Reading Seminar: Bridging High School and University Learning

Instructor

Workshop details

  • time: 13:00-17:00
  • location: “Anywhere”

Workshop description

This reading seminar bridges high school and university learning by encouraging students to share the experience of reading and discussing a topical book written for, or accessible to, high school students. Participants read the assigned text in advance, complete a short preparatory task, exchange ideas on its key arguments, questions, and insights, and collaboratively write a book introduction. Through seminar-style discussion, students deepen their understanding of both the text and its academic background while experiencing a university-style reading seminar. The workshop develops close reading, critical thinking, appreciation of diverse perspectives, respectful discussion skills, and the ability to work collaboratively in small groups.

Previous Readings

Academic Year 2025

  • Ishizawa Takeaki (2025), Shuzutsu ha Sugoi (Surgery is amazing!), Kodansha Blue Backs.
  • Tawada Yoko (2024), Chikyu ni Chiribamerarete (Scattered All Over the Earth), Kodansha Bunko.
  • The Asahi Shimbun (2021), 8 Gake Shakai: Kieru Rodosha, Kuchiru Infra (Japan’s 80% Society: Disappearing Workers, Decaying Infrastructure), Asahi Shinsho.

Academic Year 2024

  • Izumi Yu (2023), Waruguchi te Nandaro (What is meant by ‘pejorative language’?), Chikuma Shinsho.
  • José Y. Kawashima et.al (2023), Kohi de Yomitoku SDGs (Understanding the SDGs with Coffee), PoplarShinsho.
  • Onodeara Takuya and Tano Daisuke (2023), Nachisu wa Yoikoto mo Shita no ka (Verification: Did the Nazis also Do ‘Good Things’?), Iwanami-Booklet.
  • Okanishi Masanori (2022), Seibutsu wo Wakeru to Sekai ga Wakaru (Sorting Living Things to Understand the World), Kodansha Blue Backs.

Academic Year 2023

  • Yamaguchi, Shintaro (2019), Kazoku no Shiawase no Keizai-gaku (The Economics of “Family Happiness”: The Reality of Marriage, Childbirth, and Childrearing revealed by Data Analysis), Kobunsha Shinsho.
  • Tsukazaki, Asako (2018), Sekai wo Sukutta Nihon no Kusuri (Japanese Medicine Saved the World), Kodansha Blue Backs.
  • Ito, Asei (2020), Dejitalka suru Shinkou-koku: Senshin-koku wo koeruka, Kanshi-syakai no toraika (Digitalizing Emerging Economies: Will They Surpass the Developed Countries or will the Surveillance Society), Chuko Shinsho.
  • Nakagawa, Takeshi (2017), Jinrui to Kiko no 10 man-nen -shi: Kako ni Nani ga Okitanoka (A 100,000-Year History of Humans and Climate: What Happened in the Past?), Kodansha Blue Backs.
  • Kawashima, Midori (2012), Kango no chikara (The Power of Nursing), Iwanami shinsho.

Academic Year 2022

  • Honda, Yuki (2021), Nippon tte donna kuni?, (What’s “Japan”?: Elucidating the Society with International Comparative Data), Chikuma Primer Shinsho.
  • Nashiki, Kaho (2022), Honto no leader no mitsukekata (How to Discover the True Leader), Iwanami Gendai Bunko.
  • Ooguri, Hiroshi (2021), Tankyu suru seishin (Spirit of Inquiry: Basic Science as a Vocation), Gentosha Bunko.