2026 (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)
- Rumi Takata
- Class Format
- Lecture
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - Class
- -
- Course Code
- LAH.S403
- Number of credits
- 100
- Course offered
- 2026
- Offered quarter
- 4Q
- Syllabus updated
- Jul 22, 2026
- Language
- Japanese
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
This course takes a broad approach to religion, viewing it not only in terms of doctrines and institutions, but also as a range of practices found in people's everyday lives, including prayer, ritual, commemoration, healing, and ways of engaging with life and death. Drawing on familiar practices such as annual observances and rituals, funerary practices, and memorial rites, as well as the growing presence of spirituality in contemporary society, the course examines the significance of religion in contemporary society. It also considers educational practices developed after major earthquakes that encourage reflection on "life," and explores the intersections between religion and learning about death and loss.
The course aims to deepen students' understanding of the relationship between religion and society through these concrete examples. Through group discussions, students will also develop the ability to articulate their own ideas and a willingness to understand the views of others.
Course description and aims
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
(1) understand the relationship between religion and people's lives through familiar practices and concrete examples;
(2) explain familiar practices related to religion from social and cultural perspectives; and
(3) articulate their own views on religion with reference to concrete examples.
Keywords
religion, ritual, perspectives on life and death, loss, commemoration, spirituality
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
Lectures will form the basis of the course, while students will consider questions posed in class through group discussions and short written assignments. By exchanging views with one another, students will deepen their understanding of religion and society.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Course Orientation / What Is Religion? |
Exploring "religion" through one's own everyday life and experiences |
| Class 2 | Annual Observances and Rituals |
Exploring religious culture in everyday life |
| Class 3 | Funerary Practices and Memorial Rites |
Considering relationships with the dead and care for the living |
| Class 4 | Healing and Spirituality |
Considering anxiety, sources of support, and meaning-making in contemporary life |
| Class 5 | Disaster, Commemoration, and "Lessons on Life" |
Considering post-disaster learning about death and loss |
| Class 6 | Religion and Perspectives on Life and Death in a Society Shaped by Science and Technology |
Exploring the intersections between advances in science and technology and religion |
| Class 7 | Review / What Is Religion? |
Articulating, in one's own words, an answer to the question "What is religion?" |
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 reference books and other course materials.
Textbook(s)
None
Reference books, course materials, etc.
Materials and information to be examined will be provided in class.
Evaluation methods and criteria
Discussion: 60%; short written assignments: 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
None