(1) Learn the history of the technological development from ancient to modern.
(2) Learn how the environmental destruction has occurred due to the technological development.
(3) Learn the relationship between technology and environmental destruction and think about how technologists should work.
(4) Be interested in other fields as well as engineering and can express opinions.
Outline:
Food is essential for us to live, and it is the basis to produce our body, mind and intelligence. Now problems of environment, agriculture and food are often brought up as threatening our health and life. This is because the incidents that life is made light of often occur, including the accident of Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant by the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011. Then in this lecture, students understand relationship between technology or science and environment from the viewpoint of history from ancient to modern, centered on agriculture, agricultural technology and agricultural science that produce food as well as engineering. In addition, we will touch on the engnieering ethics.
Style:
Classes will be held in a lecture style.
Liaison: Ogasawara
Notice:
Evaluations are given with a focus on presentation and attitude during class and submitting reports.
Students who miss 1/3 or more of classes will not be eligible for evaluation.
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Theme |
Goals |
| 2nd Semester |
| 3rd Quarter |
| 1st |
Introduction －What is farming？－ |
Understand the significance and the method of this lecture and learn 'what is farming？'
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| 2nd |
Ancient civilization and agriculture |
Learn the relationship of the rise and fall of ancient civilizations and agriculture.
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| 3rd |
Rice-paddy cultivation in the Edo period in Japan |
The Edo period is often said to have been the sustainable society. Especially cities in Japan are said to have been the cleanest in the world in those days. Then learn rice-paddy cultivation that was one of the secrets.
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| 4th |
The agricultural revolution in Europe －from three-field system to rotation system－ |
Learn the Agricultural revolution in Europe that was one of the preconditions of the Industrial Revolution.
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| 5th |
The Industrial Revolution in England and the establishment of the capitalistic economy |
Understand the Industrial Revolution and the capitalistic economy. Learn other arguments that the economic growth rate of the U.K. was too low to be called 'Revolution'.
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| 6th |
The Meiji restoration and the establishment of the capitalistic economy in Japan |
During the Meiji period, the western agricultural technologies were introduced into Japan. But they did not adapt to the climate and natural features of Japan.Then learn the development of agricultural technology in Japan in those days.
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| 7th |
Japanese agriculture from the Meiji period to the prewar age of the Showa period and various problems |
Learn various agricultural problems from the Meiji period to the prewar age of the Showa period (disputes that occurred between landowners and tenant farmers) and the achievements of people that developed various agricultural technologies (seed selection with salt solution, the birth of Koshihikari and so on).
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| 8th |
Midterm exam
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| 4th Quarter |
| 9th |
The entire war system and Japanese agriculture －the diversion for armaments of not only iron but also many farm products－ |
Understand many farm products were diverted for armaments under the entire war system (konjac and Washi used to make balloon bombs and so on).
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| 10th |
The entire war system and overseas territories possessed by Japan －farming in 'Manchuria'－ |
Learn realities of farming by Japanese immigrants that went to 'Manchuria' in order to realize the ideal farming and escape poverty in Japan.
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| 11th |
War and agricultural science －general mobilization of not only engineering but also various studies－ |
Learn general mobilization of not only engineering but also various studies and technical experts under the entire war system.
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| 12th |
The development of the Japanese agriculture after World War Ⅱ |
Learn the changes of Japanese agriculture and dietary environment under the rapid economic growth after World War Ⅱ.
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| 13th |
Current agriculture in Japan －agriculture, food and environment in the future－ |
Learn various problems that Japanese agriculture and food have today (depopulation, satiation, the detachment of food and agriculture, global warming, and so on).
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| 14th |
Agriculture, food and nuclear power plant |
Learn the reason why the nuclear power plant construction contributes to the depopulation of the regions. Think over whether 'the restoration of the Tohoku region' and 'nuclear power plant operation' go together.
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| 15th |
The global warming and the role of nuclear power plant |
Nuclear power plant is expected as an important clue to prevent global warming, but does it have the ability really？ Think over that with various data, aim to have our own opinions.
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| 16th |
Final exam |
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