20% of the students stay till college). Many begin their Shirayuri education in the university.Organisation
Shirayuri has two undergraduate faculties. The Faculty of Liberal Arts contains the following departments: *Japanese Language and Literature *French Language and Literature *English Language and Literature The Faculty of Human Studies contains the following departments: *Children's Culture *Developmental Psychology *Child Care and Primary Education There is also a graduate school offering Masters and Doctoral programs in conjunction with the departments.Culture
The emblem depicts a fleur-de-lys holding a sword. Since it is a French-related mission school, the Sister who takes care of the college is referred to by the students as 'Masul' or "Ma Soeur" (i.e., " My Sister" in French). It is a very small school with homeroom classes that are led by the Sisters. Although there is a strong impression that it is a school for upper-class girls, it could be seen as a place where classes and good manners are taught strictly rather than as a place where children of wealthy families flock. Since the campus transferred in 1965, it owns modern school buildings and a chapel. Their sister school is Sendai Shirayuri Women's College.References
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