ARS72201 Global Environmental Issues from Scientific and Social Perspectives I

Hiroshima University Syllabus

Japanese

Academic Year 2025Year School/Graduate School School of Integrated Arts and Sciences Department of Integrated Global Studies

Lecture Code ARS72201 Subject Classification Specialized Education

Subject Name Global Environmental Issues from Scientific and Social Perspectives I (科学と社会からみた地球環境問題 I)

Subject Name
（Katakana）カガクトシャカイカラミタチキュウカンキョウモンダイ I

Subject Name in
English Global Environmental Issues from Scientific and Social Perspectives I

Instructor YAMADA TOSHIHIRO

Instructor
(Katakana) ヤマダ　トシヒロ

Campus Higashi-Hiroshima Semester/Term 2nd-Year,  First Semester,  2Term

Days, Periods, and Classrooms (2T) Mon5-6：IAS K208

Lesson Style Lecture Lesson Style
(More Details) Face-to-face, Online (simultaneous interactive)

Lectures，Discussions，Presentations, Fieldwork
In class first, but the COVID-19 situation would not allow me to do it. In that case, I will do on line class.

Credits 1.0 Class Hours/Week 2 Language of Instruction E : English

Course Level 2 : Undergraduate Low-Intermediate

Course Area（Area） 25 : Science and Technology

Course Area（Discipline） 03 : Natural Environment

Eligible Students

Keywords Natural environment, environmental biology, conservation biology, biological diversity, environmental ethics

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) Integrated Global Studies
（Knowledge and Understanding）
・The knowledge and understanding to fully recognize the
mutual relations and their importance among individual
academic disciplines.
（Abilities and Skills）
・The ability to specify necessary theories and methods for the consideration of important issues.
（Comprehensive Abilities）
・The ability to conduct research proactively by combining knowledge,  understanding, and skills for the tasks, based on flexible creativity and imagination.

Class Objectives
/Class Outline To obtain basic knowledge and skills of environmental science

Class Schedule lesson1 Introduction　and guidance

Why people destroy environments that are essential to survive?

Can (natural and/or social) sciences solve global environmental issues?

lesson2 The tragedy of the commons.

Keywords: population growth/Adam Smith/invisible hand/commons/Elinor Ostrom

Which of Chimp and human has higher level of diversity!?

lesson3 Biodiversity
Biodiversity is a hierarchical concept of three layers. You need to use this concept when discussing “biodiversity.”

Keywords: genetic diversity/species diversity/ecosystem diversity/species richness/forecasting/back casting/sustainable development/sustainable environment/human-centric/non-human-centric

lesson4 Species?
Species diversity is the central concept of biodiversity. But what is "species"?
Can you define "species”?
Sometimes, biologists think that species is delusion.
Do you know the “biological concept of a species”? Do you still believe in the old-fashioned “biological concept of a species”? I will introduce the new concept of species after the “biological concept of a species.”

Keywords: biological concept of species/ring species/phylogenic concept of species/morphological concept of species/micro-satellite DNA/coalescent analysis

lesson5 How many species are there? How diverse a world we are living in!
We have discovered 1.2 million species since Linnaeus established his taxonomy. But we also discover 6000 new species every year. How many species are still awaiting our discovery?

Keywords: Linnaeus/new species

lesson6 Why are organisms so diverse? Patterns of diversity.
Also, we will learn biodiversity hot spot.

lesson7　The sixth mass extinction. Are we guilty?
Do you know that we live in a world amid the sixth mass extinction? A tremendous number of species are vanishing forever…… Do we need to conserve them?
No!? Because extinction is a natural process? Should we leave them to go extinct?
No!? Just follow the law of the jungle?
Can we take up this idea? In class, I will also introduce “social Darwinism,” the dark history of biology.

Keywords: mass extinction/big 5/ICU/Darwinism/social Darwinism/the law of the jungle

lesson8  What can you do for biodiversity in daily life? Nothing? You have great power! You can change the world!

