＜概要/Course Content Summary＞
The natural ecosystems and their vital services are under increasing pressure from various anthropogenic sources such as pollution, poor waste management, intensive agriculture and the burning of fossil fuels. Because we all depend on nature for our food, air, water, energy and raw materials, maintaining the integrity of our environment and ensuring the functioning of the ecosystem are of grave importance.
Environmental issues that are drawing much attention today are global problems that require solutions at the international or the national level. However, equally important, or perhaps more important, is the problems being experienced at the sub-national or local-level, since people who live in the immediate environment face the greatest exposure to the environmental risks and problems.
This course examines various environmental issues occurring within Japan, with a focus on problems and solutions being put forward at the sub-national or local level.
The class will involve the following:
--Every class--
(1) Lecture based on slides (Powerpoint) and audio-visual material.
--Periodic--
(2) Mini-quizzes to ensure that students have understood the contents of the previous class and have completed the assignments (see below).
--Twice during the semester--
(3) Oral presentation (preparatory work may require group work outside of class depending on the number of students)
--Assignment before each class--
(4) Reading material and/or audio-visual material
--Mid-term and final evaluations--
(5) Paper based (True/False questions, Multiple choice questions, Short-essay questions)
＜到達目標/Goals,Aims＞
The students will gain:
1) knowledge of fundamental concepts and values within environmental conservation.
2) an enhanced recognition of the complexities of environmental conservation
3) knowledge of the main threats to the environment and the ability to evaluate the effects of human influences.
4) an enhanced understand of the relationships and conflicts between social development and conservation of ecosystems in Japan.
＜授業計画/Schedule＞
（実施回/
Week）
|
（内容/
Contents）
|
（授業時間外の学習/
Assignments）
|
|
（実施回/ Week）
1
|
（内容/ Contents）
Introduction: Maintaining the Integrity of Our Environment
|
（授業時間外の学習/ Assignments）
Reading and/or Visual Material
|
|
（実施回/ Week）
2
|
（内容/ Contents）
Preserving the Natural Scenery: National Parks in Japan (1)
|
（授業時間外の学習/ Assignments）
Reading and/or Visual Material
|
|
（実施回/ Week）
3
|
（内容/ Contents）
Preserving the Natural Scenery: National Parks in Japan (2)
|
（授業時間外の学習/ Assignments）
Reading and/or Visual Material
|
|
（実施回/ Week）
4
|
（内容/ Contents）
(Student Oral Presentations: National Parks and World Heritage Sites in Japan)
|
（授業時間外の学習/ Assignments）
Preparing for the oral presentation
|
|
（実施回/ Week）
5
|
（内容/ Contents）
Enjoying the Benefits of Nature: Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (1)
|
（授業時間外の学習/ Assignments）
Reading and/or Visual Material
|
|
（実施回/ Week）
6
|
（内容/ Contents）
Enjoying the Benefits of Nature: Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (2)
|
（授業時間外の学習/ Assignments）
Reading and/or Visual Material
|
|
（実施回/ Week）
7
|
（内容/ Contents）
(Mid-term Evaluation)
|
（授業時間外の学習/ Assignments）
Preparing for Mid-term Evaluation
|
|
（実施回/ Week）
8
|
（内容/ Contents）
Ecosystem Disasters: Pollution Problems in Japan (1)
|
（授業時間外の学習/ Assignments）
Reading and/or Visual Material
|
|
（実施回/ Week）
9
|
（内容/ Contents）
Ecosystem Disasters: Pollution Problems in Japan (2)
|
（授業時間外の学習/ Assignments）
Reading and/or Visual Material
|
|
（実施回/ Week）
10
|
（内容/ Contents）
The Satoyama Initiative: Restoring the Environment (1)
|
（授業時間外の学習/ Assignments）
Reading and/or Visual Material
|
|
（実施回/ Week）
11
|
（内容/ Contents）
The Satoyama Initiative: Restoring the Environment (2)
|
（授業時間外の学習/ Assignments）
Reading and/or Visual Material
|
|
（実施回/ Week）
12
|
（内容/ Contents）
Coexisting with Nature: Long Term Perspectives
|
（授業時間外の学習/ Assignments）
Reading and/or Visual Material
|
|
（実施回/ Week）
13
|
（内容/ Contents）
(Student Oral Presentations: Case studies)
|
（授業時間外の学習/ Assignments）
Preparing for the oral presentation
|
|
（実施回/ Week）
14
|
（内容/ Contents）
(Student Oral Presentations: Case studies)
|
（授業時間外の学習/ Assignments）
Preparing for the oral presentation
|
|
（実施回/ Week）
15
|
（内容/ Contents）
(Final Evaluation)
|
（授業時間外の学習/ Assignments）
Preparing for Final Evaluation
|
The course schedule may change depending on the progress and on the number of students.
＜成績評価基準/Evaluation Criteria＞
|
Oral presentation
|
30%
|
Present as instructed (Contents, Organization, Non-verbal skills, Oral skills, Visual, Participation in Team Presentations)
|
|
Mid-term Evaluation
|
25%
|
Answer Correctly (True/False Questions, Multiple Choice Questions, Short Essay Questions)
|
|
Final Evaluation
|
25%
|
Answer Correctly (True/False Questions, Multiple Choice Questions, Short Essay Questions)
|
|
Mini-quizzes
|
10%
|
Answer Correctly (True/False Questions, Multiple Choice Questions, Short Essay Questions)
|
|
Attendance and Participation
|
10%
|
Active Participation
|
＜テキスト/Textbook＞
|
Textbook is not assigned.
|
| |
＜参考文献/Reference Book＞
Required reading material will be distributed during class (also on e-class).
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