2022 Faculty Courses Liberal arts and basic science courses Humanities and social science courses
Tokyo Tech Visionary Project 41
- Academic unit or major
- Humanities and social science courses
- Instructor(s)
- Sunkyung Choi / Alvin Christopher Galang Varquez / Mehrdad Sadeghzadeh Nazari / Naoya Abe / Sanae Akaba
- Class Format
- Lecture/Exercise (Blended)
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 5-6 Mon (クラス担当教員からの指示に従うこと。別紙にも記載) / 3-4 Thu (クラス担当教員からの指示に従うこと。別紙にも記載)
- Class
- 41
- Course Code
- LAH.C101
- Number of credits
- 110
- Course offered
- 2022
- Offered quarter
- 1Q
- Syllabus updated
- Jul 10, 2025
- Language
- English
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
Tokyo Tech Visionary Project is a course required of all students that begins soon after admission. It encourages self-discovery and aims to motivate students to set individual goals so that they can envision their path through the four years of liberal arts studies at the undergraduate level. The course alternates between lectures and group work involving approximately 30 students. It allows students to identify, scrutinize, and convey problems, enhancing the interactive set of skills needed for efficient communication and presentation. N.B. Class 41 is for GSEP students only.
Course description and aims
By the end of this course, students will:
1) be able to identify problems from a social perspective
2) have found pleasure in exchanging views and ideas with others
3) have acquired the fundamental skills needed for effective communication and presentation
4) have learned how to read books by writing a book review
Keywords
Risshi, liberal arts, group work, communication skills, presentation, book review
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
The course alternates between lectures and group work involving approximately 30 students. After each talk, students are required to write a reflection paper to have productive discussions in small groups. At the end of the course, each student gives a presentation based on the findings of the small group.
Depending on the arrival of students to Japan, the whole lecture may be held online.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Lecture (1) Introduction／What is Liberal Arts? Speaker: Assoc. Prof. Sanae Akaba | Learn about the course outline and understand the objectives. For homework, prepare a reflection paper related to the lecture. |
| Class 2 | Exercise (1) - Group work | Open the door of your heart before coming to class. The reflection paper must be completed and brought to class. |
| Class 3 | Lecture (2): Animal Welfare in Japan （Guest lecturer: Ms. Susan Roberts, Japan Cat Network) Venue ：Creation and Collaboration Commons （Ishikawadai #6-404） | For homework, prepare a reflection paper related to the lecture. |
| Class 4 | Exercise (2) - Group work | The reflection paper must be completed and brought to class. |
| Class 5 | Lecture (3) ： Journalism (Guest lecturer: Ms. Francesca Regalado) Venue ：Creation and Collaboration Commons （Ishikawadai #6-404） | For homework, prepare a reflection paper related to the lecture. |
| Class 6 | Exercise (3) - Group work Venue ：Creation and Collaboration Commons （Ishikawadai #6-404） | The reflection paper must be completed and brought to class. |
| Class 7 | Lecture (4) Photography (Guest lecturer: Mr. Alfie Goodrich) | For homework, prepare a reflection paper related to the lecture. |
| Class 8 | Exercise (4) - Group work Venue ：Creation and Collaboration Commons （Ishikawadai #6-404） | The reflection paper must be completed and brought to class. |
| Class 9 | Book review session Venue ：Creation and Collaboration Commons （Ishikawadai #6-404）" | Prepare for the presentation of your book review. |
| Class 10 | Lecture (5) Social Entrepreneurship (Guest lecturer: Ms. Louise Mabulo, The Cacao Project) Venue ：Creation and Collaboration Commons （Ishikawadai #6-404） | For homework, prepare a reflection paper related to the lecture. |
| Class 11 | Exercise (5) - Group work Venue ：Creation and Collaboration Commons （Ishikawadai #6-404） | The reflection paper must be completed and brought to class. |
| Class 12 | Lecture (6) Butoh Dance (Guest lecturer: Ms. Natsu Nakajima) | For homework, prepare a reflection paper related to the lecture. |
| Class 13 | Exercise (6) - Group work Venue ：Creation and Collaboration Commons （Ishikawadai #6-404） | The reflection paper must be completed and brought to class. |
| Class 14 | Final presentation by students - Presentation Venue ：Creation and Collaboration Commons （Ishikawadai #6-404） | Prepare an individual presentation handout before coming to class. |
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.
For AY 2022-2023, this course will be provided via Zoom for international students abroad.
Communication will be conducted through T2Schola or Slack.
Textbook(s)
Tokyo Tech Visionary Project Guidebook
Reference books, course materials, etc.
Course materials are provided during class.
Evaluation methods and criteria
Assessment is based on reflection papers, contribution to group work, presentation, and book review.
Related courses
- LAH.C301 ： Liberal Arts Final Report
Prerequisites
None required
Contact information (e-mail and phone) Notice : Please replace from ”[at]” to ”@”(half-width character).
Associate Professor Naoya Abe
nabe[at]ide.titech.ac.jp
Alvin C.G. Varquez
varquez..a.aa[at]m.titech.ac.jp
Office hours
Contact by e-mail in advance to schedule an appointment.
Other
Each lecture is held on Mondays and Thursdays at the Creative Commons at I6-404 or Zoom (depending on the COVID19 situation). This class is only for the freshmen, who belong to GSEP.