We are consumers. We buy a lot of products and spend a lot of money. Companies love us because we buy their products. If we only bought products that were friendly to the environment (biodiversity), companies would have no choice but to sell only products that are friendly to the environment (biodiversity). In this way, we can change the world!

Keywords: eco label/ forest stewardship council/rainforest alliance/CoC (Chain of Custody) certification

lesson9  Biodiversity—A chance or a risk for company?
Some companies think biodiversity is a business opportunity, while others think biodiversity is risk. How can biodiversity be either a business opportunity or a business risk?
I also introduce the idea of the supply chain and CSR.

Keywords: CSR/supply chain

lesson10 Summary of the course

Homework is mondetary. Class is on the homework. You would expect you cannot understand the class if you donot do homework.

Text/Reference
Books,etc. The course does not use a specific textbook. You will receive handouts.
BUT BUT BUT
Japanese readable students, 「正義の生物学（講談社）」 covers a series of classes in GEISS. I highly recommend you reading this book. It takes you to the higher level of understanding.

PC or AV used in
Class,etc. Text, Handouts, Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Stream, Microsoft Forms

(More Details) PC! PC! PC!
You must bring your PC even in a face to face class. You need it to answer my questions.

Learning techniques to be incorporated Discussions, Quizzes/ Quiz format, Role Play

Suggestions on
Preparation and
Review Lesson 1 Check all the keywords. You need to be able to explain them by yourself before the class.
Lesson 2 Check all the keywords. You need to be able to explain them by yourself before the class.
READ the article "The Tragedy of the Commons" download at
https://science.sciencemag.org/content/162/3859/1243
日本人学生：高校倫理の教科書で”共有地の悲劇”がどのように紹介されているか調べろ！

Lesson 3 Check all the keywords. You need to be able to explain them by yourself before the class.
READ the article "LIFEBOAT ETHICS" download at
http://web.ntpu.edu.tw/~language/course/research/lifeboat.pdf

Lesson 4 Check all the keywords. You need to be able to explain them by yourself before the class.

Lesson 5 Check all the keywords. You need to be able to explain them by yourself before the class.
Check how biological concept of species, phylogenic concept of species, and morphological concept of species are defined (perhaps you can see it “Campbell Biology”.
Check the structure and function of DNA.
Check what micro-satellite DNA are.

Lesson6
Check all the keywords. You need to be able to explain them by yourself before the class.
Count how many species are there on the earth by checking a book (any book is OK but note the book title)!

Lesson8
Check all the keywords. You need to be able to explain them by yourself before the class.
Count how many species are at the risk of extinction!

Lesson9
Check all the keywords. You need to be able to explain them by yourself before the class.
Go to the supermarket or co-op to find products with an eco-label.

Lesson9
Check all the keywords. You need to be able to explain them by yourself before the class.

Lesso10
Check all the keywords. You need to be able to explain them by yourself before the class.

-　A TA will answer students’ questions
-　A TA will support groupwork, if necessary in Japanese
-  A TA will support students’ preparation for presentations
-  Class material will be distributed to students through Bb9 etc. so they can check vocabulary or use translation software beforehand.
-　A vocabulary list of keywords will be provided.

Requirements It is necessary to take both  Global Environmental Issues from the Social and Scientific Perspectives I and Global Environmental Issues from the Social and Scientific PerspectivesⅡ .

Grading Method Final exam, homework check, attitude toward the class and assignments, test after the class are used for grading.

Practical Experience

Summary of Practical Experience and Class Contents based on it

Message 2022年1月1日放送のNHKスペシャル「パーフェクト・プラネット ~生命あふれる“奇跡の惑星”~」に出演した教員が担当します。

Bring your PC.
PC! PC! PC!
You must bring your PC even in a face to face class. You need it to answer my questions.

Other Japanese readable students, 「正義の生物学（講談社）」 covers a series of classes in GEISS. I highly recommend you reading this book. It takes you to the higher level of understanding.

