Collaboration across STEM and Liberal Arts: Towards the Future of Urban Environments: Thoughts from the Tamagawa [2]

Academic unit or major

Humanities and social science courses

Instructor(s)

Kumiko Kiuchi

Class Format

Lecture/Exercise (Livestream)

Media-enhanced courses

-

Day of week/Period
(Classrooms)

5-8 Mon

Class

-

Course Code

LAH.C640

Number of credits

110

Course offered

2026

Offered quarter

1Q

Syllabus updated

Apr 7, 2026

Language

Japanese

Syllabus

Course overview and goals

［Collaboration across STEM and Liberal Arts］are study group-type subjects that will start in 2024. Each time, students will engage in discussions with guest lecturers who are active leaders in their various fields. Together with participating doctoral graduate students, we will explore new developments and possibilities in convergence science.
The maximum number of students is 50 per class. If the number is exceeded, a lottery will be held.
Group work will be conducted in the bilingual setting (English and Japanese), but Japanese-only may be an option if all the students in the group prefer. Moderators and instructors will give lectures in Japanese, but a tutor is bilingual and can offer a follow-up in English.
Students will take an e-learning session on research ethics in the first class. Submission of the “session-completion certificate” is required.

●
The Tama River is a Class A river that flows through Yamanashi Prefecture, Tokyo, and Kanagawa Prefecture before emptying into Tokyo Bay, spanning a total length of 138 km. In October 2019, record-breaking rainfall caused by Typhoon No. 19 led to the river's overflow, resulting in flooding in Kawasaki City, Setagaya Ward, and Ota Ward.

This course examines the global environmental issue of the "Anthropocene" through the specific case of the Tama River. Students will explore the visions and policies necessary for future cities while reconsidering the relationship between urban spaces and nature. Additionally, the course will discuss the use of rivers and riverbanks as "commons."

Course description and aims

Through this course, students will acquire the following knowledge and skills: ① Understand the historical and geographical background of Tokyo's urban rivers and their watersheds; ② Deepen their understanding of the water cycle and environmental issues, reexamine contemporary challenges shaped by rivers, and engage in deeper discussion; ③ Learn about the livelihoods, customs, and cultures shaped by the Tama River, cultivating a perspective that bridges natural sciences and humanities/social sciences (Environmental Humanities). While learning the above, students will develop the ability to proactively and concretely define problems, conduct investigations, and deepen discussions with peers from different disciplines.

Keywords

Tama River, Anthropocene, climate change, urban environment, rivers, multi-species, commons, water culture, Tokyo Bay, livelihood, cultural geography, geology

Competencies

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

Class flow

The classes are conducted via ZOOM. The 5th and 6th periods are for guest lectures and Q&A, while the 7th and 8th periods are for group work. From the 2nd to the 6th sessions, we invite guests and engage in multifaceted discussions on contemporary issues, with the Tama River as a specific case study.

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)

None

Reference books, course materials, etc.

More references will be provided in class.

***
Randolph Hester. Design for Ecological Democracy (MIT Press)
Mohsen Mostafavi(ed), Gareth Doherty(ed), Harvard Univ Graduate Sch of Design(ed) Ecological Urbanism (Lars Mueller)
Richard T. T. Forman. Urban Ecology: Science of Cities (Cambridge UP)

Evaluation methods and criteria

Feedback sheets after class (50%), Final report (50%)

Related courses

• none

Prerequisites

*Since this course involves fieldwork, enrollment is limited to a maximum of 50 students. If the number of applicants exceeds this limit, a lottery will be held. If you wish to be included in the lottery, please complete your course registration by April 9. Only those who have registered by April 9 will be eligible for the lottery, and the results will be announced via email at 10:00 AM on April 10. If a lottery is not necessary, we will notify you accordingly.