Course Overview

This course aims to develop and refine your academic skills that are imperative in analyzing legal, social, and ethical implications of environmental issues. You are asked to actively participate in discussing, presenting, critically reading and writing about these issues so that you will be fully prepared for your internationally competent career as an environmental scientist or leader. Our topics for discussion include (1) environmental leadership/ diplomacy; (2) eco-economy; (3) rights of nature; (4) climate change; (5) LMOs and ELSI; (6) biological diversity and ecological service; (7) global bioethics; (8) cultural diversity and indigenous knowledge; and (9) innovative approaches to environmental ethics. The examination of these wide-ranging topics will not only enrich your knowledge about environmental ethics but also enlarge your academic background as environmental science communicator.

Learning Achievement

This course aims to develop and refine your academic skills that are imperative in analyzing legal, social, and ethical implications of environmental issues. You are asked to actively participate in discussing, presenting, critically reading and writing about these issues so that you will be fully prepared for your internationally competent career as an environmental scientist or leader.

Competence

Discussion, writing, communication, analytical skill, problem solving

Course prerequisites

To be conducted in English throughout the course. No Japanese papers/presentations are accepted.

Grading Philosophy

Presentations 45%
Cross-Examination 28%
Moderation/extra effort 27%
Participation Extra 15%
*More than 70% of your attendance is mandatory to be qualified for credit.

Course schedule

Our topics for discussion include (1) environmental leadership/diplomacy, (2) eco-economy, (3) rights of nature, (4) climate change, (5) biological diversity and ecological service, (6) cultural diversity and indigenous knowledge, (7) innovative approaches to environmental ethics, and (8) the ethics of food and agriculture. The examination of these wide-ranging topics will not only enrich your knowledge about environmental ethics but also enlarge your academic background and capacity as environmental science communicator.

Course type

Lectures

Online Course Requirement

Instructor

Matsui Kenichi

Other information

Active participation is encouraged.

Site for Inquiry

Link to the syllabus provided by the university