Faculty of Letters Department of General Humanities
Course Information
Lecture and Seminar Introductions
Introductory Specialized Subjects
Foundations of Integrated Humanities I
This is a required course for first-Department of General Humanities students in the first semester. Faculty members from each field—"Philosophy of Thought," "Culture and Arts," and "Religion and Theology"—will deliver introductory lectures in an omnibus format, exploring the possibilities and appeal of studying in the Department of Department of General Humanities and will lead to the selection of subsequent courses, seminars, and graduation thesis topics.
Thought and Philosophy
Greek and Roman thought and philosophy
This course will explore ancient philosophy, the source of Western thought. The first half of the course will cover three prominent ancient Greek philosophers: Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. The second half will examine philosophies from the Hellenistic and Roman periods, such as Stoicism and Epicureanism. Through this course, we will consider questions such as whether universal truths exist and how humans can achieve happiness.
Japanese thought and philosophy
This course provides a comprehensive study of Japanese thought and philosophy, including Buddhism, Confucianism, Shinto, Christianity, Bushido, and modern philosophy. Japanese thought has been formed through the interconnectedness of various intellectual currents, such as Buddhism, Confucianism, Shinto, Christianity, Bushido, and modern philosophy. In modern times, these philosophies have lost their original content, becoming mere formalities and fragmented discourses that unconsciously constrain people's thoughts and actions. This course aims to build a philosophical foundation for considering one's own way of life by re-examining the various intellectual currents that have developed in Japan.
Bioethics
Recent advancements in life sciences and medical technology have opened up a wide range of possibilities, but they have also presented new ethical challenges that we must consider deeply, such as in vitro fertilization, surrogacy, prenatal diagnosis, euthanasia, and organ transplantation. In this course, we will address these contemporary bioethical issues and examine them from an ethical perspective, taking into account opinions from multiple viewpoints.
Culture and Arts
Christianity and Music
Western music can trace its origins back to Christianity and its music. From the "do-re-mi" scale to the music we encounter daily, the music we experience daily has been shaped in deep connection with Christianity. This course aims to appreciate Christian music from the Middle Ages to the present day, and to consider the understanding of diverse cultures and multicultural coexistence through Christian music from around the world. Through Christian music, we will understand why Christianity values music, what role music plays, and define what Christian music and religious music are. Finally, we will consider the significance of Christianity and its music in culture and society.
Christianity and Art
In this class, we will examine works of art (primarily paintings) that focus on the New Testament of the Bible, comparing them with the descriptions in the Bible. Images in religious art can be considered concrete examples of interpretations of the relevant passages in the Bible within the era and society in which they were created. Through this, we will explore how the Bible has been interpreted in different ways throughout history.
Japanese culture theory
Just as the Hyakunin Isshu (One Hundred Poets, One Poem Each) contains many love poems by Buddhist monks, "love" holds a unique significance in Japanese culture and has influenced the concept of "romance" since the modern era. In this course, focusing on the theme of "The Tradition and Transformation of 'Love' in Japanese Culture," we will trace the depiction of "love" in Japanese literature from ancient times to the modern era, understanding its characteristics and transformations, and forming a foundation for considering what "love" should be like today.
Religion and Theology
An Introduction to the Old Testament I
In this course, we will discuss the validity of interpretations of major scenes from the Old Testament, such as the creation of the world, the expulsion from paradise, and the story of Noah, based on the texts themselves, and acquire various fundamental knowledge necessary for Old Testament studies. First, we will gain accurate knowledge of the language, structure, and historical formation process of the original Old Testament texts, and then we will consider what kind of intellectual issues the Old Testament raises.
An Introduction to the New Testament I
What exactly is the Bible, the most widely read book in the world? This course will focus on this question while providing an overview of the various documents of the New Testament. The Bible contains many teachings that are still important to people today. We will begin by studying religion in general, then the historical background of the New Testament, and, based on the activities of Jesus, we will learn about the origins of the tradition of Jesus, the circumstances surrounding the creation of each Gospel, and their characteristics. We will examine the characteristics of each document, identify their differences, and come to understand the diversity of the New Testament.
Religious Studies I
This course, themed "Aspects of New Religions and Cults in Japan," will explore the history, doctrines, and characteristics of various religious groups in Japan from the late Edo period to the present day, particularly those known as new religions. It will also examine the doctrines, history, problems, and challenges of groups that have become social issues and are commonly referred to as "cults." Through this course, students will acquire fundamental concepts related to new religions and cults, and develop the ability to analyze diverse religious phenomena from a religious studies perspective.
