2021 Faculty Courses School of Environment and Society Department of Social and Human Sciences Graduate major in Social and Human Sciences
Special Lecture on Advanced Topics in Social and Human Sciences SB 3
- Academic unit or major
- Graduate major in Social and Human Sciences
- Instructor(s)
- Tamio Nakano
- Class Format
- Lecture
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 5-6 Tue
- Class
- 3
- Course Code
- SHS.L418
- Number of credits
- 100
- Course offered
- 2021
- Offered quarter
- 2Q
- Syllabus updated
- Jul 10, 2025
- Language
- Japanese
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
Title: Ecology and Spirituality for Global Citizens
This course develops the students’ consciousness as Global Citizens living on this planet. We learn the basic principles of “sustainability,” SDGs, and deep ecology. We also learn essence of Spirituality such as Buddhism, Tao, Native American’s wisdom, and Saint Francis of Christianity etc. Ecology and Spirituality is common in the standpoint of “we are a part of the greater being.”
This course aim to integrate Science and Spirituality, and cultivate Global Citizenship for sustainable future.
Course description and aims
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
1) Understand the basic principles of “sustainability” and SDGs.
2) Learn Deep Ecology which explores deeper questions beyond human centered approach.
3) Understand the interconnectedness of all being by leaning Buddhism mindfulness, Heart Sutra, Tao, Native
American’s wisdom and St. Francis.
4) Deepen each theme for the sustainable future through Global Citizen consciousness.
Keywords
Sustainable development, sustainability, SDGs, Global citizen, Deep ecology, Spirituality, mindfulness
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
This course is online. It combines the lecture and the group work.
Students are required to read the material beforehand, and the class focuses on the group dialogue and experiential work.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Outline of the course. Outline of SDGs. Basic principles of sustainability | reflection, mini report, reading material |
| Class 2 | Deep Ecology: The work that reconnect of Joanna Macy | reflection, mini report, reading material |
| Class 3 | Mindfulness: Inter-being of Thich Nhat Hanh | reflection, mini report, reading material |
| Class 4 | Heart Sutra | reflection, mini report, reading material |
| Class 5 | Earth based wisdom of Native American | reflection, mini report, reading material |
| Class 6 | Saint Francis, Asisi. Prayer for all. | writing final report |
| Class 7 | Reflection. What we can do for sustainable future. | reflection. application for daily life. |
Study advice (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.
Nakano, Tamio. Joyful Practice. Tokyo: Shunju-sha. ISDN978-4-393-33338-9 Japanese
Evaluation methods and criteria
Active Participation(including group work and home work):70%, Final report:30%
Related courses
- SHS.L415 ： Trans-disciplinary Exercise in Social and Human Sciences S
Prerequisites
Interest on Spirituality.
Other
This class might become relax time.