Collaboration across STEM and Liberal Arts: Playgrounds [2]

Academic unit or major

Humanities and social science courses

Instructor(s)

Kyohhei Kitamura

Class Format

Lecture/Exercise

Media-enhanced courses

-

Day of week/Period
(Classrooms)

Class

-

Course Code

LAH.C662

Number of credits

110

Course offered

2026

Offered quarter

3Q

Syllabus updated

Mar 23, 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 English, but Japanese may be used if consensus can be reached within the group. Moderators and instructors will give lectures in Japanese, to be translated by ZOOM's translation function.
Students will take an e-learning session on research ethics in the first class. Submission of the “session-completion certificate” is required.

This lecture focuses on “playgrounds,” discussing the history of playground equipment and parks, the challenges playgrounds are faced with, and the future potential of parks. Over the past 30 years, Japanese parks have undergone significant changes. Play equipment itself has been replaced, and the spaces serving as playgrounds are undergoing a transformation alongside the consciousness of the times. Recently, local governments have been focusing their efforts on introducing inclusive play equipment. This lecture aims to deepen the discussion by inviting individuals involved in play equipment production and playground management. We will approach the topic not only from historical and sociological perspectives but also from the viewpoints of design, architecture, and spatial politics.

Course description and aims

Through this course, students will gain an understanding of the historical transition and current state of Japanese playgrounds and its equipment, and develop the ability to critically analyze familiar playgrounds.

Keywords

Playground equipment, Playgrounds, Parks

Competencies

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

Class flow

This course will be conducted online via Zoom. Periods 7 and 8 will feature guest lectures and Q&A sessions, while periods 9 and 10 will be dedicated to group work. Sessions 2 through 6 will invite professionals involved in playground equipment manufacturing and playground management to discuss Japanese playgrounds and play equipment, followed by participant discussions. Guest speakers will be added to the syllabus as confirmed and announced during the first class. Additionally, each student must conduct one fieldwork session at a park before the final lecture, survey the playground equipment, and give a presentation.

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.

Kitamura Kyohhei, Play and Altruism (Shueisha Shinsho, 2024)

Evaluation methods and criteria

Participation: 35%
Assignment: 25%
Report: 40%

Related courses

• None

Prerequisites

No specialized knowledge is required, but active participation is expected.