X9003101 Multicultural collaborative learning practices on regional issues

Hiroshima University Syllabus

Japanese

Academic Year 2026Year School/Graduate School The IDEC Institute

Lecture Code X9003101 Subject Classification Specialized Education

Subject Name 地域課題共修演習

Subject Name
（Katakana）

Subject Name in
English Multicultural collaborative learning practices on regional issues

Instructor LOU JIE

Instructor
(Katakana) ロウ　ジェ

Campus Higashi-Hiroshima Semester/Term 3rd-Year, Second Semester, 3Term

Days, Periods, and Classrooms (3T) Inte

Lesson Style Seminar Lesson Style
(More Details) Online (simultaneous interactive)

Credits 1.0 Class Hours/Week 　 Language of Instruction E : English

Course Level 1 : Undergraduate Introductory

Course Area（Area） 21 : Fundamental Competencies for Working Persons

Course Area（Discipline） 06 : Globalization/International cooperation studies

Eligible Students 3rd, 4th-year undergraduate students

Keywords Multicultural collaborative learning, experiential and inquiry based learning, problem solving, innovation, regional problems

Special Subject for Teacher Education 　 Special Subject 　

Class Status
within Educational
Program
(Applicable only to targeted subjects for undergraduate students)
Criterion referenced
Evaluation
(Applicable only to targeted subjects for undergraduate students)

Class Objectives
/Class Outline This course is offered primarily to those who have completed the course “Multicultural collaborative learning methodology on regional issues” in 2T as an opportunity to put your skillset into practice. You will work on a problem shared by a local stakeholder, like a SME (small and medium enterprise), under the framework of experiential and inquiry based learning. The entire workshop is conducted by teams with diverse cultural and academic backgrounds. Students are also expected to develop the multicultural collaboration mindset through the workshop.
This workshop will deal with a problem in real society and present solution ideas to the client for evaluation. Students are expected not only to follow the given workshop process for educational purposes, but also to come up with ideas that are practically meaningful and novel for a real challenge for which the client is seriously seeking solutions. Students will not only acquire multicultural collaborative learning methodology but also nurture entrepreneurial capabilities such as agile development through this course.

Class Schedule lesson1 Introduction to the problem and the client; Team building activity; Groupwork to digest the problem and relate yourselves to it
lesson2 Fieldwork to understand the problem; Q&A session with the client
lesson3 Idea creation workshop (1st cycle); Critical mentoring
lesson4 Idea creation workshop (2nd cycle)
lesson5 Interim presentation; Reflection workshop
lesson6 Idea creation workshop (3rd cycle); Prototyping
lesson7 Final presentation of solution ideas (Final exam)
lesson8 Poster session; Overall review workshoplesson10
lesson9
lesson10
lesson11
lesson12
lesson13
lesson14
lesson15

Text/Reference
Books,etc. No specific textbook. Reference materials will be shared in a class when necessary.

PC or AV used in
Class,etc. Microsoft Teams

(More Details)

Learning techniques to be incorporated Discussions, PBL (Problem-based Learning)/ TBL (Team-based Learning), Fieldwork / Survey, Project Learning

Suggestions on
Preparation and
Review This course is conducted in a workshop format and is based on real challenges faced by companies. Students will receive direct explanations from the companies, conduct research and analysis on the given issues, and ultimately develop proposals. During the research process, students are encouraged to use AI tools and other resources to gather and analyze both domestic and international case studies, and to consider how these may be applied to the company in question. Depending on the project, students may also produce deliverables such as websites, brochures, or posters.

This course corresponds to the practical (project-based) component of a program consisting of two courses: “Regional Collaborative Problem-Solving Methodology” and “Regional Collaborative Project-Based Practicum.” The methodology component is offered in a different term.

If you have already taken the methodology course, you are encouraged to apply what you learned there. In particular, if you have studied design thinking, it will be helpful to revisit its processes. However, real-world problem-solving is not limited to design thinking alone, and it is important to approach problems flexibly using a variety of methods.

On the other hand, it is not a problem if you have not taken the methodology course. No specific prior knowledge is required. However, since this course deals with business-related challenges, you are encouraged to familiarize yourself with basic business concepts and real-world cases. Having an awareness of how companies create value and make decisions will help you develop a deeper understanding.

