Science and Religion in Japan

Course title

M3025000

Course description

This course introduces some lesser-known aspects of Japanese history, “Science and Religion in Japan.” The quest for natural science to understand the design and principles of the universe was a major reason behind the advance of science in the West. But Japan had a different story. Science was brought over to Japan by European Christians. In the class, we do not focus on religion vs science debate, but on historical facts. Both illustrated and written reference materials are used to deepen students' interest and understanding.

Purpose of class

The 16th century was a turning point in Japanese history because the country was unified under the stern rule of two dictators, Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who ended the long civil wars among 300 feudal lords. Thus pacified Japan soon established contacts with Western civilization as transmitted by Portuguese traders and Catholic missionaries. Consequently, Japan acquired the technology, science, art, and crafts of the West and this interest extended to Christianity. However, the process of modernization was interrupted when Hideyoshi prohibited Christianity. In this course, we explore the process of transformation that religious tradition including Shinto, Buddhists, and Christianity went through in Japanese society, education, and science.

Goals and objectives

	Goals and objectives	Course Outcomes
1.	Students will familiarize themselves with the knowledge of the characteristics of some religious traditions in Japan, and how they were transformed in the modern period in the context of their encounter with the West.	B , E
2.	Students will also acquire some understanding of the effect of religions on society, education and science.	B , C , E
3.	Students will also learn to analyze the issue between science and culture from the perspective of the transcultural theory.	B , E

Language

English

Class schedule

	Class schedule	HW assignments (Including preparation and review of the class.)	Amount of Time Required
1.	Religion in Japan: Part 1 Before Meiji Restoration	Class preparation and review of class 1	170分
2.	Religion in Japan: Part 2 Between Meiji Restoration and World War II	Class preparation and review of class 2	180分
3.	Religion in Japan: Part 3 After World War II	Class preparation and review of class 3	180分
4.	Religion and science in Europe	Class preparation and review of class 4	180分
5.	Religion and science in Japan	Class preparation and review of class 5	180分
6.	Education and religion in Japan	Class preparation and review of class 6	180分
7.	Darwinism in Japan	Class preparation, preparation for mid-term, and review of class 7	220分
8.	Mid-term exam and discussion	Preparation for mid-term and review of class 8	220分
9.	Life science and religion in Japan	Class preparation and review of class 9	180分
10.	Design and religion in Japan	Class preparation and review of class 10	180分
11.	Architecture and religion in Japan:Part 1	Class preparation and review of class 11	180分
12.	Architecture and religion in Japan: Part 2	Class preparation, preparation for final, and review of class 12	200分
13.	Engineering Ethics in Japan	Class preparation, preparation for final, and review of class 13	200分
14.	Final exam and discussion	Preparation for final and review of class 14	200分
Total.	-	-	2650分

Relationship between 'Goals and Objectives' and 'Course Outcomes'

	Participation in class-activities and the reaction paper	Mid-term etc.	Final	Total.
1.	5%	10%	10%	25%
2.	5%	10%	20%	35%
3.	10%	10%	20%	40%
Total.	20%	30%	50%	-

Evaluation method and criteria

Grades are given based on:
1.Participation in class-activities and the reaction paper (20%)
2.Mid-term etc.(30%)
3.Final (50%)

Textbooks and reference materials

References are introduced in the class.

Prerequisites

Students are required to submit a 2000-word paper for both the mid-term and final. They should be argumentative, written academically, and complete with bibliography.

Office hours and How to contact professors for questions

Office hours: Monday and Friday, 16:00-18:00 in the lecturer's office & by appointment
Contact e-mail address: zam08580@shibaura-it.ac.jp

Regionally-oriented

Regionally-oriented course

Development of social and professional independence

Course that cultivates an ability for utilizing knowledge

Active-learning course

Most classes are interactive

Course by professor with work experience

Work experience	Work experience and relevance to the course content if applicatable
N/A	N/A

Education related SDGs:the Sustainable Development Goals

10.REDUCED INEQUALITIES
16.PEACE, JUSTICE AND STRONG INSTITUTIONS
17.PARTNERSHIPS FOR THE GOALS

Last modified : Sat Mar 21 11:46:10 JST 2020