Courses

Tohoku University
Sendai, Japan

Tohoku University is a Japanese national university located in Sendai City with 10 faculties, 16 graduate schools, 3 professional graduate schools and 5 research institutes with approximately 5,400 faculty and staff and over 18,000 students from the undergraduate to doctoral level.

Ever since Tohoku University was established in 1907 as Japan’s third imperial university, its philosophy has been always “Research First” and maintained “Open-Door” policy for emphasizing “Practice-Oriented Research and Education.” Over the years, the university has offered world-class education to its students and succeeded in carrying out world-class research. Resolved to play a leading role, the university has come to a point in redirecting the future course of development towards three main principles which are “Challenge,” “Creation,” and “Innovation.” At its core, there is a spirit of “Challenge” that motivates its students and researchers to achieve a level of excellence required to build the society of the future.

Considering international cooperation highly important, the university is a member of AERU (Association of East Asian Research Universities), T.I.M.E. (Top Industrial Managers for Europe), GE4 (Global Education for European Engineers and Entrepreneurs) and Global E3 (Global Engineering Education Exchange) and APRU. These approaches have been successful in gaining acknowledgement as a university with distinctive education and internationality in Japan, which lead the university to be selected for various programs initiated by Japanese government.

Website: www.tohoku.ac.jp/english/

English Language Proficiency Requirements

There is no specific requirement but students applying to Tohoku University courses are recommended to possess an English language proficiency equivalent to a score of 79 at the TOEFL iBT or above.

Course Offerings for the semester from January to August 2021

APPLICATION CLOSED

Students must submit an application online before:
March 8, 2021 12:00nn Hong Kong Time (UTC+8)

Home universities must submit the list of endorsed students to VSE Central Office before:
March 9, 2021 12:00nn Hong Kong Time (UTC+8)

Click on the course titles to reveal full course details:

Number of Credits	2
Offering Department	Institute for Excellence in Higher Education
Course Teacher	KAMIHITO TAKEUCHI
Language of Instruction	English
First Day of Class	Apr 13, 2021
Last Day of Class	Aug 3, 2021
Course Component	Lecture/Discussion/Group Work
Mode of Teaching	Synchronous
Meeting Time	Tue 0850-1020
Time Zone	UTC+9
Restrictions	-
Course Description	Students in this course will learn to acquire the adaptability to the Japanese corporate community by understanding common social practice in Japan. The study style of this course not be the general academic lecture based style, but it will be the style of active learning and projectbased (Making EQ Video) learning focused on Japanese social customs, manners, and etiquettes required for prospective business leaders or global facilitators in the corporate society, both domestic and foreign. The course will be guided and instructed by the CEO of a headhunting agent company, who is a professional consultant with the experience of over 30 years in the fields of human resource (HR) management and Corporate Planning & Management at global companies in and outside Japan.
Points to note for students	Please read the course guide at https://www.insc.tohoku.ac.jp/english/apru-course-information/ carefully prior to application.
Course Outline	TBA

Number of Credits	2
Offering Department	Institute for Excellence in Higher Education
Course Teacher	MITSURU HAGA
Language of Instruction	English
First Day of Class	Apr 13, 2021
Last Day of Class	Aug 3, 2021
Course Component	Lecture/Discussion/Group Work
Mode of Teaching	Synchronous
Meeting Time	Tue 1300-1430
Time Zone	UTC+9
Restrictions	-
Course Description	Art is the way we comprehend and understand this Universe. Therefore Art should be regarded as a visual philosophy; not as a mere illustration of history based on written documents. Thus, the importance of understanding Art history, in this case, History of Art in Ancient Eurasian, can never be exaggerated. First, students will engage with Ancient Greek Art from its beginning to the Hellenistic Age. Then students will be introduced to Buddhist Art of pre-iconic phases in India and Central Asia. After examining Alexander the Great's campaign in the East, students will learn its consequences reflected in Art in Hellenistic Kingdoms and in Central Asia. In this framework, Buddhist Art of the iconic phase will be treated. The teacher will explain results of his excavation of a Greco-Kushan city, Kampyr-tepa , along the "Silk Roads" by the Amu Darya (Oxus River) running between Uzbekistan and Afghanistan. Finally students will learn how Buddhism and Buddhist Art diffused into China.
Points to note for students	Please read the course guide at https://www.insc.tohoku.ac.jp/english/apru-course-information/ carefully prior to application.
Course Outline	TBA

