2025 (Current Year) Faculty Courses Liberal arts and basic science courses Humanities and social science courses
Essence of Humanities and Social Sciences3:Religion
- Academic unit or major
- Humanities and social science courses
- Instructor(s)
- Mao Fujii
- Class Format
- Lecture
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - Class
- -
- Course Code
- LAH.S403
- Number of credits
- 100
- Course offered
- 2025
- Offered quarter
- 4Q
- Syllabus updated
- Mar 19, 2025
- Language
- Japanese
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
This course deals with the basic concepts and principles of religious studies. This course focuses on the definition and functions of religion and covers the relationship between religion and modern society. Although it was thought that religion would decline with modernization, it has not disappeared and still exists in various forms today. For example, many people experience "Hatsumoude(The first shrine or temple visit of the year)" and funerals. There is an abundance of information related to spirituality on SNS. Furthermore, there are many opportunities to see and hear the word "cult."
Students consider these religious phenomena in modern society taking also historical continuity into account. This course aims to understand modern religion and to enable them to express their thoughts on religion in their own words. Living in Japan, there are not many opportunities to talk about religion. Through this course, students exchange thoughts with each other, deepen their thoughts about religion, and acquire communication skills to convey these thoughts to others.
Course description and aims
Students will learn the following skills from taking this course.
1) Be able to explain how religion relates to lives using specific examples.
2) Be able to understand religion from various aspects such as its possibilities and risks.
3) Be able to express one's views of religion.
Keywords
Religion, Religious group, cult, modernaization, spirituality
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
Every class contains not only a lecture but also a group discussion. Students must respond to the question from a teacher through discussions or short reports.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Introduction: what is religion? | Consider what religion is based on your past experiences. |
| Class 2 | Definition and function of religion | Consider the functions of religion in modern society. |
| Class 3 | Various religious groups | Consider the possibilities and risks of religious groups. |
| Class 4 | Modernization and Religion | Consider the relationship between technology development and religion. |
| Class 5 | Religion in Japan | Consider religion in Japan, which is said to be not religious. |
| Class 6 | Religion and Spirituality | Consider whether spirituality can make people happy. |
| Class 7 | Conclusion | Consider what religion is again. |
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 course material.
Textbook(s)
None required.
Reference books, course materials, etc.
Course materials are provided during class.
Evaluation methods and criteria
Discussion: 60%, Short report: 40%
Related courses
- LAH.H106 ： Religion A
- LAH.H206 ： Religion B
- LAH.H306 ： Religion C
- SHS.U444 ： Graduate Lecture in Culture and Arts F1B
Prerequisites
No prerequisites.