2025 (Current Year) Faculty Courses Liberal arts and basic science courses Humanities and social science courses
Communication B
- Academic unit or major
- Humanities and social science courses
- Instructor(s)
- Takashi Takao
- Class Format
- Lecture
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - Class
- -
- Course Code
- LAH.H207
- Number of credits
- 200
- Course offered
- 2025
- Offered quarter
- 3Q
- Syllabus updated
- Mar 19, 2025
- Language
- Japanese
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
This course is a practical communication education through impro (improvisational theater). Impro is a form of theater in which players create scenes and stories together without a script or setting. It is also used in school education and corporate training to enhance teamwork, communication, and creativity. Students will enjoy impro creation and expression with their peers. In addition, students will read a book related to impro and write a book report to connect the impro knowledge to themselves and society.
The aim is to acquire practical, improvisational and physical communication skills and learn the basic concepts of impro.
Course description and aims
To enhance practical, improvisational and physical communication skills
To connect the impro knowledge with oneself and society
To enjoy impro creation and expression with their peers
Keywords
communication, impro, improvisation, creativity, teamwork, expression, body, group work
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
Classes will be conducted in a workshop style.
Impro workshop: Through impro games and activities, students will learn by moving their minds and bodies and interacting with each other.
Book report: Students will read, summarize, and share a book related to impro.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Orientation and ice breaking | Experience and short report |
| Class 2 | Watching impro show by guest players | Theatre experience and short report |
| Class 3 | Impro workshop (1) Fear of being seen and self-censorship | Impro experience and short report |
| Class 4 | Impro workshop (2) Creativity and spontaneity | Impro experience and short report |
| Class 5 | Impro workshop (3) Failure and risk-taking | Impro experience and short report |
| Class 6 | Impro workshop (4) Giving your partner a good time | Impro experience and short report |
| Class 7 | Impro workshop (5) Body messages and status | Impro experience and short report |
| Class 8 | Impro workshop (6) Feedback and collaboration | Impro experience and short report |
| Class 9 | Impro workshop (7) Storytelling | Impro experience and short report |
| Class 10 | Book report | Writing and sharing a book report and short report |
| Class 11 | Impro workshop (8) Imagination and simulation | Impro experience and short report |
| Class 12 | Impro workshop (9) Emotion | Impro experience and short report |
| Class 13 | Impro workshop (10) Courage and psychological safety | Impro experience and short report |
| Class 14 | Reflection on the final report | Writing the final report, experience and short report |
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)
None.
Reference books, course materials, etc.
Takao, Takashi and Jun Nakahara. Improvising Organizations. Sanseido, 2012 (Japanese)
Takao, Takashi and Yurie Sonobe (eds.). Inquiry of Impro Education. Shinyosha, 2024 (Japanese)
Johnston, Keith. Impro. Routledge, 1979
Imai, Jun. Keith Johnston's Improvisation. Ronsosha, 2013 (Japanese)
Takao, Takashi. Impro Education. Filmart-sha, 2006 (Japanese)
Other reference books will be announced in class.
Evaluation methods and criteria
Short report, participation and contribution 50%
Book report 20%
Final report 30%
Related courses
- LAH.H107 ： Communication A
- LAH.H319 ： Communication C
- LAH.S445 ： Essence of Humanities and Social Sciences53:Communication
Prerequisites
No previous theatrical experience is necessary. Active participation and involvement are appreciated.
Contact information (e-mail and phone) Notice : Please replace from ”[at]” to ”@”(half-width character).
takao [at] ila.titech.ac.jp
Office hours
Contact by e-mail.
Other
Please be sure not to be late for class as group work is the main part of the class. 15 minutes or more late is not considered as attendance.
Please be sure to wear comfortable clothes for class.