Requirements This course differs from a standard lecture format and is conducted as a practicum in collaboration with companies. Instead of weekly sessions, the course is organized in an intensive format. The in-person sessions will mainly take place over two days: the first day and the final day.

On the first day, the company will present and explain its challenge, and students will begin their initial research, analysis, and discussions.

Between these two sessions, students (individually or in groups) will further develop and refine their proposals. During this period, the instructor will follow up on progress and provide feedback, including through online consultations.

On the final day, students will deliver their final presentations. Company representatives will usually attend the session and provide feedback from a practical, professional perspective. If possible, students are encouraged to present in person on campus; however, online participation is also acceptable if necessary.

The detailed schedule will be arranged with consideration for students’ availability. While efforts will be made to ensure that participation is manageable, please note that the course follows an intensive format rather than a regular weekly structure.

Grading Method The course grade consists of 40% continuous assessment and 60% final presentation.

The continuous assessment (40%) is based mainly on the initial presentation on the first day, as well as your overall participation in the course. Presentations may be done individually or in groups, depending on your preference.

During the course, there will be opportunities to share your ideas and progress. However, you will not be required to present unless you feel comfortable doing so. There are no strict rules regarding the number or format of presentations, and you are encouraged to participate at your own pace.

The final presentation (60%) may also be conducted individually or in groups, and the format is flexible. The presentation time will be adjusted depending on the number of students, but it is generally expected to be around 10 to 30 minutes.

This course is conducted in English, so presentations should be delivered in English. However, since company representatives will attend the final presentation and may not fully follow English presentations, it is important that your content is also conveyed in Japanese.

If you are able to use both English and Japanese, you are encouraged to present in both languages.

If you can only present in English, an interpreter will be arranged to ensure that your presentation is clearly communicated to the company representatives.

Please note that interpretation time is included within the total presentation time. The timing does not need to be strictly controlled, and flexibility will be allowed depending on the content.

Practical Experience

Summary of Practical Experience and Class Contents based on it

Message

Other This course allows both online and in-person participation. You may choose the format that best suits your schedule.

Please fill in the class improvement questionnaire which is carried out on all classes.
Instructors will reflect on your feedback and utilize the information for improving their teaching.

Academic Year	2026Year	School/Graduate School	The IDEC Institute
Lecture Code	X9003101	Subject Classification	Specialized Education
Subject Name	地域課題共修演習
Subject Name （Katakana）
Subject Name in English	Multicultural collaborative learning practices on regional issues
Instructor	LOU JIE
Instructor (Katakana)	ロウ　ジェ
Campus	Higashi-Hiroshima	Semester/Term	3rd-Year, Second Semester, 3Term
Days, Periods, and Classrooms	(3T) Inte
Lesson Style	Seminar	Lesson Style (More Details)	Online (simultaneous interactive)

