TOKYO INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

Course description and aims

This course is a 1-credit course.
Only students who meet the conditions ① and ② can enroll.
① Be enrolled before 2021.
② You must have already earned one credit in a liberal arts advanced subject.
Students enrolled in 2022 or later cannot take this course.

［Collaboration across STEM and Liberal Arts］are study group-type subjects that will start in 2024. Each time, students will engage in discussions with guest lecturers who are active leaders in their various fields. Together with participating doctoral graduate students, we will explore new developments and possibilities in convergence science.
The maximum number of students is 50 per class. If the number is exceeded, a lottery will be held.
Group work will be conducted in English, but Japanese may be used if consensus can be reached within the group. Moderators and instructors will give lectures in Japanese, to be translated by ZOOM's translation function.
Students will take an e-learning session on research ethics in the first class. Submission of the “session-completion certificate” is required.

In this lecture, we will use the concept of ‘Mingei' as a clue to consider various issues that cannot be solved by either the arts or sciences alone. To solve the current issues that humankind is facing, such as environmental problems and local community problems, it is essential not only to advance science and technology but also to have the perspectives of the humanities and social sciences. In exploring this point, it is effective to pay attention to the concept of ‘Mingei'. ‘Mingei' is a concept proposed in the 20th century by philosopher Yanagi Muneyoshi and ceramic artists Hamada Shoji and Kawai Kanjiro (Hamada and Kawai were graduates of our university). They praised handicrafts and folk houses, and they sounded the alarm about a society that places too much emphasis on rationalization and industrialization, and explored how to balance the natural environment and tradition with science, technology, and modern society. In this lecture, we will consider what kind of new perspectives on current issues can be brought when we use the concept of ‘Mingei' as a clue.
The aims of this lecture are as follows: first, students can acquire basic knowledge regarding ‘Mingei'. Second, students can deepen their discussions about contemporary issues and engage in problem-solving. We expect students from a variety of fields to take the lecture.

Student learning outcomes

Through this lecture, students should acquire the following abilities. First, students acquire basic knowledge such as the content of the concept of ‘Mingei’ and the historical background of its establishment. Second, students can reconsider contemporary issues, deepen discussions, and act independently and concretely to solve problems.

Keywords

Folk crafts, folk houses, tradition, care, science and technology

Competencies that will be developed

Class flow

This lecture will be held via ZOOM. Guest lectures and Q&A will be held in the 7th and 8th periods, and group work will be held in the 9th and 10th periods. For the 2nd to 6th classes, guests will come and learn about ‘Mingei' and we will discuss contemporary issues from a multifaceted perspective. The Names of guest speakers will be announced at the first class.

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

Reference books, course materials, etc.

Instruct in class

Assessment criteria and methods

Speaking during class (30%), report (70%)

Related courses

• LAH.T204 ： Special Lecture: History of Universities

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

No prerequisites.