Innovation Studies [a] 2022

Course Description

This course will cover some of the subject areas taught in Japanese in other courses offered in the Faculty of Social Innovation (sociology, psychology, economics, finance, political science, innovation studies etc.). The targeted level of instruction is "upper intermediate" as described in level B2 of the guidelines of CEFR (Common European Framework for Languages). This course will give students the opportunity to learn the concepts and the English terminology related to their fields of study, and to gain an international perspective on these fields of study.

Course Goals

Students will be introduced to lectures and interviews from fields of study related to other courses in the Faculty of Social Innovation, and they will learn basic concepts and English terminology related to them. The course will also naturally share many of the objectives of previous English courses that focus on the acquisition of general English language skills. Students will develop an ability to analyze and discuss the materials studied.

Teaching Methods            　

This course is a practical. The language of instruction and communication among students will be English. The lessons will be based on authentic materials such as TED talks and interviews broadcast in various media. In the first semester, these materials may be presented in an abridged format if students find authentic materials to be too challenging. The materials will introduce various fields of study with texts and subtitles that support the audio-visual material. Students will be expected to comprehend the texts and learn the terminology of the fields of study. They will practice taking notes and making written and oral summaries of the materials studied. Finally, they will discuss and critically review what they have studied. For a final assignment, students will present a source of their own choosing on one of the
topics studied during the semester. Assignments will be graded, and feedback will be provided collectively or individually.

Schedule and Plan

1. Course Introduction. Psychology: Attachment theory.

2. Psychology: Helen Fisher: TED talk: Why we love, why we cheat.

3. Psychology: Discussion of previous lessons on psychology.

4. Economics: The crisis of capitalism and bureaucratization. Causes of the 2007-2008 financial crisis.

5. Economics: Keiser Report (E723), interview with anthropologist David Graeber, author of The Utopia of Rules.

6. Economics: Discussion of previous lessons on economics.

7. Science and technology: Challenges of automation and technology in the age of demographic crisis.

8. Science and technology: Managing the cost of healthcare. TED talk by Atul Gawande: How Do We Heal Medicine?

9. Science and technology: Discussion of previous lessons on science and technology and possible connections to the previous topics, economics and psychology.

10. Governance and political institutions: Various commentaries on the American election of 2016 and the political and social disruptions that followed it.

11. Governance and political institutions: Interview with historian Helen Yaffe on the BBC, contrasting the nature of democracy in the USA and in Cuba.

12. Governance and political institutions: Discussion of previous lessons on this topic.

13. Student presentations. Students discuss their own chosen material related to any of the topics above.

14. Student presentations. Students discuss their own chosen material related to any of the topics above.

15. Student presentations. Students discuss their own chosen material related to any of the topics above.

If the corona virus (Sars-Cov-2) still presents too much of a danger at any time during the academic year, the teacher will conduct classes by

Zoom sessions and by using some on-demand materials. If such a change is necessary, the content, teaching method and method of evaluation will be revised. Regardless of the general level of risk posed by the corona virus, there may be some students who have special health reasons for not wishing to attend classes on campus. Such students will be able to follow the course through independent study methods.

Independent study outside of Course Hours (Assignments, Preparation and Review etc.)   　

The study materials are more difficult than what students have encountered in first and second year courses, so they should expect to spend more time reviewing and preparing for lessons.

Assessment Criteria and Methods     　

Participation: 40％, Presentation: 40％, Review and preparation for classes: 20％

Textbook     　

No textbook is required for this course.

Suggested Readings and Supplementary Materials        　

The study materials are more difficult than what students have encountered in first and second year courses, so they should expect to spend more time reviewing and preparing for lessons. The content of the lessons may be revised if students find it to be too difficult.

Expectations for Enrolled Students   　

Because this is an elective course, it is expected that students will be highly motivated and capable of working at a higher level than the first and second year courses. Students should be prepared to spend extra time preparing for lessons, and they should actively look for
supplementary information on the topics covered in class.

If the chosen materials appear to be too difficult for the students who enroll, the teacher will adjust the plan described above to suit the students' abilities. Do not hesitate to join the class just because it seems to be
too challenging.

Method to Contact the Lecturer         　

riches[at]seijo.ac.jp
Room 3813
Office hours: Monday 10:40-12:10, Friday 10:40-12:10, Friday 14:40-16:10