Essence of Humanities and Social Sciences54:Ecology and spirituality for global citizen

Academic unit or major

Humanities and social science courses

Instructor(s)

Tamio Nakano

Class Format

Lecture (Face-to-face)

Media-enhanced courses

-

Day of week/Period
(Classrooms)

3-4 Wed

Class

-

Course Code

LAH.S512

Number of credits

100

Course offered

2024

Offered quarter

3Q

Syllabus updated

Mar 14, 2025

Language

Japanese

Syllabus

Course overview and goals

This course develops the students’ consciousness as Global Citizens living on this planet. We learn the basic principles of “sustainability,” SDGs, and deep ecology. We also learn essence of Spirituality such as Buddhism, Tao, Native American’s wisdom, and Saint Francis of Christianity,and the nature of Yakushima island etc. Ecology and Spirituality is resonate in the standpoint of “we are a part of the greater being.”
This course aim to integrate Science and Spirituality, and cultivate Global Citizenship for sustainable future.

Course description and aims

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
1) Understand the basic principles of “sustainability” and SDGs.
2) Learn Deep Ecology which explores deeper questions beyond human centered approach.
3) Understand the interconnectedness of all being by leaning Buddhism, Heart Sutra, mindfulness, Tao, Native American’s wisdom.
4) Deepen each theme of research for the sustainable future through Global Citizen consciousness.

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)

After working for an advertising company for 30 years and two university for 11 years, the instructor retired in 2023. Through these period, he had tried the integration of spirituality and ecology in many cases.

Keywords

Sustainable development, sustainability, SDGs, Global citizen, Deep ecology, Spirituality, mindfulness, power of music

Competencies

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

Class flow

This course combines the lecture and the group work.
Students are required to read the material beforehand, and the class focuses on the group dialogue and experiential work.
Original songs will be introduced.

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 the course material.

Textbook(s)

None

Reference books, course materials, etc.

Nakano, Tamio. Joyful Practice. Tokyo: Shunju-sha. ISDN978-4-393-33338-9 Japanese

Evaluation methods and criteria

Active Participation(including group work and home work):70%, Final report:30%

Related courses

• TAL.L443 ： Mindfulness for Leadership

Prerequisites

Interest and curiosity on Ecology and Spirituality.

Other

Let's relax and collaborate together to feell our vivid life force.
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This course is 500-level course.
Tokyo Tech’s “wedge-shaped style education” enables students to pursue liberal arts education in a phased manner throughout undergraduate and graduate programs.
Students are encouraged to take 100-level to 600-level courses in order. As such, master’s students must begin Humanities and Social Science courses at the 400 level (in 1Q/2Q of the first year for those entering in April, and 3Q/4Q for those entering in September), then proceed to 500-level courses (in 3Q/4Q or later for those entering in April, and 1Q/2Q of the following year or later for those entering in September).