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2016　Science and Technology for Society C

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Academic unit or major
Humanities and social science courses
Instructor(s)
Shirabe Masashi 
Class Format
Lecture     
Media-enhanced courses
Day/Period(Room No.)
Mon3-4(H111)  Thr3-4(H111)  
Group
-
Course number
LAH.T304
Credits
2
Academic year
2016
Offered quarter
2Q
Syllabus updated
2017/1/11
Lecture notes updated
-
Language used
Japanese
Access Index

Course description and aims

This course trains students to apply critical thinking to issues of science, technology and society (STS). To that end, complex topics requiring comprehension from many angles will be selected. One class will be a lecture outlining the topic, and the next class will consist of a discussion among the students.
The aims of this course are for students to:
(1) be able to express views critical of science in a logical manner and
(2) experience and learn from using the technique of critical thinking.

Student learning outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
(1) Consider problems involving science and technology, and society from multiple points of view, including those different from their own.
(2) Learn and utilize the basic methods necessary for critical thinking.

Keywords

critical thinking; meta thinking

Competencies that will be developed

Specialist skills ✔ Intercultural skills ✔ Communication skills Critical thinking skills ✔ Practical and/or problem-solving skills

Class flow

A set of two classes are set aside for each topic: a lecture and a discussion among students.

Course schedule/Required learning

  Course schedule Required learning
Class 1 Introduction
Class 2 GMO １ To understand how to identify points of argument
Class 3 GMO ２ To understand how to identify points of argument
Class 4 Implementation of outcomes of neuroscience 1 To understand sensible discussion
Class 5 Implementation of outcomes of neuroscience 2 To understand sensible discussion
Class 6 Smoking should be prohibited or not? 1 To point out tacit assumptions
Class 7 Smoking should be prohibited or not? 2 To interpret statistical data
Class 8 To promote breast cancer screening or not? 1 To visualize points of contention
Class 9 To promote breast cancer screening or not? 2 To visualize points of contention
Class 10 How can we tackle global warming? １ To think critically on meta-science
Class 11 How can we tackle global warming? 2 To think critically on meta-science
Class 12 Can we justify public investments to space science and exploration ? 1 To understand "framing"
Class 13 Can we justify public investments to space science and exploration ? 2 To understand "framing"
Class 14 Animal experiments 1 To understand reasoning based on the assumption
Class 15 Animal experiments 2 To understand reasoning based on the assumption

Textbook(s)

Tetsuji Iseda et al. (eds.), Thinking critically on science, technology and society, Nagoya University Press (in Japanese)

Reference books, course materials, etc.

Hand out materials as needed.

Assessment criteria and methods

Submission of assignments on each topic and participation in class discussion (100%)

Related courses

  • LAH.T104 ： Science and Technology for Society A
  • LAH.T205 ： Science and Technology for Society B

Prerequisites (i.e., required knowledge, skills, courses, etc.)

None.

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