Understanding Bekko in Japanese Academic and Research Contexts

Bekko (別科) is a Japanese term that refers to a "sub-discipline" or "subfield" within a larger field of study. It is often used in academic and research contexts to describe a specific area of focus within a broader field.

For example, if someone is studying physics, they might specialize in a particular subfield like quantum mechanics or particle physics. In this case, quantum mechanics would be their bekko within the larger field of physics.

The term is often used in Japanese academia and research institutions, but it is not commonly used outside of Japan. In English, the concept of a "sub-discipline" or "subfield" is often conveyed using different terms, such as "specialty," "area of focus," or "research area."