Environmental Issues in Human Society

Course title

11760120

	KURISHIMA Hideaki
	FURUGOORI Yuko

Middle-level Diploma Policy (mDP)

Program / Major	mDP	Goals
Fundamental Mechanical Engineering	A	文化・芸術・歴史・政治経済などに基づく大局的な視野と倫理的な視点から、工学と社会の関わりを考察することができ、グローバル社会において多様な人々と意思疎通を図ることができる。
Advanced Mechanical Engineering	A	文化・芸術・歴史・政治経済などに基づく大局的な視野と倫理的な視点から、工学と社会の関わりを考察することができ、グローバル社会において多様な人々と意思疎通を図ることができる。
Environment and Materials Engineering	D	的確な判断のもとに技術者として責任ある行動をとることができる。
Chemistry and Biotechnology	D	的確な判断のもとに技術者として責任ある行動をとることができる。
Electrical Engineering and Robotics	A	多様な視点から種々の文化や社会の発展の歴史を学び、多面的に物事を捉えることができる。
Advanced Electronic Engineering	A	豊かな教養を持ち、幅広い視点から物事を考え理解する基礎的能力を身に付けることができる。
Information and Communications Engineering	A-1	技術の進展と人間・社会の関わり合いを理解することができる。
Computer Science and Engineering	E	種々の文化の理解に基づき社会的・地球的視点から多面的に物事を考える能力を身に付けることができる。
Urban Infrastructure and Environment	B	⼟⽊技術が社会と⾃然に対して⼤きな影響を与えることを理解し、技術者として、持続可能な社会を創造するための役割と責任を理解することができる。

Purpose of class

The purpose is to understand the environmental issues facing human society and to learn the basic way of thinking and specific measures in working on solutions to environmental issues.

Course description

Humans have developed their lives while using and modifying the environment. However, excessive use or modification beyond the recovery function of the environment causes various environmental issues. Environmental issues occur at various levels, and the factors are intertwined in complex ways.
Therefore, in the first half of this course, we will study the various environmental issues that human society has faced until now, and in the second half we will consider the two major environmental issues of climate change and waste problem and their countermeasures.

Goals and objectives

Understanding the environmental issues facing human society.
Understanding of various measures for solving environmental issues.
Logically consider environmental issues and their solutions.

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

	Quiz	Reports	Final exam	Total.
1.	10%	10%	10%	30%
2.	5%	10%	20%	35%
3.	5%	20%	10%	35%
Total.	20%	40%	40%	-

Evaluation method and criteria

(1)Grade is given based on the following: Quiz 20%, Midterm exam or Reports 40%, Final exam 40%.
(2)You are required to attend over two-thirds of classes to take the Final exam.

Language

Japanese

Class schedule

	Class schedule	HW assignments (Including preparation and review of the class.)	Amount of Time Required
1.	History of environmental issues 1	Read the syllabus of this course carefully	20minutes
1.	History of environmental issues 1	Review of the class	100minutes
2.	History of environmental issues 2	Preparation of the next class	40minutes
2.	History of environmental issues 2	Review of the class	100minutes
3.	History of environmental issues 3	Preparation of the next class	40minutes
3.	History of environmental issues 3	Review of the class	100minutes
4.	History of environmental issues 4	Preparation of the next class	40minutes
4.	History of environmental issues 4	Review of the class	100minutes
5.	Local environmental issues	Preparation of the next class	40minutes
5.	Local environmental issues	Review of the class	100minutes
6.	Global environmental issues	Preparation of the next class	40minutes
6.	Global environmental issues	Review of the class	100minutes
7.	Midterm review	Assignment	450minutes
8.	Climate change 1	Preparation of the next class	40minutes
8.	Climate change 1	Review of the class	100minutes
9.	Climate change 2	Preparation of the next class	40minutes
9.	Climate change 2	Review of the class	100minutes
10.	Climate change 3	Preparation of the next class	40minutes
10.	Climate change 3	Review of the class	100minutes
11.	Waste problem 1	Preparation of the next class	40minutes
11.	Waste problem 1	Review of the class	100minutes
12.	Waste problem 2	Preparation of the next class	40minutes
12.	Waste problem 2	Review of the class	100minutes
13.	Waste problem 3	Preparation of the next class	40minutes
13.	Waste problem 3	Review of the class	100minutes
14.	Course review and Final exam	Preparation of the final exam	450minutes
Total.	-	-	2560minutes

Feedback on exams, assignments, etc.

ways of feedback	specific contents about "Other"
Feedback in the class

Textbooks and reference materials

No particular texts are required. Suggested readings will be mentioned from time to time in the class.

Prerequisites

[Class Implementation Method]
・Classes offered at the Omiya Campus will be conducted face-to-face in the classroom. Depending on the situation, online classes may be held.
・Classes offered at the Toyosu Campus will be conducted on demand. Final examinations will be administered at the designated day and period.

[Notes]
・Detailed explanations of the course content and grading policy will be provided in the first class, so attendance is mandatory.

Office hours and How to contact professors for questions

Kurishima：Office hours are available outside scheduled class times in the laboratory or online (via Zoom or email). Please contact in advance by email.
Furugori: Lectures room after the lecture

Regionally-oriented

Non-regionally-oriented course

Development of social and professional independence

Course that cultivates an ability for utilizing knowledge

Active-learning course

More than one class is interactive

Course by professor with work experience

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

Education related SDGs:the Sustainable Development Goals

2.ZERO HUNGER
3.GOOD HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
7.AFFORDABLE AND CLEAN ENERGY
11.SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND COMMUNITIES
12.RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION & PRODUCTION
13.CLIMATE ACTION
14.LIFE BELOW WATER
15.LIFE ON LAND

Last modified : Sat Mar 14 14:15:43 JST 2026