The goal of this course is to cultivate the attitude to share the values which should be held paramount by the scientists and engineers, through the understanding of the effects and impacts of science and technology on human society and on the natural environment. This course also presents that "ethical" scientists and engineers can contribute to the well-being of the public as well as maintain and raise their own well-being. Furthermore, it is expected to understand how to behave in an organization as ethical scientists/engineers through the analysis of concrete cases. The responsible conduct of research and development is also an important component of this course.
In addition to the above objectives, in this junior-senior level course, it is expected that the students demonstrate their ability to examine and analyze concrete cases of science and engineering ethics and to present the results of their analysis.
By successfully completing this course, students will be able to
1) understand and explain the positive and negative impacts of science and engineering on human society and on the natural environment;
2) understand and explain the importance of aspirational ethics in addition to that of preventive ethics;
3) understand the values which scientists and engineers should hold paramount and develop an attitude to share those values; and,
4) understand the characteristics of responsible conduct of research and share the values for researchers.
Science, Technology and Society, Scientists, Engineers, Ethics, Research Ethics, Preventive Ethics, Aspirational Ethics, Responsible Conduct of Research
Specialist skills | ✔ Intercultural skills | ✔ Communication skills | ✔ Critical thinking skills | ✔ Practical and/or problem-solving skills |
The course is designed with the active-learning approach. Therefore, in addition to the acquisition and understanding information on science and engineering through lectures, students are expected to participate actively in writing reports and working as a group. It is essentially important for students to attend all the classes.
Course schedule | Required learning | |
---|---|---|
Class 1 | Introduction | Read and summarize the assigned reading materials. |
Class 2 | What is ethics? | Read and summarize the assigned reading materials. |
Class 3 | What is research ethics? | Read and summarize Section I of the textbook. |
Class 4 | on responsible conduct of research | Read and summarize Section II of the textbook. |
Class 5 | on planning research | Read and summarize Section III of the textbook. |
Class 6 | on conducting research | Read and summarize Section IV of the textbook. |
Class 7 | on publishing research results | Read and summarize Section V of the textbook. |
Class 8 | on collaboration | Read and summarize Section VI of the textbook. |
Class 9 | on using research funding | Read and summarize Section VII of the textbook. |
Class 10 | on contributing to raising the quality of scientific research | Read and summarize Section VIII of the textbook. |
Class 11 | for the development of society | Read and summarize the assigned reading materials. |
Class 12 | practicing research ethics (1) | Read and summarize the assigned reading materials. |
Class 13 | practicing research ethics (2) | e-learning教材「The lab」を視聴し、できごとをまとめる。 |
Class 14 | wrap up | Prepare for writing up the term report. |
To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.
Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Editing Committee, 'For the Sound Development of Science', 'For the Sound Development of Science - The Attitude of a Conscientious Scientist -', Maruzen, 2015.
To be announced in the first class
Class attendance is the prerequisite for assessment. Assignments (60%) and term report (40%).
No prerequisite.