Number of Credits	2
Offering Department	Institute for Excellence in Higher Education
Course Teacher	CHIAKI SUEMATSU
Language of Instruction	English
First Day of Class	Apr 12, 2021
Last Day of Class	Aug 2, 2021
Course Component	Lecture/Discussion/Group Work
Mode of Teaching	Synchronous
Meeting Time	Mon 1030-1200
Time Zone	UTC+9
Restrictions	-
Course Description	This course introduces students to the typical decision-making in Japan, especially in Japanese companies. The classes will cover not only the ways of Japanese decision-making but also those of the Western world. In contrast with these mechanisms, things peculiar to Japan will be highlighted. Japanese companies are famous for the consensus decision-making. What are advantages and disadvantages of the consensus decision-making? What have Japanese companies changed to the management board in order to alleviate the disadvantages? Is there any good way to reach a consensus easier? While answering these questions, the course will emphasize the things Japanese are most concerned about to illustrate the Japanese culture. Two main objectives of the course are to provide the knowledge of Japanese style discussions and to provide the basic skills of the facilitator who helps make the process of reaching a consensus decision easier.
Points to note for students	Please read the course guide at https://www.insc.tohoku.ac.jp/english/apru-course-information/ carefully prior to application.
Course Outline	TBA

Number of Credits	2
Offering Department	International Strategy Office
Course Teacher	AKIYOSHI YONEZAWA
Language of Instruction	English
First Day of Class	Apr 12, 2021
Last Day of Class	Aug 2, 2021
Course Component	Lecture/Discussion/Group Work
Mode of Teaching	Synchronous
Meeting Time	Mon 1300-1430
Time Zone	UTC+9
Restrictions	-
Course Description	This course is intended to generate a comprehensive understanding of the global context of universities in Japan and the world. Universities and higher education play an essential role in contemporary knowledge-based societies. At the same time, the characteristics of current universities are inevitably linked with the historical contexts, issues of access and equity, and the mobility perceived as brain gain/drain and brain circulation. The class covers the following topics; (1) historical origins and current trends of higher education in Japan and the world, (2) access, equity and finance in higher education in Japan and the world, (3) knowledge economy and higher education in Japan and the world, and (4) international dimensions in higher education. Across these topics, participants are expected to examine the role and value of universities in Japan and the world. This class provides a good opportunity to the international context of your university life.
Points to note for students	Please read the course guide at https://www.insc.tohoku.ac.jp/english/apru-course-information/ carefully prior to application.
Course Outline	TBA

Number of Credits	4
Offering Department	Institute for Excellence in Higher Education
Course Teacher	TBA
Language of Instruction	Japanese
First Day of Class	Apr 21, 2021
Last Day of Class	Aug 13, 2021
Course Component	Lecture
Mode of Teaching	Synchronous
Meeting Time	Wed & Fri 1440-1750
Time Zone	UTC+9
Restrictions	Students must take three free placement tests: SPOT90, Grammar90 and KanjiSPOT50 (“漢字SPOT50”) at TTBJ: Tsukuba Test Battery of Japanese (https://ttbj.cegloc.tsukuba.ac.jp/index.html) and submit a score sheet at the time of application. After taking the test, please self-evaluate your SPOT results and choose the course that fits your level. For more details, please refer to the course guide.
Course Description	Students will acquire the minimum, basic abilities in conversation and reading/writing necessary for everyday life in Japan.
Points to note for students	Please read the course guide at https://www.insc.tohoku.ac.jp/english/apru-course-information/ carefully prior to application.
Course Outline	TBA

Number of Credits	4
Offering Department	Institute for Excellence in Higher Education
Course Teacher	TBA
Language of Instruction	Japanese
First Day of Class	Apr 19, 2021
Last Day of Class	Aug 12, 2021
Course Component	Lecture
Mode of Teaching	Synchronous
Meeting Time	Mon & Thu 1440-1750
Time Zone	UTC+9
Restrictions	Students must take three free placement tests: SPOT90, Grammar90 and KanjiSPOT50 (“漢字SPOT50”) at TTBJ: Tsukuba Test Battery of Japanese (https://ttbj.cegloc.tsukuba.ac.jp/index.html) and submit a score sheet at the time of application. After taking the test, please self-evaluate your SPOT results and choose the course that fits your level. For more details, please refer to the course guide.
Course Description	Students will acquire basic abilities in simple conversation and reading/writing needed for everyday life in Japan.
Points to note for students	Please read the course guide at https://www.insc.tohoku.ac.jp/english/apru-course-information/ carefully prior to application.
Course Outline	TBA

