Sociology

Just as science and engineering aim to embody the values of truth in science and goodness in engineering, sociology also seeks to reveal the mechanisms among people (truth) and build a better society (goodness). Simply put, sociology provides a framework for people to live better lives. The purpose of this course is to equip you with such a framework.

This course introduces sociology through lectures. Society consists of individuals, communities, and institutions. Here, institutions encompass not only legal and organizational systems but also unwritten norms and customs, language and ethnicity, as well as various narratives and myths.

This lecture focuses primarily on sociological theory. All academic disciplines are grounded in theory, and sociology is no exception. However, sociology emerged alongside the formation of modern society and possesses a distinct character compared to natural sciences or economics, exhibiting heightened sensitivity to societal change.

As seen in the significant shifts in gender norms over recent decades, many norms are historically and socially constructed, relative entities. Sociology has illuminated how the common sense and values that guide our actions and lives have been socially constructed.

This perspective can sometimes challenge our assumptions. Yet this is not unique to sociology; it is part of the intellectual endeavor undertaken by all disciplines, including physics, medicine, and biology. Sociology often faces particular resistance because we live with naive understandings of society and humanity as given, and it questions these very premises.

This lecture will explore this relativizing perspective as one of sociology's core tenets. It aims not to leave us merely skeptical, but to use this perspective as a foundation for envisioning a better society. Building on insights into social construction, the goal is to cultivate a viewpoint that connects these insights to both understanding society and engaging in social practice.

1. Students can explain the theories of many major sociologists covered in lectures.
2. Students can develop humanities and social science arguments using multiple schools of thought and theories, grounded in real-world social phenomena and issues.
3. Students can overview and explain sociology as a whole.
4. Students can develop arguments concerning social design, going beyond merely understanding the relativization of norms through social construction.

Starting from the second session, evaluation will be based on cumulative scores from quizzes and assignments given nearly every session.
A score of 60 or higher on a 100-point scale is required to earn credit.
A score of 60 indicates a level where the fundamentals have been mastered across all four learning objectives.

Japanese

Reference Books :

Encyclopedia of Sociology Literature

Proposition Collection: Sociology

Shinya Morishita, Encyclopedia for Understanding Sociology

Kojin Karatani, The Origins of Modern Japanese Literature

Munesuke Mita, The Origin of the Self

Yusuke Maki, The Sound of Air Currents

Kenichi Tominaga, Lectures on Sociology (Chuko Shinsho)

• If you wish to participate, please contact Nakai by e-mail (muto(at)shibaura-it.αc.jp) in advance.

Regionally-oriented course

• Course that cultivates an ability for utilizing knowledge
• Course that cultivates a basic interpersonal skills
• Course that cultivates a basic self-management skills

More than one class is interactive

• 1.NO POVERTY
• 3.GOOD HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
• 4.QUALITY EDUCATION
• 5.GENDER EQUALITY
• 7.AFFORDABLE AND CLEAN ENERGY
• 8.DECENT WORK AND ECONOMIC GROWTH
• 9.INDUSTRY, INNOVATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE
• 10.REDUCED INEQUALITIES
• 11.SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND COMMUNITIES
• 12.RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION & PRODUCTION
• 13.CLIMATE ACTION
• 16.PEACE, JUSTICE AND STRONG INSTITUTIONS
• 17.PARTNERSHIPS FOR THE GOALS