WI101700 Science and Technology in Society

Hiroshima University Syllabus

Japanese

Academic Year 2026Year School/Graduate School Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life (Master's Course)

Lecture Code WI101700 Subject Classification Specialized Education

Subject Name 社会の中の科学技術

Subject Name
（Katakana）シャカイノナカノカガクギジュツ

Subject Name in
English Science and Technology in Society

Instructor SAWAI TSUTOMU,NOCHI REI,NAKAZAWA SATOSHI,OKAMOTO SHIMPEI,YOSHIOKA YUHEI

Instructor
(Katakana) サワイ　ツトム,ノウチ　レイ,ナカザワ　サトシ,オカモト　シンペイ,ヨシオカ　ユウヘイ

Campus Higashi-Hiroshima Semester/Term 2nd-Year, First Semester, 1Term

Days, Periods, and Classrooms (1T) Fri11-12：Online

Lesson Style Lecture Lesson Style
(More Details) Online (on-demand)

Credits 1.0 Class Hours/Week 2 Language of Instruction J : Japanese

Course Level 5 : Graduate Basic

Course Area（Area） 23 : Arts and Humanities

Course Area（Discipline） 02 : Ethics

Eligible Students

Keywords

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 The recent rapid advancements in the life sciences have introduced many innovative technologies with applications in agriculture, fisheries/livestock production, and medicine. While these advancements offer significant benefits, they also present complex challenges, serving as double-edged swords with the potential to drastically alter the future for better or worse. This course aims to explore the multifaceted impacts of life science technologies by examining their ethical, legal, and social implications from the perspectives of philosophy, ethics, history, and culture. Students will engage in critical thinking about the role of science and technology in society and learn to articulate their positions on these issues, regardless of their field of study.

Class Schedule lesson1: Life Sciences and Bioethics
Examination of genome editing's ethical issues and the state of national and international debates.
lesson2: Life Sciences and Research Ethics/Research Integrity
Examination of the code of conduct and social responsibilities of researchers, emphasizing research ethics and integrity.
lesson3: Life Sciences and Bioethics
Examination of the relationship between life sciences and normative ethics.
lesson4: Life Sciences and Bioethics
Exploration of ethical issues concerning informed consent in the life sciences.
lesson5: Science, Technology and Privacy
Exploration of ethical issues concerning privacy in science and technology.
lesson6: Pollution Exports and Carbon Neutral Pollutions
Analysis of ethical issues of the export of pollution and rare earth elements (or simply rare earths).
lesson7: Future of Life Sciences and Food Ethics
Consideration of ethical issues regarding human-pig chimeras or artificial meat.
lesson8: Science, Technology and Public Engagement
Overview of Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) in the development of emerging technologies.
lesson9
lesson10
lesson11
lesson12
lesson13
lesson14
lesson15

Grades will be based on the average of a post-class report for each class.

Text/Reference
Books,etc. N/A

PC or AV used in
Class,etc. Handouts, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, moodle

(More Details)

Learning techniques to be incorporated Discussions, Post-class Report

Suggestions on
Preparation and
Review Please read the handouts distributed in advance.

Requirements

Grading Method - Grades will be assigned based on the average score of 8 short reports.
- The short report should be approximately 500 words.
- Submit each report on the weekend of the lecture (before the end of Sunday).
- The use of generative AI in short reports is not strictly prohibited. However, if used, students must attach a supplementary explanation (300 Japanese characters) in addition to the report itself. This explanation should summarize how the AI was used (e.g., drafting, refining expressions), which parts of the AI output were not used as-is and why, and the content the student thought independently. The content of this explanation will be included in the evaluation.

Practical Experience

Summary of Practical Experience and Class Contents based on it

Message

Other

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	Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life (Master's Course)
Lecture Code	WI101700	Subject Classification	Specialized Education
Subject Name	社会の中の科学技術
Subject Name （Katakana）	シャカイノナカノカガクギジュツ
Subject Name in English	Science and Technology in Society
Instructor	SAWAI TSUTOMU,NOCHI REI,NAKAZAWA SATOSHI,OKAMOTO SHIMPEI,YOSHIOKA YUHEI
Instructor (Katakana)	サワイ　ツトム,ノウチ　レイ,ナカザワ　サトシ,オカモト　シンペイ,ヨシオカ　ユウヘイ
Campus	Higashi-Hiroshima	Semester/Term	2nd-Year, First Semester, 1Term
Days, Periods, and Classrooms	(1T) Fri11-12：Online
Lesson Style	Lecture	Lesson Style (More Details)	Online (on-demand)

Credits	1.0	Class Hours/Week	2	Language of Instruction	J : Japanese
Course Level	5 : Graduate Basic
Course Area（Area）	23 : Arts and Humanities
Course Area（Discipline）	02 : Ethics
Eligible Students
Keywords
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	The recent rapid advancements in the life sciences have introduced many innovative technologies with applications in agriculture, fisheries/livestock production, and medicine. While these advancements offer significant benefits, they also present complex challenges, serving as double-edged swords with the potential to drastically alter the future for better or worse. This course aims to explore the multifaceted impacts of life science technologies by examining their ethical, legal, and social implications from the perspectives of philosophy, ethics, history, and culture. Students will engage in critical thinking about the role of science and technology in society and learn to articulate their positions on these issues, regardless of their field of study.
Class Schedule	lesson1: Life Sciences and Bioethics Examination of genome editing's ethical issues and the state of national and international debates. lesson2: Life Sciences and Research Ethics/Research Integrity Examination of the code of conduct and social responsibilities of researchers, emphasizing research ethics and integrity. lesson3: Life Sciences and Bioethics Examination of the relationship between life sciences and normative ethics. lesson4: Life Sciences and Bioethics Exploration of ethical issues concerning informed consent in the life sciences. lesson5: Science, Technology and Privacy Exploration of ethical issues concerning privacy in science and technology. lesson6: Pollution Exports and Carbon Neutral Pollutions Analysis of ethical issues of the export of pollution and rare earth elements (or simply rare earths). lesson7: Future of Life Sciences and Food Ethics Consideration of ethical issues regarding human-pig chimeras or artificial meat. lesson8: Science, Technology and Public Engagement Overview of Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) in the development of emerging technologies. lesson9 lesson10 lesson11 lesson12 lesson13 lesson14 lesson15 Grades will be based on the average of a post-class report for each class.
Text/Reference Books,etc.	N/A
PC or AV used in Class,etc.	Handouts, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, moodle
(More Details)
Learning techniques to be incorporated	Discussions, Post-class Report
Suggestions on Preparation and Review	Please read the handouts distributed in advance.
Requirements
Grading Method	- Grades will be assigned based on the average score of 8 short reports. - The short report should be approximately 500 words. - Submit each report on the weekend of the lecture (before the end of Sunday). - The use of generative AI in short reports is not strictly prohibited. However, if used, students must attach a supplementary explanation (300 Japanese characters) in addition to the report itself. This explanation should summarize how the AI was used (e.g., drafting, refining expressions), which parts of the AI output were not used as-is and why, and the content the student thought independently. The content of this explanation will be included in the evaluation.
Practical Experience
Summary of Practical Experience and Class Contents based on it
Message
Other
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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