Course title
8M108400
Business Research on Geo-environment Management

 takeuchi keizo
Class name
Business Research on Geo-environment Management
Keywords
  • geo-engineering
  • sustainability
  • common capital
  • Smart Society
  • conservation
Course description
The scale of things encompassed by the single phrase “global environment” is huge, and new discussions and discoveries surrounding this concept happen every day. Furthermore, it is also difficult to find an appropriate textbook that teaches the actual state of the global environment and its related problems both scientifically and technologically. Meanwhile, social issues related to the global environment such as “the increasing global population and insufficient food and resources” and “environmental degradation and climate change” have become increasingly more prevalent in recent years. Solving these issues will require both our individual effort and cooperation on a global scale, and, as much as possible, people all over the world need to properly understand the importance of the environment and its related problems.

This course exists so that any aspiring leaders attending this class can commit to the important mission of “helping address global environmental issues,” both as leaders directly or indirectly involved with environmental management through business transactions, and as important members of society. To do this, the course allows attendees to learn together, acquire skills, and integrate how to do their part within corporate management and business creation.

The course fundamentally follows a round-table conference format. The instructor will lecture on the topic assigned to each class, and follow up by posing a question, to encourage attendees to participate in class discussions, thereby deepening their understanding of the topics and key content.

In the second half of the term, each attendee will be required to predict global environmental conditions five years into the future and formulate a plan of action regarding a business or societal contribution to address the related issues. They will use this as a future goal as they improve their skills.
Purpose of class
There is a deep connection between the “global environmental business theory” of the first term and the “energy industry business theory” of the second term. By studying these two subjects as a set, attendees can expect to gain a clearer understanding and to further improve their abilities.
Goals and objectives
  1. To understand the history and the current state of global environmental issues, and to be able to discuss the causes of those issues and steps to address them.
  2. To have a general understanding of and be able to discuss global environmental business.
  3. To be aware of one’s own role in global environmental preservation and the solving of environmental problems, to be able to set goals and objectives, and to have a plan of action (the subject of the final report)
  4. To understand and discuss the 46 billion years of the earth history and its environmental problems.
Language
Japanese
Class schedule

