2024 Faculty Courses School of Environment and Society Undergraduate major in Transdisciplinary Science and Engineering
Transdisciplinary Design Project
- Academic unit or major
- Undergraduate major in Transdisciplinary Science and Engineering
- Instructor(s)
- Kayoko Nohara / Naoya Abe / Xinru Zhu / Giorgio Salani / Istvan Zoltan Zardai
- Class Format
- Lecture/Experiment (Face-to-face)
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 5-8 Tue
- Class
- -
- Course Code
- TSE.C203
- Number of credits
- 0.500.5
- Course offered
- 2024
- Offered quarter
- 4Q
- Syllabus updated
- Mar 17, 2025
- Language
- English
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
The classes of the Department of Transdisciplinary Science and Engineering are designed to help students develop a better understanding of our world, find truth, and open up new paths. This class explores how to integrate knowledge and techniques from different disciplines for approaching social issues. It introduces theoretical models and methods for constructing multiple narratives without being constrained by a single perspective. This course helps to increase the capacity to paraphrase, integrate, and articulate what is necessary for transdisciplinary science and engineering by exposing students to hybrid process through projects.
Course description and aims
The students will acquire the skills to design research activities that will bring about social change, while looking at things from a variety of perspectives. You will also develop the flexibility to make adjustments to your projects as needed, while keeping in mind the conditions and constraints imposed by global environmental issues and the diversity of values in different regions and cultures. Through discussions, exercises and games, the students will learn how to organically combine their knowledge in specific projects and problem-solving processes, and will be able to apply the skills of becoming hybrid process to their own research and thinking.
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)
The first half of the course will be taught in an omnibus format by several lecturers, one of whom, Dr. Salani, has rich practical experience as an engineering consultant. He will provide guidance both from an academic and business standpoint on the aspects of the field where integrated design, the multifaceted knowledge and skills are required.
Keywords
hybrid process, social issue, narrative, transdisciplinarity
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
The course consists of lectures and exercises that teach theories and research skills for thinking with different perspectives, as well as group work projects.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Introduction to transdisciplinary desing Case Study 1: Safety, culture and communication under Covid 19 crisis by Prof Kayoko Nohara | Learning how to translate the target |
| Class 2 | Case Study 2: AI, humans and ethics- who decides? by Dr István Zárdai | Rational systematisation |
| Class 3 | Case Study 3: Delivering value to clients: designing public spaces by Dr Giorgio Salani | Learning the functions of quantitative/qualitative approach |
| Class 4 | Case Study 4: Typography and Accessibility by Dr Xinru Zhu | Responding to individual needs with typography |
| Class 5 | Case Study 5: AI, humans and norm by Dr István Zárdai | reflective equilibrium etc. |
| Class 6 | Revision and Project: Creating your hybrid process | Preparing for the presentation |
| Class 7 | Project presentations | - |
Study advice (preparation and review)
Students are encouraged to refer to the course material/references indicated in the course.
Textbook(s)
-
Reference books, course materials, etc.
For reference only:
Kayoko Nohara (2004) Translation Studies in Discussions 『ディスカッションで学ぶ翻訳学』, Sanseido 三省堂 among others.
Evaluation methods and criteria
Contribution in discussions and preparation, creativity and originality in final output.
Related courses
- TSE.C201 ： Introduction to Transdisciplinary Science and Engineering
Prerequisites
Ability to understand lectures and to discuss in English.