TOKYO INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

Course description and aims

Research in science and technology at the top level of the world requires several key abilities: (1) extensive knowledge beyond one’s own discipline, (2) transferring skills and creativity to utilize research in other fields, (3) interdisciplinary ability and spirit to build one’s own collegial network with diverse fields of specialists.

Students will attend lectures, work in small groups, and give presentations to acquire the aforementioned abilities.

The purpose of this course is to create a forum which facilitates knowledge exchange among doctoral students. Students will learn the trends of advanced and interdisciplinary research and how to collaborate with scholars in diverse disciplines.

This course is offered in English. Students need to communicate in English with other students from a variety of specialties and with different backgrounds.

This course will develop students’ ability to:
(1) Address social issues with their expertise;
(2) Collaborate with members from diverse backgrounds;
(3) Understand research ethics and codes of conducts for researchers;
(4) Create intellectual exchange opportunities;
Then, this course hopes to create and expand human network among doctoral students at Tokyo Tech.

Student learning outcomes

1) Address social issues with their expertise;
2) Collaborate with members from diverse background;
3) Understand research ethics and codes of conducts for researchers;
4) Create intellectual exchange opportunities;
5) Contribute to create and expand human network, centered on doctoral students, in Tokyo Tech.
6) Understand lectures given by specialists in interdisciplinary studies.
7) Present the results of their group work.

Through the experience in this course, students will develop leadership, abilities to conduct interdisciplinary research, and communication skills.

Keywords

Advanced and interdisciplinary research, Group Work, Leadership, Collaboration, Research ethics, Social issues

Competencies that will be developed

Class flow

This course consists of 5 live classes and 2 on-demand classes.
Live classes will be held approximately every other Saturday by using the Zoom application. （Scheduled on December 10, 24 in 2022, January 7, 28, February 4 in 2023).
Class start time is 9:00 am and end time is around 12:30.

Students need to register by noon on December 5. Up to 400 students in total can register for “Cross Boundary Liberal Arts Courses” in a quarter. In case over 400 students apply for the course, registration will be restricted, and the restricted results will be announced by 17:00 on December 7 via the T2SCHOLA system.

Course schedule/Required learning

Out-of-Class Study Time (Preparation and Review)

To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.

Textbook(s)

None required.

Reference books, course materials, etc.

“Code of Conduct for Researchers at the Tokyo Institute of Technology” (Tokyo Institute of Technology Committee on Measures to Prevent Research Misconduct, Established November 21, 2008 / Revised August 23, 2013), https://www.titech.ac.jp/english/0/about/policies/efforts/activities [Retrieved March 8, 2022]

Assessment criteria and methods

Students will be assessed by participation and assignment submissions.

Related courses

• LAH.C616 ： Path-Breaking Liberal Arts Courses 2B
• LAH.C622 ： Path-Breaking Liberal Arts Courses 4B
• LAH.C631 ： Cross-Boundary Liberal Arts Course A

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

Students are expected to commit themselves to the course.
This course is taught in a seminar style. Students are required to do activities outside of each class.

【important notice】
“Cross-Boundary Liberal Arts Courses” are offered on Saturday mornings. They consist of five live classes, each of which includes two 100-minute sessions, and two on-demand classes. After being assigned to smaller groups, students will engage in group work during the second and the third live classes. Students will give presentation during the fourth live class　and provide general review to each other during the fifth live class.

Please attend all five live classes. Attendance to the fourth class (final presentation) is required. However, you may miss (a part of) one class out of the other four live classes due to unforeseeable circumstances that may occur after the course has begun. If you miss two live classes, consult the instructors. If you miss three or more classes, you will not receive credit for the course.

If you have to miss the first, second, third, and fifth live class, contact your instructor in advance (if not, do so as soon as possible after the class), and explain the reason for your absence. Then contact your group members about your absence and contribute to the group work outside the classroom. Study the material covered in the lecture by yourself and submit a report to the instructor based on their instructions. All reports must be written in English　and submitted by the deadline. If you fail to do so, you will not receive credit for the course.

Contact information (e-mail and phone)    Notice : Please replace from "[at]" to "@"(half-width character).

Notice: Please replace from "[at]" to "[at]"(half-width character).
the office of the Institution for Liberal Arts.
600gp4q[at]ila.titech.ac.jp

Office hours

after every class

Other

PhD. students are required to obtain two credits for the Liberal Arts Studies. We strongly recommend to register Cross-Boundary Liberal Arts Course during the first academic year. If the number of applicants exceed the limit, a lottery system may be used regardless of year in doctoral program to determine which students are admitted.

Students who have completed 1 credit of liberal arts courses (including Japanese language and culture courses for international students) should take "Path-Breaking Liberal Arts Courses 2B/４B" (1 credit).