TOKYO INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

Course description and aims

What kind of "liberal arts" should Ph.D.students of TIT (Tokyo Institute of Technology) learn? Scientific research at the top level of the world requires several key competences: (1) extensive knowledge beyond his/her own discipline, (2) transferring skills and creativity to utilize other fields’ research, (3) interdisciplinary ability and spirit to build his/her own network with diverse fields of specialists.
In order to acquire "liberal arts", students will have lectures by specialists of diverse fields, work in a small-group, and give a presentation. The aim of this course is to create the forum which facilitates knowledge exchange among Ph.D.students. Students will learn the trends of advanced and interdisciplinary research and how to collaborate with diverse fields of scholars.
All Path Breaking Liberal Arts Courses are managed in the same way indipendent of the Language indication(Japanese / English).
Foreign students can be register this class (ability to speaking Japanese is not required).
Communication with students in different academic fields and with foreign students in English.

Student learning outcomes

At the end of this course, students will be able to:
1) have their own idea and vision of "liberal arts".
2) understand lectures of specialists who conduct advanced and interdisciplinary studies.
3) take group work and communicate with students diffrent fields and foreign students also in English.
4) present the results of their group-work in the postal presentation style.
5) acquire leadership, ability to conduct interdisciplinary research, and communication skills.

Keywords

Liberal arts, Interdisciplinary collaboration

Competencies that will be developed

Class flow

With Path-Breaking Liberal Arts Couses 4, 280 students can be registered. In case applying over 280 students, registration will be restricted(See, "Prerequisitis" and "Others" of this sylabus).
Two successive sessions will take place on every other Saturday basically.

Course schedule/Required learning

Textbook(s)

None required.

Reference books, course materials, etc.

None required.

Assessment criteria and methods

Students will be assessed by participation and reports.

Related courses

• LAH.C601 ： Independent Studies Courses1
• LAH.C602 ： Independent Studies Courses2
• LAH.C603 ： Independent Studies Courses3
• LAH.C604 ： Independent Studies Courses4
• LAH.C612 ： Path-Breaking Liberal Arts Courses2
• LAH.C613 ： Path-Breaking Liberal Arts Courses3
• LAH.C614 ： Path-Breaking Liberal Arts Courses4
• LAH.C615 ： Path-Breaking Liberal Arts Courses5
• LAH.C616 ： Path-Breaking Liberal Arts Courses6

Prerequisites (i.e., required knowledge, skills, courses, etc.)

In case over 280 students apply, send results of restricting registration by OCWi system.
Please check infomation by WEB site of Institution for Liberal Arts. [http://bunkei.ila.titech.ac.jp/600PG_guide.html]
Students need to participate at First Saturday class and are expected to commit themselves to the course.

Other

PhD. course students have to take any two class of Independent Studies Courses (from 1 to 8) or Path-Breaking Liberal Arts Courses (from 1 to 6) for two credits. Scheduled on 2018 June 16, 30, July 7, 21.
NOTICE: We strongly recommend to register an Independent Studies Courses and a Path Breaking Liberal Arts Courses at first academic year.
REASON: Independent Studies Courses 5,6,7,8 and Path-Breaking Liberal Arts Courses 4,5,6 will be listed enabling for the students who had registered an Independent Studies Courses or Path-Breaking Liberal Arts Courses at the same Q, to register another Courses in the Next Year. (It may be a rare case.) Independent Studies Courses at the same Q (1&5, 2&6, 3&7, 4&8) are the same program, not independently open.(It is applicable to Path-Breaking Liberal Arts Courses.)
The restricting registration will be taken based on the number of students by total number without distinction of academic year.