2023 Faculty Courses Liberal arts and basic science courses Breadth courses

Advanecd Co-learning Course for Global Scientists and Engineers 2

Academic unit or major: Breadth courses
Instructor(s): Rie Murakami / Eri Ota / Kumara Ananda
Class Format: Lecture/Exercise (Livestream)
Media-enhanced courses: -
Day of week/Period (Classrooms): Intensive
Class: -
Course Code: LAW.X432
Number of credits: 110
Course offered: 2023
Offered quarter: 4Q
Syllabus updated: Jul 8, 2025
Language: English

Syllabus

Course overview and goals

With continuing globalization, students are expected to develop a global perspective with respect to creating their career. In order to understand current situation of globalization, this course will conduct problem-based learning (PBL).

The course aims at following;
1) Student will consider about “multicultural society” from following 4 perspectives
①differences and similarities between one’s own society and others;
②Relationship between society and one’s area of specialization;
③Impact of one’s action to global problems;
④causes of and solutions to problems in other countries.

2) Based on 1)above, consider one’s career path related to one’s field of interest, and start necessary preparation. Based on PBL, it is expected that students will equip with problem finding and solving skill and multicultural teamwork skill.

Course description and aims

This course is composed of orientation by the instructor, group work, final presentation, and final report. International students participate in the group work as a TA (teaching assistant) of each group, and provide basic information and information related with issues of their home countries. Based on information provided, students conduct group work through PBL (Problem Based Learning), to understand the issues in other countries, and propose solutions. Students gain experiences such as sharing of opinions, adjustment of ideas, task sharing to develop skills necessary for teamwork.

Keywords

Globalization, multicultural society, social issues, problem solving, multicultural teamwork, PBL

Competencies

Specialist skills
Intercultural skills
Communication skills
Critical thinking skills
Practical and/or problem-solving skills

Class flow

Class 1 will be organized on line, as the instructor will deliver the class from his residence in Sri Lanka.
As following schedule for intensive course registration, course registration should be completed following registration schedule.
ZOOM link will be provided to students who register this course the day before the first class (in February 21th (Tue.)).
In group work, students will decide on a topic for group work with referring characteristics of the native countries (issues and matters of pride) of international students at Tokyo Tech. Based on information from international students, the students will collect topic materials firstly, then clarify the background and attributes, and give proposals for solving the problems of and developing the surveyed countries.

Course schedule/Objectives

	Course schedule	Objectives
Class 1	23th February (Fri.), 10：45～17：00　　*National holiday, but class will be held First day: Introduction Lecture about globalization and specific point of Asian developing countries Grouping, Subject fixing Research methods, introduction of group work and presentations Assignment Group presentations 1 Analysis of subjects	While reviewing the history and issues of Japan's globalization in the modern era, we also confirm changes in the Asian society with changing times. For Japanese companies, not only developed countries, but also developing countries have become business partners. Necessary knowledge , know how, and skill of these Asian countries will be introduced in this course. Then, conducting preliminary surveys both in Japan and these Asian countries by group work, ① to acquire cross-cultural understanding, ② teamwork, ③ problem discovery and solving skills. By doing this, students shall realize the globalization and consider the role of Japan among Asian countries.
Class 2	26th February (Mon.) 10：45～17：00 Second day: Summarizing current situations and issues Group works Group presentations 2 Analysis of subjects
Class 3	28th February (Wed.), 10：45～17：00 Third day: Analysis and proposal Group works Group presentations 3 Proposal about contribution of Japan to Asian developing countries

Study advice (preparation and review)

Textbook(s)

None

Reference books, course materials, etc.

Handouts by each lecture (A/N)

Evaluation methods and criteria

1) Group work performance (individual assessment) 10%
2) Group Discussion (individual assessment) 10%
3) Assigned chapter of the group report (individual assessment) 30%
4) Personal essay (individual assessment) 30%
5) Overall the group report (group evaluation) 10%
6) Group presentation (group evaluation) 10%

Related courses

LAW.X360 ： Co-learning for Global Scientists and Engineers 2

Prerequisites