Credits	1.0	Class Hours/Week		Language of Instruction	E : English
Course Level	1 : Undergraduate Introductory
Course Area（Area）	21 : Fundamental Competencies for Working Persons
Course Area（Discipline）	06 : Globalization/International cooperation studies
Eligible Students	3rd, 4th-year undergraduate students
Keywords	Multicultural collaborative learning, experiential and inquiry based learning, problem solving, innovation, regional problems
Special Subject for Teacher Education		Special Subject
Class Status within Educational Program (Applicable only to targeted subjects for undergraduate students)
Criterion referenced Evaluation (Applicable only to targeted subjects for undergraduate students)
Class Objectives /Class Outline	This course is offered primarily to those who have completed the course “Multicultural collaborative learning methodology on regional issues” in 2T as an opportunity to put your skillset into practice. You will work on a problem shared by a local stakeholder, like a SME (small and medium enterprise), under the framework of experiential and inquiry based learning. The entire workshop is conducted by teams with diverse cultural and academic backgrounds. Students are also expected to develop the multicultural collaboration mindset through the workshop. This workshop will deal with a problem in real society and present solution ideas to the client for evaluation. Students are expected not only to follow the given workshop process for educational purposes, but also to come up with ideas that are practically meaningful and novel for a real challenge for which the client is seriously seeking solutions. Students will not only acquire multicultural collaborative learning methodology but also nurture entrepreneurial capabilities such as agile development through this course.
Class Schedule	lesson1 Introduction to the problem and the client; Team building activity; Groupwork to digest the problem and relate yourselves to it lesson2 Fieldwork to understand the problem; Q&A session with the client lesson3 Idea creation workshop (1st cycle); Critical mentoring lesson4 Idea creation workshop (2nd cycle) lesson5 Interim presentation; Reflection workshop lesson6 Idea creation workshop (3rd cycle); Prototyping lesson7 Final presentation of solution ideas (Final exam) lesson8 Poster session; Overall review workshoplesson10 lesson9 lesson10 lesson11 lesson12 lesson13 lesson14 lesson15
Text/Reference Books,etc.	No specific textbook. Reference materials will be shared in a class when necessary.
PC or AV used in Class,etc.	Microsoft Teams
(More Details)
Learning techniques to be incorporated	Discussions, PBL (Problem-based Learning)/ TBL (Team-based Learning), Fieldwork / Survey, Project Learning
Suggestions on Preparation and Review	This course is conducted in a workshop format and is based on real challenges faced by companies. Students will receive direct explanations from the companies, conduct research and analysis on the given issues, and ultimately develop proposals. During the research process, students are encouraged to use AI tools and other resources to gather and analyze both domestic and international case studies, and to consider how these may be applied to the company in question. Depending on the project, students may also produce deliverables such as websites, brochures, or posters. This course corresponds to the practical (project-based) component of a program consisting of two courses: “Regional Collaborative Problem-Solving Methodology” and “Regional Collaborative Project-Based Practicum.” The methodology component is offered in a different term. If you have already taken the methodology course, you are encouraged to apply what you learned there. In particular, if you have studied design thinking, it will be helpful to revisit its processes. However, real-world problem-solving is not limited to design thinking alone, and it is important to approach problems flexibly using a variety of methods. On the other hand, it is not a problem if you have not taken the methodology course. No specific prior knowledge is required. However, since this course deals with business-related challenges, you are encouraged to familiarize yourself with basic business concepts and real-world cases. Having an awareness of how companies create value and make decisions will help you develop a deeper understanding.
Requirements	This course differs from a standard lecture format and is conducted as a practicum in collaboration with companies. Instead of weekly sessions, the course is organized in an intensive format. The in-person sessions will mainly take place over two days: the first day and the final day. On the first day, the company will present and explain its challenge, and students will begin their initial research, analysis, and discussions. Between these two sessions, students (individually or in groups) will further develop and refine their proposals. During this period, the instructor will follow up on progress and provide feedback, including through online consultations. On the final day, students will deliver their final presentations. Company representatives will usually attend the session and provide feedback from a practical, professional perspective. If possible, students are encouraged to present in person on campus; however, online participation is also acceptable if necessary. The detailed schedule will be arranged with consideration for students’ availability. While efforts will be made to ensure that participation is manageable, please note that the course follows an intensive format rather than a regular weekly structure.
Grading Method	The course grade consists of 40% continuous assessment and 60% final presentation. The continuous assessment (40%) is based mainly on the initial presentation on the first day, as well as your overall participation in the course. Presentations may be done individually or in groups, depending on your preference. During the course, there will be opportunities to share your ideas and progress. However, you will not be required to present unless you feel comfortable doing so. There are no strict rules regarding the number or format of presentations, and you are encouraged to participate at your own pace. The final presentation (60%) may also be conducted individually or in groups, and the format is flexible. The presentation time will be adjusted depending on the number of students, but it is generally expected to be around 10 to 30 minutes. This course is conducted in English, so presentations should be delivered in English. However, since company representatives will attend the final presentation and may not fully follow English presentations, it is important that your content is also conveyed in Japanese. If you are able to use both English and Japanese, you are encouraged to present in both languages. If you can only present in English, an interpreter will be arranged to ensure that your presentation is clearly communicated to the company representatives. Please note that interpretation time is included within the total presentation time. The timing does not need to be strictly controlled, and flexibility will be allowed depending on the content.
Practical Experience
Summary of Practical Experience and Class Contents based on it
Message
Other	This course allows both online and in-person participation. You may choose the format that best suits your schedule.
Please fill in the class improvement questionnaire which is carried out on all classes. Instructors will reflect on your feedback and utilize the information for improving their teaching.

Back to syllabus main page