Course Description
How did living creatures evolve on Earth? In this seminar, we will explore the basic system that has created diversity through repeated speciation and
extinction over many years. We will then deepen our understanding of why biodiversity is so important by relating it to our human lives. Students will
learn about the factors that make the whole Japanese archipelago a “global hotspot” for biodiversity and learn that Shinshū is a particularly important
region within this archipelago.
The seminar also considers how we should confront biodiversity: Through various discussions, students will acquire an understanding of biodiversity
and scientific literacy. In the second half of the course, after learning effective presentation techniques, students will work in groups to examine topics
such as genetic and embryonic manipulation. They will then give presentations covering everything from defining a potential problem to proposing a
solution.
Keywords
natural science, life science, earth
science, biodiversity, evolution,
world view, human life,
conservation, natural
environment, spirit, genetic
manipulation, embryonic
manipulation, bioethics, SDGs,
Society 5.0
Course Plan
1. Introduction: What is biodiversity?
2. The origins of life and the mechanisms for generating biodiversity (the birth and extinction of species)
3. Japan and Shinshū as global hotspots for biodiversity
4. Issues related to human life and biodiversity (1)
5. Issues related to human life and biodiversity (2)
6. Issues related to human life and biodiversity (3)
7. Issues related to human life and biodiversity (4)
8. Issues related to human life and biodiversity (5)
9. Life science and human life
10. What is an effective presentation?
11. Group work (1)
12. Group work (2)
13. Group work (3)
14. Presentation (1)
15. Presentation (2); general summary; class questionnaire
* About two-thirds of the sessions (at least 10) will involve group work and report work in an interactive format. (This may vary depending on the number of students in
the seminar.)
