Essence of Humanities and Social Sciences10:Science Visualization

Academic unit or major

Humanities and social science courses

Instructor(s)

Yukiko Masuda

Class Format

Lecture (Blended)

Media-enhanced courses

-

Day of week/Period
(Classrooms)

7-8 Wed (J2-203(J221))

Class

-

Course Code

LAH.S410

Number of credits

100

Course offered

2023

Offered quarter

4Q

Syllabus updated

Jul 8, 2025

Language

Japanese

Syllabus

Course overview and goals

This lecture deals with information design techniques for communicating the results of one's research activities to others in an easy-to-understand and accurate manner.
In particular, the lecture will focus on the visualization of information, and will lecture on key knowledge and techniques according to the theme of each lecture, aiming not only to acquire skills and knowledge but also to improve one's own visual experience.
With the increase in non-textual communication such as images and video, visualization of information is becoming an essential means of conveying information. In particular, the visualization of data, known as information graphics, has been attracting attention in recent years as a tool for communicating information. Originally, this field was developed to communicate statistical data in an easy-to-understand manner. The content covered in the lecture is expected to be utilized in creating tables and graphs of numerical data obtained through experiments and other means.
Through the course, students will learn how information should be communicated to different audiences and how it should be expressed, and will develop their thinking and output abilities for information design.

The course will also provide examples of information design and visualization, using masterpieces, to convey the importance of seeing, analyzing, and expressing information with one's own eyes, as there are no correct answers in practice.
　This course aims to develop the ability to apply the knowledge and skills acquired in the lectures to situations in which they interact with others, such as oral and poster presentations at academic conferences.

The knowledge and techniques covered in the lectures are also expected to be used in everyday communication situations, and students are expected to improve their communication skills.
In addition, a deep understanding of one's own research is required in order to express these skills accurately. Students are expected to have an opportunity to face their own research again through the class.

Since this class is intended for information visualization in academia, some points can be utilized in other applications (e.g., business), but others cannot. Since this is not a class for business purposes, please understand that if you expect such content, the class content may differ from what you expect.

Course description and aims

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
1) Understand the importance of designing information.
2) Understand that a design changes by various conditions and practice it.
3) Integrate your research subject into a suitable time and area and explain it.
4) Express the design, which is thought about precisely.
5) Make the impression that felt words analytically and conveyed.
6) Through discussion with others, can catch information from different angles.

Keywords

Information design, Visualization, Information graphics, Communication, Conference presentation, Art and Visual Literacy

Competencies

• Specialist skills
• Intercultural skills
• Communication skills
• Critical thinking skills
• Practical and/or problem-solving skills
• Our daily lives are saturated with visual communication. It is crucial to observe how information around us is presented in an 'easy-to-understand' manner through visuals.

Class flow

In each class, we will focus on crucial elements in information design treating them as thematic subjects. Following lectures on the fundamental knowledge of each theme, students will engage in activities utilizing these elements. Additionally, peer reviews among enrolled students will foster critical thinking toward creations through mutual critique, cultivating a critical mindset toward their work. Ultimately, applying the acquired knowledge throughout the course, students will tackle practical exercises and presentations in information design and visualization, along with case studies.

This class is basically conducted in person, but depending on the content of the class, it may be conducted in a live format using Zoom. In addition, the discussion will be conducted using the breakout system attached to the system, so those who are not good at discussion are not recommended to take this class.
Please note that the class schedule outlined in this syllabus is tentative and subject to adjustments based on the progress of learning.

Questions will be accepted via chat and other means as needed in class. In addition, students will be required to submit a comment sheet online for each class, and if necessary, the answers will be shared on T2SCHOLA to check the student's progress.

Note (wrote at 18 August):
The person in charge of this course will be changed from last year in 2023.
The new person in charge of this course will be announced at Mid September.
Information other than the name of the instructor has already been corrected to reflect the new instructor's course content.

Note (wrote at 17 October):
The name of the person in charge has already been corrected.

Course schedule/Objectives

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)

I would appoint it as needed.

Reference books, course materials, etc.

Reference book-
Edward R. Tufte. (2006). Beautiful Evidence. Graphics Pr. ISBN: 0961392177
Lecture materials-
Create a handout that summarizes the basic knowledge of every class information design and distribute it by a class.

Evaluation methods and criteria

1) Level of participationworksheets in every class（40%） and
2) Deliverables that are made using knowledge acquired through classes(60%).

About 1), the worksheets assigned in each class are the main subject of evaluation.
If your worksheet is not submitted on the day of class, it will be treated as a deduction of points for any reason.

Related courses

• none

Prerequisites

Nothing special, but during the 3Quarter, keep in mind to try to use your observing ability not only in our class but also all the time.

Other

Note (wrote at 18 August):
The person in charge of this course will be changed from last year in 2023.
The new person in charge of this course will be announced at Mid September.
Information other than the name of the instructor has already been corrected to reflect the new instructor's course content.

Note (wrote at 17 October):
The name of the person in charge has already been corrected.