Number of Credits	2
Offering Department	Institute for Excellence in Higher Education
Course Teacher	TBA
Language of Instruction	Japanese
First Day of Class	Apr 21, 2021
Last Day of Class	Aug 11, 2021
Course Component	Lecture
Mode of Teaching	Synchronous
Meeting Time	Wed 0850-1200
Time Zone	UTC+9
Restrictions	Students must take three free placement tests: SPOT90, Grammar90 and KanjiSPOT50 (“漢字SPOT50”) at TTBJ: Tsukuba Test Battery of Japanese (https://ttbj.cegloc.tsukuba.ac.jp/index.html) and submit a score sheet at the time of application. After taking the test, please self-evaluate your SPOT results and choose the course that fits your level. For more details, please refer to the course guide.
Course Description	Students will acquire basic grammar and vocabulary needed for everyday life and attending university classes in Japan, learn the skills “reading” and “writing”.
Points to note for students	Please read the course guide at https://www.insc.tohoku.ac.jp/english/apru-course-information/ carefully prior to application.
Course Outline	TBA

Number of Credits	2
Offering Department	Institute for Excellence in Higher Education
Course Teacher	TBA
Language of Instruction	Japanese
First Day of Class	Apr 21, 2021
Last Day of Class	Aug 11, 2021
Course Component	Lecture
Mode of Teaching	Synchronous
Meeting Time	Wed 0850-1200
Time Zone	UTC+9
Restrictions	Students must take three free placement tests: SPOT90, Grammar90 and KanjiSPOT50 (“漢字SPOT50”) at TTBJ: Tsukuba Test Battery of Japanese (https://ttbj.cegloc.tsukuba.ac.jp/index.html) and submit a score sheet at the time of application. After taking the test, please self-evaluate your SPOT results and choose the course that fits your level. For more details, please refer to the course guide.
Course Description	Students will learn to understand and use grammar and vocabulary needed to read articles and essays on familiar topics of interest and write reports on them, attend classes, and express their own opinions, toward mastering the Japanese “reading” and “writing” skills that lead from intermediate to upper-intermediate level.
Points to note for students	Please read the course guide at https://www.insc.tohoku.ac.jp/english/apru-course-information/ carefully prior to application.
Course Outline	TBA

Number of Credits	0.5
Offering Department	Institute for Excellence in Higher Education
Course Teacher	TBA
Language of Instruction	Japanese
First Day of Class	Apr 22, 2021
Last Day of Class	Jun 10, 2021
Course Component	Lecture
Mode of Teaching	Synchronous
Meeting Time	Thu 1300-1430
Time Zone	UTC+9
Restrictions	Students must take three free placement tests: SPOT90, Grammar90 and KanjiSPOT50 (“漢字SPOT50”) at TTBJ: Tsukuba Test Battery of Japanese (https://ttbj.cegloc.tsukuba.ac.jp/index.html) and submit a score sheet at the time of application. After taking the test, please self-evaluate your SPOT results and choose the course that fits your level. For more details, please refer to the course guide.
Course Description	The "Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT)" is the most important examination in the Japanese language proficiency evaluation paticipated by Japanese learners. In this subject, you aim to acquire the Japanese ability to pass the N2. Study kanji / vocabulary, grammar and idiomatic expressions etc using countermeasure collections and aim for passing in this exam in December this year.
Points to note for students	Please read the course guide at https://www.insc.tohoku.ac.jp/english/apru-course-information/ carefully prior to application.
Course Outline	TBA

Number of Credits	0.5
Offering Department	Institute for Excellence in Higher Education
Course Teacher	TBA
Language of Instruction	Japanese
First Day of Class	Apr 21, 2021
Last Day of Class	Jun 9, 2021
Course Component	Lecture
Mode of Teaching	Synchronous
Meeting Time	Wed 1300-1430
Time Zone	UTC+9
Restrictions	Students must take three free placement tests: SPOT90, Grammar90 and KanjiSPOT50 (“漢字SPOT50”) at TTBJ: Tsukuba Test Battery of Japanese (https://ttbj.cegloc.tsukuba.ac.jp/index.html) and submit a score sheet at the time of application. After taking the test, please self-evaluate your SPOT results and choose the course that fits your level. For more details, please refer to the course guide.
Course Description	The "Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT)" is the most important examination in the Japanese language proficiency evaluation paticipated by Japanese learners. In this subject, you aim to acquire the Japanese ability to pass the N1. Study kanji / vocabulary, grammar and idiomatic expressions etc using countermeasure collections and aim for passing in this exam in December this year.
Points to note for students	Please read the course guide at https://www.insc.tohoku.ac.jp/english/apru-course-information/ carefully prior to application.
Course Outline	TBA

Course enrollment is subject to final approval from your home university and the course offering university. Please contact the APRU VSE Coordinator of your home university for credit transfer information.

	APRU Virtual Student Exchange Program Central Office The Chinese University of Hong Kong
	Email: [email protected]