 Class schedule HW assignments (Including preparation and review of the class.) Amount of Time Required
1. “An Introduction to Earth and Human Development”: We will survey the history of the Earth, consider the relationship between the global environment and humanity. We will also explore the basics of environmental issues, the nature of conflict between development and environmental sustainability, measures taken to introduce solutions to global environmental problems, and examine why issues have occurred and how they have been addressed thus far. In preparation for the first class, all attendees should identify related major issues or issues they feel we tend to overlook despite their importance. Prepare to discuss these points, summarize the results of the discussion, and make good use of the information. 180minutes
2. “Recent Global Environmental Issues”: We will learn about recent environmental issues and how they are addressed in Japan, other countries, and on a global scale. Same as above. 180minutes
3. “Different Environmental Perspectives”: We will understand points of view and opinions regarding environmental issues, social common capital, and the interplay of the environment in relation to the business and economic development timeline, including competing interests between capitalism and sustainability. Read materials provided by the instructor (handouts, etc.) 180minutes
4. “Debates on Commoditization of Global Warming”: Moving toward the achievement of a low-carbon society and a new carbon society, the effectiveness of and issues with CO2 reduction as a way to address global warming, and thoughts on policies to create a new carbon society in which CO2 is utilized, for example, as a resource. Same as above. 180minutes
5. Off-campus Class (@Marunouchi): Using “A Look at the State of the Global Environment” and the digital globe “The Tangible World,” we will learn about the form and the workings of the Earth by looking at the results of actual observational data and simulations. Read reference books 1 180minutes
6. Off-campus Class (@Marunouchi): Using a visualization of the world environment with “The Tangible World,” we will learn about regional relationships in the global environment. Same as above. 180minutes
7. “Introduction to Global Environmental Business”: We will learn about existing businesses related to the global environment and businesses that we expect to see in the future. Read reference book 2 180minutes
8. “Assessing Anthropogenic Activity”: We will consider possible solutions by differentiating between environmental changes in the Earth itself and the impacts of human activity; we will explain these impacts and solutions using a business and economic development timeline. Same as above. 180minutes
9. “Energy Conservation”: We will learn about existing technology related to energy conservation, and about predictions for the future. Read materials provided by the instructor (handouts, etc.) 180minutes
10. “The Smart Society”: We will explore new concepts, such as “smart cities” and “smart communities,” and what we can expect to see in the future, including our evolving relationship with renewable energy, e.g. hydrogen, etc. Read materials provided by the instructor (handouts, etc.) 180minutes
11. “The Correlation Between Environment and Energy”: We will connect energy issues with other environmental issues. Read materials provided by the instructor (handouts, etc.) 180minutes
12. “A Vision for Corporate Management and Environmental Management Systems”: This section will review companies that address environmental issues through corporate activity, such as CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility), and we will examine different management philosophies and practices. Read reference book 3 180minutes
13. “Topic Research Presentations”: Taking Item 3 in the Goals and Objectives, section above, students will present on plans of action related to business efforts and societal contributions looking five years into the future; students will share opinions. Turn in final reports reflecting the comments you received on the abovementioned topic presentations. Furthermore, we will review the results of the course as a class 180minutes
14. "Topic Research Presentations”: After revising the plans of action based on the opinions shared, students will prepare PowerPoint presentations. Same as above. 180minutes
15. Course Summary: We will summarize and review the content we learned, such as ever-changing environmental issues and possible solutions, and arrange it for presentation. Read the handout summary of topics discussed in class. 180minutes
Total. - - 2700minutes
Relationship between 'Goals and Objectives' and 'Course Outcomes'

 active learning midterm final report Total.
1. 5% 5% 15% 25%
2. 5% 5% 15% 25%
3. 5% 5% 15% 25%
4. 5% 5% 15% 25%
Total. 20% 20% 60% -
Evaluation method and criteria
- 30% Based on active class participation: Did you respond often to the comments of other attendees, and did you actively state your own opinion? The significance of your participation will be evaluated.
- 40% Based on presentation: Your ability to create materials and present them will be evaluated.
- 30% Based on final report: The thought put into your report and the content of your action plan will be evaluated.
Textbooks and reference materials
Reference 1) Shin’ichi Takemura, Professor, Kyoto University of Art and Design
　　　　　　 “Through the Earth’s Eyes” (PHP New Releases)
Reference 2) Eco-business Network (Ed.)
　　　　　　 “New Global Environment Business 2009-2011” (Sangakusha)
Reference 3) Intermediate reference book: Yoshimitsu Kobayashi, Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation
　　　　　　 “Management in Harmony with the Earth—Announcing
MOS Reform” (Nikkei Publishing Inc.)
Reference 4) Syun-Ichi Akasofu. “Real Knowledge about Global Warming”
(Seibundo Shinkosha, 2008)

*Materials put together by the instructor will be handed out to attendees when appropriate.
Prerequisites
- Have an interest in issues pertaining to the global environment, energy, and business in relation to those topics.
- Pay attention to information and stories released through mass media and attempt to understand it.
- Read the reference books listed above.
Course objectives
As listed in the lecture summary.
Office hours and How to contact professors for questions
  • You may e-mail at any time.
  • You may call the instructor’s cell phone for urgent matters. (The email address and cell phone number will be provided at the start of the course.)
Relation to the environment
Environment practical course (100%)
Regionally-oriented
Regionally-oriented course
Development of social and professional independence
  • Course that cultivates a basic problem-solving skills
  • Course that cultivates an ability for utilizing knowledge
  • Course that cultivates a basic interpersonal skills
Active-learning course
About half of the classes are interactive
Last modified : Wed Aug 30 04:03:46 JST 2017