You must register Global Environmental Issues from the Social and Scientific Perspectives II (社会と科学からみた地球環境問題 II).

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	2025Year	School/Graduate School	School of Integrated Arts and Sciences Department of Integrated Global Studies
Lecture Code	ARS72201	Subject Classification	Specialized Education
Subject Name	Global Environmental Issues from Scientific and Social Perspectives I (科学と社会からみた地球環境問題 I)
Subject Name （Katakana）	カガクトシャカイカラミタチキュウカンキョウモンダイ I
Subject Name in English	Global Environmental Issues from Scientific and Social Perspectives I
Instructor	YAMADA TOSHIHIRO
Instructor (Katakana)	ヤマダ　トシヒロ
Campus	Higashi-Hiroshima	Semester/Term	2nd-Year, First Semester, 2Term
Days, Periods, and Classrooms	(2T) Mon5-6：IAS K208
Lesson Style	Lecture	Lesson Style (More Details)	Face-to-face, Online (simultaneous interactive)
Lectures，Discussions，Presentations, Fieldwork In class first, but the COVID-19 situation would not allow me to do it. In that case, I will do on line class.
Credits	1.0	Class Hours/Week	2	Language of Instruction	E : English
Course Level	2 : Undergraduate Low-Intermediate
Course Area（Area）	25 : Science and Technology
Course Area（Discipline）	03 : Natural Environment
Eligible Students
Keywords	Natural environment, environmental biology, conservation biology, biological diversity, environmental ethics
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)	Integrated Global Studies （Knowledge and Understanding）・The knowledge and understanding to fully recognize the mutual relations and their importance among individual academic disciplines. （Abilities and Skills）・The ability to specify necessary theories and methods for the consideration of important issues. （Comprehensive Abilities）・The ability to conduct research proactively by combining knowledge, understanding, and skills for the tasks, based on flexible creativity and imagination.
Class Objectives /Class Outline	To obtain basic knowledge and skills of environmental science
Class Schedule	lesson1 Introduction　and guidance Why people destroy environments that are essential to survive? Can (natural and/or social) sciences solve global environmental issues? lesson2 The tragedy of the commons. Keywords: population growth/Adam Smith/invisible hand/commons/Elinor Ostrom Which of Chimp and human has higher level of diversity!? lesson3 Biodiversity Biodiversity is a hierarchical concept of three layers. You need to use this concept when discussing “biodiversity.” Keywords: genetic diversity/species diversity/ecosystem diversity/species richness/forecasting/back casting/sustainable development/sustainable environment/human-centric/non-human-centric lesson4 Species? Species diversity is the central concept of biodiversity. But what is "species"? Can you define "species”? Sometimes, biologists think that species is delusion. Do you know the “biological concept of a species”? Do you still believe in the old-fashioned “biological concept of a species”? I will introduce the new concept of species after the “biological concept of a species.” Keywords: biological concept of species/ring species/phylogenic concept of species/morphological concept of species/micro-satellite DNA/coalescent analysis lesson5 How many species are there? How diverse a world we are living in! We have discovered 1.2 million species since Linnaeus established his taxonomy. But we also discover 6000 new species every year. How many species are still awaiting our discovery? Keywords: Linnaeus/new species lesson6 Why are organisms so diverse? Patterns of diversity. Also, we will learn biodiversity hot spot. lesson7　The sixth mass extinction. Are we guilty? Do you know that we live in a world amid the sixth mass extinction? A tremendous number of species are vanishing forever…… Do we need to conserve them? No!? Because extinction is a natural process? Should we leave them to go extinct? No!? Just follow the law of the jungle? Can we take up this idea? In class, I will also introduce “social Darwinism,” the dark history of biology. Keywords: mass extinction/big 5/ICU/Darwinism/social Darwinism/the law of the jungle lesson8 What can you do for biodiversity in daily life? Nothing? You have great power! You can change the world! We are consumers. We buy a lot of products and spend a lot of money. Companies love us because we buy their products. If we only bought products that were friendly to the