


Tohoku University
Sendai, Japan
Since its founding in 1907, Tohoku University has groomed generations of leaders by a “Research First” tradition, an “Open Doors” policy and working in the spirit of “Practice-oriented Research and Education.” It is not only known as the first university in Japan to admit female students in 1913, but also one of the first to welcome international students. Currently, more than 10 percent of our approximately 18,000 are international, spread across 10 faculties, 15 graduate schools and six research institutes.
Our research achievements and social contributions led to us being one of the first three institutions to be conferred the status of a Designated National University by the Japanese government in June 2017, and in 2021, for the second year in a row, ranked Number One on Times Higher Education’s annual list of Japanese universities.
Over the past decade since the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami in 2011, Tohoku University has been contributed to the recovery and reconstruction of Japan’s devastated Northeast region. Believing that we can, and should, do more to address resilience and sustainability on a global scale, we have introduced a Green Goals Initiative, which is a commitment to further develop green technology, contribute to recovery and resilience, towards the creation of a green future society.
Website: http://www.tohoku.ac.jp/english/
VSE Season 2, 2021-22: Courses offered by Tohoku University
Application Deadline
Students must submit an application to the VSE Central Office before:
Feb 28 2022, 12:00 noon Hong Kong Time (UTC+8)
Course Information
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 11, 2022 | ||
Last Day of Class | Aug 1, 2022 | ||
Course Component | Lecture/Discussion/Group Work | ||
Mode of Teaching | Synchronous | ||
Meeting Time | Mon 0850-1020 | ||
Time Zone | UTC+9 | ||
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. | ||
Course-specific Restrictions | N/A | ||
Course Outline | TBA | ||
Points to Note for Students | N/A |
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 11, 2022 | ||
Last Day of Class | Aug 1, 2022 | ||
Course Component | Lecture/Discussion/Group Work | ||
Mode of Teaching | Synchronous | ||
Meeting Time | Mon 1030-1200 | ||
Time Zone | UTC+9 | ||
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. | ||
Course-specific Restrictions | N/A | ||
Course Outline | TBA | ||
Points to Note for Students | N/A |
Number of Credits | 2 | ||
Offering Department | Institute for Excellence in Higher Education | ||
Course Teacher | KIKUE YAMAMOTO | ||
Language of Instruction | English | ||
First Day of Class | Apr 11, 2022 | ||
Last Day of Class | Aug 1, 2022 | ||
Course Component | Lecture/Discussion/Group Work | ||
Mode of Teaching | Synchronous | ||
Meeting Time | Mon 1300-1430 | ||
Time Zone | UTC+9 | ||
Course Description | This class provides an introductory theory and concept on interpersonal communication and intercultural communication. Through a participatory-based learning, you will have many opportunities to communicate with other students on topics, based on the textbook. You will learn basic tips and preferred attitude for a better communication. At the end, you will make a group presentation, where you apply your learning as you prepare with your teammates, and will get to acquire a sense of accomplishment and team-spirit. | ||
Course-specific Restrictions | N/A | ||
Course Outline | TBA | ||
Points to Note for Students | N/A |
Number of Credits | 2 | ||
Offering Department | International Strategy Office | ||
Course Teacher | AKIYOSHI YONEZAWA | ||
Language of Instruction | English | ||
First Day of Class | Apr 11, 2022 | ||
Last Day of Class | Aug 1, 2022 | ||
Course Component | Lecture/Discussion/Group Work | ||
Mode of Teaching | Synchronous | ||
Meeting Time | Mon 1620-1750 | ||
Time Zone | UTC+9 | ||
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. | ||
Course-specific Restrictions | N/A | ||
Course Outline | TBA | ||
Points to Note for Students | N/A |
Number of Credits | 2 | ||
Offering Department | Institute for Excellence in Higher Education | ||
Course Teacher | MINO TAKAHASHI | ||
Language of Instruction | English | ||
First Day of Class | Apr 12, 2022 | ||
Last Day of Class | Aug 2, 2022 | ||
Course Component | Lecture/Discussion/Group Work | ||
Mode of Teaching | Synchronous | ||
Meeting Time | Tue 1300-1430 | ||
Time Zone | UTC+9 | ||
Course Description | The aim of this course is to discuss education in the world as a means to establish a deeper understanding of how your own identity developed and your understanding regarding differences and similarities between students from different backgrounds, in order to respect each other and live together peacefully in Japanese society. We will try to create a classroom environment, where students study with each other and each of our views is heard and taken into consideration. Your active participation in the classroom is expected. Regarding the contents, this course gives you the knowledge about the history and development of “International Understanding” in Japan and in the world through learning the policies of the United Nations Educational,Scientific and Cultural Organization. Based on the theory, we will discuss how to practice “Education for International Understanding” at school and university. Here is the outline of the course: 1) Introduction 2) History of Education for International Understanding 3) Discuss: Is “Virtue” necessary to learn? Or is it learnt through living in society? 4) Discuss: What should be taught and included in history textbooks? 5) Discuss: Why education is important? 6) Discuss: Is education effective for peace? 7) Discuss: What and how should Education for International Understanding be taught? Reflect on your school life. What have you learned in education for international understanding? Was it effective? 8) Discuss “Human Rights Education” and “Environmental Education” Are human rights education and environmental education related to education for international understanding? 9) Discuss: “Peace Education” and “Gender Equality” 10) Workshop from a Guest Speaker 11) Prepare for Presentation 12) Group Presentation 13) Group Presentation 14) Group Presentation 15) Test (1 hour) or Report and Feedback | ||
Course-specific Restrictions | N/A | ||
Course Outline | TBA | ||
Points to Note for Students | N/A |
The number of credits is shown as provided by the course offering university. The credit structure at the course offering university may be different from the one at your home university. Please contact the VSE Coordinator of your home university for credit transfer information.
Course enrollment is subject to final approval from your home university and the course offering university.