2021 Faculty Courses Liberal arts and basic science courses Humanities and social science courses
Special Lecture: Art and Design
- Academic unit or major
- Humanities and social science courses
- Instructor(s)
- Miyuki Tanaka
- Class Format
- Lecture
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 1-2 Thu (H112)
- Class
- -
- Course Code
- LAH.H217
- Number of credits
- 100
- Course offered
- 2021
- Offered quarter
- 4Q
- Syllabus updated
- Jul 10, 2025
- Language
- English
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
Art and Design are often confused although those two disciplines have quite different roles and functions. Especially, along with the diversification of media, business, and conditions of working, the boundary between art and design are becoming more and more ambiguous.
However, it is not the objective of this class to distinguish between art and design. It is more significant to learn a variety of Art and Design projects that are created with different intentions and think about what they communicate. By being exposed to those various cases, I hope students will learn how to express themselves, and get a better idea of a way of living.
Course description and aims
At the end of this course, students will be able to:
1) Explain the concept of Art and Design with their own words.
2) Learn different uses of Art and Design depending on purposes.
3) Obtain critical interpretation of expressions.
4) Acquire the competence to express and convey views and debate effectively.
Student learning outcomes
実務経験と講義内容との関連 (又は実践的教育内容)
Miyuki Tanaka is a Tokyo-based curator/producer. Having built her career planning exhibitions at 21_21 DESIGN SIGHT, Yamaguchi Center for Arts and Media [YCAM], and the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation, Tanaka shifted her career to focus on projects that went beyond exhibitions and performances. She has been interested in art that defies social norms. In particular, Tanaka’s work began to develop around the theme of how disabilities could provide a new perspective of the world we live in. Some of her recent work include the “Prosthetic Fashion Show: Rhythm of Athletics” (2014, National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation); “dialogue without vision” (2016, Japan Foundation); Exhibition “The Great Ordinary” (2017, Borderless Art Museum NO-MA); “dance work in progress seen with sound” (2017-2019, KAAT Kanagawa Arts Theater), Film “NIGHT CRUISING” (released in 2019), “Audio Game Center” (2017-). She has given lectures at conferences such as Learning From Disabilities (UCLA, 2015), ASIA PACIFIC NETWORK OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY CENTRES 2015, DO-IT Japan at The University of Tokyo (2017-2018) etc.
Keywords
Art, Design, Communication
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
After learning various projects based on the topic of each class, the students are encouraged to discuss the issues related.
It is recommended to observe art/design expressions in everyday life and think what they attempt to communicate and why.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Introduction | Grasp the idea of art and design that changes according to the times. |
| Class 2 | Values of Art and Design | Learn about various forns of values that art and design have. |
| Class 3 | Observation and Communication | Learn about the art/design projects developed based on observation of everyday life. Start to think about your own approach. |
| Class 4 | Power of media | Learn about the potential of media in the art/design history and practice. |
| Class 5 | Possibility of Being Useless | Learn about the projects in art and design utilizing technologies and think about how to think apart from usefulness. |
| Class 6 | Art/Design to live better | Learn about how art and design can contribute to society and see them from a broader perspective. |
| Class 7 | Presentation | Develop a project based on what you have learned in the class and give a presentation. |
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.
Textbooks are not used, but reference books are specified, materials are distributed each time. I plan to utilize PowerPoint, video, audio etc. in lessons. I also plan to have guests.
Evaluation methods and criteria
Attendance（30%）, Participation （30%）, Assignments（40%）
Related courses
- LAH.H102 ： Art A
- LAH.H202 ： Arts B, Esthetics B
- LAH.H302 ： Arts C, Esthetics C
Prerequisites
none
Contact information (e-mail and phone) Notice : Please replace from ”[at]” to ”@”(half-width character).
miyuki.tanaka[at]gmail.com
Office hours
Contact by email in advance to schedule an appointment.