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

Media-enhanced courses

-

Day of week/Period
(Classrooms)

Class

-

Course Code

LAH.S512

Number of credits

100

Course offered

2025

Offered quarter

3Q

Syllabus updated

Mar 19, 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 great 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 Heart Sutra and 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, peace

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

Intention of contributions for others, society, and the world. Interest and curiosity on Ecology and Spirituality for own peaceful life.

Other

Let's relax and collaborate together to feell our vivid life force and being. Contents are subject to change.
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This course is 500-level course.
Science Tokyo (science and engineering fields) provides a wedge-shaped style education that allows students to continuously take liberal arts courses from a Bachelor’s Program to a Doctoral Program. Students are recommended to take liberal arts courses in ascending order of course level. In the semester right after enrollment in the Master’s Degree Program – i.e., 1Q and 2Q for students who enroll in spring, and 3Q or 4Q for students who enroll in fall – students may register only in 400-level Humanities and Social Science Courses.
Students may take 500-level Humanities and Social Science Courses after studying at least six months after enrollment, i.e., in 3Q and 4Q for students who enroll in spring, and in 1Q and 2Q of the following year for students who enroll in fall.