2021 Faculty Courses Liberal arts and basic science courses Humanities and social science courses
Human Studies A
- Academic unit or major
- Humanities and social science courses
- Instructor(s)
- Eisuke Wakamatsu
- Class Format
- Lecture
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 5-6 Mon (W242)
- Class
- -
- Course Code
- LAH.H114
- Number of credits
- 100
- Course offered
- 2021
- Offered quarter
- 4Q
- Syllabus updated
- Jul 10, 2025
- Language
- Japanese
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
In this lecture, we consider what "life" is through poetry. "Life" as used here is not limited to physical life, but refers to a certain "work" that makes us alive.
As a starting point for thinking about this task, we'd like to deeply learn the words spelled out by people involved in leprosy.We will deepen our thinking about the meaning of being "weak" or the wisdom of "the weak".
The poets featured are Mieko Kamiya, the author of "On the Meaning of Life (Ikigai)" and the poets include Kiyoko Nagase, Mitsuo Oe, Kazuko Tow, and Itsuma Shiki.
By touching on their poems, we aim to feel and express the depth of meaning beyond just the superficial meaning of words. We also would like to increase freedom of expression so that we can feel the joy of writing and speaking (conveying). We also create free spoken poetry.
＊Basically this seminar will held by pre-recorded contents and papers. Not by Zoom.
＊Those contents will be uploaded though OCW-i.
＊Question will be accept through website which would be told later.
＊Answer will be had in the next or later lecture.
＊Now we stand historical turning point. Hopefully, this seminar would have some clue and wisdom to survive through these crisis.
Course description and aims
The objective of this course is to acquire the following abilities.
1) Consider the meaning and role of the expression form of poetry.
2) Taste each poetic world and consider its meaning.
3) Gain a starting point that can express one's own experience, environment and feelings by poetry.
Keywords
Literature, poem, human culture
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
In class, the instructor will introduce a piece of poem. Students shall have some chances to write own poem.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Class guidance | Explanation of whole seminar |
| Class 2 | The way of reading and writing poems | Learn why people write poems |
| Class 3 | Poetry as the words of life 1 | Feel and think about the workings of poetic language |
| Class 4 | Poetry as the words of life 2 | Feel and think about the workings of poetic language |
| Class 5 | Poetry as the words of life ３ | Feel and think about the workings of poetic language |
| Class 6 | Poetry as the words of life ４ | Feel and think about the workings of poetic language |
| Class 7 | Summary, Q&A | Think about meaning of writing poems |
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 required.
Reference books, course materials, etc.
Mieko Kamiya "On IKIGAI" (Misuzu Shobo)
Evaluation methods and criteria
Students’ course scores are based on midterm (50%） and final papers (50%)
Related courses
- LAH.H216 ： Human Studies B
Prerequisites
No prerequisites.
Contact information (e-mail and phone) Notice : Please replace from ”[at]” to ”@”(half-width character).
wakamatsu[at]ila.titech.ac.jp
Office hours
Contact by e-mail in advance.
Other
not especially