environment (biodiversity), companies would have no choice but to sell only products that are friendly to the environment (biodiversity). In this way, we can change the world! Keywords: eco label/ forest stewardship council/rainforest alliance/CoC (Chain of Custody) certification lesson9 Biodiversity—A chance or a risk for company? Some companies think biodiversity is a business opportunity, while others think biodiversity is risk. How can biodiversity be either a business opportunity or a business risk? I also introduce the idea of the supply chain and CSR. Keywords: CSR/supply chain lesson10 Summary of the course Homework is mondetary. Class is on the homework. You would expect you cannot understand the class if you donot do homework.
Text/Reference Books,etc.	The course does not use a specific textbook. You will receive handouts. BUT BUT BUT Japanese readable students, 「正義の生物学（講談社）」 covers a series of classes in GEISS. I highly recommend you reading this book. It takes you to the higher level of understanding.
PC or AV used in Class,etc.	Text, Handouts, Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Stream, Microsoft Forms
(More Details)	PC! PC! PC! You must bring your PC even in a face to face class. You need it to answer my questions.
Learning techniques to be incorporated	Discussions, Quizzes/ Quiz format, Role Play
Suggestions on Preparation and Review	Lesson 1 Check all the keywords. You need to be able to explain them by yourself before the class. Lesson 2 Check all the keywords. You need to be able to explain them by yourself before the class. READ the article "The Tragedy of the Commons" download at https://science.sciencemag.org/content/162/3859/1243 日本人学生：高校倫理の教科書で”共有地の悲劇”がどのように紹介されているか調べろ！ Lesson 3 Check all the keywords. You need to be able to explain them by yourself before the class. READ the article "LIFEBOAT ETHICS" download at http://web.ntpu.edu.tw/~language/course/research/lifeboat.pdf Lesson 4 Check all the keywords. You need to be able to explain them by yourself before the class. Lesson 5 Check all the keywords. You need to be able to explain them by yourself before the class. Check how biological concept of species, phylogenic concept of species, and morphological concept of species are defined (perhaps you can see it “Campbell Biology”. Check the structure and function of DNA. Check what micro-satellite DNA are. Lesson6 Check all the keywords. You need to be able to explain them by yourself before the class. Count how many species are there on the earth by checking a book (any book is OK but note the book title)! Lesson8 Check all the keywords. You need to be able to explain them by yourself before the class. Count how many species are at the risk of extinction! Lesson9 Check all the keywords. You need to be able to explain them by yourself before the class. Go to the supermarket or co-op to find products with an eco-label. Lesson9 Check all the keywords. You need to be able to explain them by yourself before the class. Lesso10 Check all the keywords. You need to be able to explain them by yourself before the class. -　A TA will answer students’ questions -　A TA will support groupwork, if necessary in Japanese - A TA will support students’ preparation for presentations - Class material will be distributed to students through Bb9 etc. so they can check vocabulary or use translation software beforehand. -　A vocabulary list of keywords will be provided.
Requirements	It is necessary to take both Global Environmental Issues from the Social and Scientific Perspectives I and Global Environmental Issues from the Social and Scientific PerspectivesⅡ .
Grading Method	Final exam, homework check, attitude toward the class and assignments, test after the class are used for grading.
Practical Experience
Summary of Practical Experience and Class Contents based on it
Message	2022年1月1日放送のNHKスペシャル「パーフェクト・プラネット ~生命あふれる“奇跡の惑星”~」に出演した教員が担当します。 Bring your PC. PC! PC! PC! You must bring your PC even in a face to face class. You need it to answer my questions.
Other	Japanese readable students, 「正義の生物学（講談社）」 covers a series of classes in GEISS. I highly recommend you reading this book. It takes you to the higher level of understanding. You must register Global Environmental Issues from the Social and Scientific Perspectives II (社会と科学からみた地球環境問題 II).
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.

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