Course Name Year Term Period Faculty / Graduate School All Instructors Credits
15926:IR18‐AE104 Introduction to Natural Science (RB) § 15927:IR-AS107 Introduction to Natural Sciences (RB) § 15928:Introduction to Natural Science (RB) § 15929:RUIR-1802 Introduction to Natural Science(RB) 2024 Fall Tue1 College　Of　Law,College　Of　Economics,College　Of　Business　Administration,College　Of　Social　Sciences,College　Of　International　Relations,College　Of　Policy　Science,College　Of　Letters,College　of　Image　Arts　and　Sciences,College　of　Information　Science　and　Engineering,College　of　Sport　and　Health　Science　(tentative　name) KADOWAKI KOMEI 2

Campus

KIC

Class Venue

KOSHINKAN　KS201

Language

English

Course Outline and Method

This course deals with basic theories and major findings in particular fields of natural sciences and analyses their relation to human society and culture as well as approaches to global issues that the international society has faced. Teaching methodologies employed include hands-on exercises, lecture and discussion. Students taking this course will be able to understand human society and culture, global issues from the viewpoint of environmental science. This course will use both/either formative and/or summative evaluation.

Student Attainment Objectives

Students who complete this course will be able to:
 1. understand basic theories and major findings in natural sciences
 2. understand relations between findings of natural sciences and global issues

Recommended Preparatory Course

Course Schedule

Lecture/Instructor（When there are multiple instructors) Theme
Keyword, References and Supplementary Information
１

Guidance (hybrid style)

Introduction of the course
Icebreaking activity

２

Diversity of plants

Study tree species on the campus and investigate taxonomy, morphology and ecology

３

Growing herb/vegetable species in pot: Long-term experiment

Grow one herbaceous plant species from seed in a pot and monitor the growth every week

４

Diversity of insects and spiders

Study arthropod (insect and spider) species on the campus and investigate taxonomy, morphology and ecology

５

Mushroom hunting

Study mushroom species (fungi) on the campus and investigate taxonomy, morphology and ecology

６

Dissection of fish: dissecting fish, shrimp, squid etc at home

Dissect two species of marine organisms bought from the supermarket
Study anatomy (observing internal organs, skeletons, etc)
Note) an alternative assignment will be considered for vegetarian students who are not able to touch fish

７

Dissection of fish: Essay writing

Write an essay based on fish dissection work

８

Ecological understanding of nature

Study how ecological thinking provides insights into how nature works, including some basic theories of biodiversity and ecosystem

９

Water scarcity: Estimating virtual water footprint

Calculate virtual water footprint based on breakfast, lunch and dinner menu
 

10

Overfishing: understanding the tragedy of the commons

Study why and when the tragedy of the commons occurs using overfishing as an example

11

Climate change: understanding the feedback concept

Studying examples of positive/negative feedback

12

Growing herb/vegetable species in pot: Essay writing

Analyze the growth of plant since week 3 and write an essay about how the plant grew during the period

13

Preparation day

Students work on preparing for oral presentation
Bird song and animal foot print quiz

14

Oral presentation day1

Presentation by students via Zoom

15

Oral presentation day2

Presentation by students via Zoom

Class Format

The class Format for each class will be announced on manaba+R’s course news. Also, the class format for the first class will be notified on manaba+R’s course news before the first class(*).
For “Special Consideration”, please check manaba+R’s College of IR Student Page and the “Study Support Site”.

(*)To check the class format for the first class of the course, you will need to apply for the “early use request function.” Refer to the Registration Guidebook AY 2024 for details. Please be careful that applying for the early use request does not sign you up for the course. You will need to register for courses during the designated period separately.

Recommendations for Private Study

It is important for students to be well aware of the beautiful nature and rich biodiversity of Kyoto, and increasing awareness of such local ecosystems paves the way for a better understanding about global environmental problems.

Grade Evaluation Method

Kind Percentage Grading Criteria etc.
Final Examination (Written)

Report Examination
(A report to be submitted by the unified deadline)

Exams and/or Reports other than those stated above, and Continuous Assessment　
(Evaluation of Everyday Performance in Class)		 100

Attendance in class is given 4 points per class, for a total of 60 points for 15 classes. Class attendance is verified by either roll call, in-class assignments or submission of group work assignments. In the last two classes, participation in oral presentations is also counted as attendance points. The final report is worth 40 points.

Grade Evaluation Method （Note）

Advice to Students on Study and Research Methods

Textbooks

Textbooks （Frequency of Use, Note）

Reference Books

Reference Books （Frequency of Use, Note）

Web Pages for Reference

How to Communicate with the Instructor In and Out of Class(Including Instructor Contact Information)

Learning Management System （manaba+R）,Talk with Students

Other Comments

【科目ナンバリング・カリキュラムマップはこちらから/Click here to see the Curriculum-Map and Course-Numbering】
URL:http://www.ritsumei.ac.jp//students/pathways-future/course/curriculum.html