Special Lecture on Advanced Topics in Social and Human Sciences SA

Academic unit or major

Graduate major in Social and Human Sciences

Instructor(s)

Maho Isono

Class Format

Lecture (Face-to-face)

Media-enhanced courses

-

Day of week/Period
(Classrooms)

3-4 Thu (M-B45(H105))

Class

-

Course Code

SHS.L417

Number of credits

100

Course offered

2026

Offered quarter

1Q

Syllabus updated

Apr 2, 2026

Language

Japanese

Syllabus

Course overview and goals

This graduate-level seminar addresses a central question that cultural anthropology has pursued for more than a century: How does the world appear to the person in front of us? While contemporary problem-solving often relies on statistical evidence and macro-level perspectives, our everyday human relationships remain fundamentally one-to-one—and many interpersonal difficulties arise precisely within such encounters.

Drawing on anthropological philosophies and methods, the course temporarily brackets judgments of “good” and “bad” and instead practices a stance of trying to see from the other person’s standpoint—figuratively, “standing just behind their shoulder.” Students will develop both conceptual frameworks and practical techniques for strengthening their capacity to ask meaningful questions and to listen carefully. In class, students will work in pairs to practice structured listening and interviewing, followed by reflection and discussion.

Course description and aims

(1) Knowledge acquisition about one of five fields, science, or technology.
(2) Master the research method about one of five fields or common for multi fields.

Keywords

cultural anthropology, ethnography, interview

Competencies

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

Class flow

This is a seminar-style course with a strong emphasis on dialogue and hands-on activities. Because the assignments directly affect in-class work, students must complete them in advance and come prepared to participate.

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 textbooks and other course material.

Textbook(s)

James P. Spradley(2016) The Ethnographic Interview . Waveland Pr Inc

Reference books, course materials, etc.

Specified by the teacher as necessary.

Evaluation methods and criteria

Grades will be based on participation in in-class dialogue and activities, as well as submission of assignments. Late arrival will result in a penalty.

Related courses

• 喬s Essence of Humanities and Social Sciences55:Cultural Anthropology

Prerequisites

Because tardiness disrupts in-class dialogue and activities, students are expected to arrive on time. As a rule, no make-up arrangements will be provided for absences.

Other

This class is conducted in Japapnese