科学技術と文化１

Science, Technology and Culture 1

9960270

L2IDSTSb01

Michael John Lynskey

Michael John LYNSKEY

2026年度前期

2026年度

①First semester

木曜5限

Thursday 5th period

創域理工学部（一般教養科目）

A course of liberal arts, the Faculty of Science and Technology

2.00単位

講義

Lecture

英語　English

① [対面]対面授業/ [On-site] On-site class

Science, Technology and Society (STS) is an interdisciplinary, content-based English course that examines science and technology as human activities. Unlike other courses at TUS that focus in detail on a particular field of science (e.g., physics) or engineering, this course looks at science and technology generally, and at their effect on society (and, conversely, how society affects science and technology).

The course considers various aspects of the history and philosophy of science and technology, in order to give students some familiarity with the common roots of the subjects they are studying.

【授業の目的・到達目標】

The objectives of this course are to:

1. provide students with an overview of science and technology generally, and how they shape (and are shaped by) society.

［要点］科学が文化をいかにして形成するか／文化は科学をいかにして形成するかについての理解を深める］

2. give students exposure to classes which are ‘in’ English (taught in English) but not ‘on’ English (not about the English language).

［要点］英語について学ぶのではなく、英語「で」学ぶ環境を提供する

3. complement students’ other specialised courses, by considering some general historical, social and cultural aspects of science and technology.

［要点］実験や科学理論などといった専門科目の背後にある文化的要素についての理解を促す

Anticipated outcomes of the course include:

1) Students will acquire an overview of some of the key themes, people, and ideas about science and technology in historical context.
2) Students will gain an appreciation of issues that involve science and technology in wider society, which will broaden their general knowledge.
3) Students will improve their general level of proficiency in English by learning new vocabulary, and by practising speaking, reading and writing skills in English, all of which will assist students in their other classes, interviews, internships and job prospects.

リンク先の [評価項目と科目の対応一覧]から確認できます（学部対象）。
履修登録の際に参照ください。
​You can check this from “Correspondence table between grading items and subjects” by following the link(for departments).
https://www.tus.ac.jp/fd/ict_tusrubric/​​​

This course is open to any motivated student whose English is sufficiently proficient to follow the course.

Good ability in English is necessary to understand the classes, but this is not an English-language course and students will not be examined on their English-language ability.

当授業は、英語力の高い学生だけを対象としたものではない。むしろ、当授業で扱うトピックに興味のある学生であれば、誰でも参加して欲しい。もちろん、授業を理解するためにはある程度の英語力が必要ではあるが、これは英語の授業ではなく、従って、英語力そのものが評価の対象となることはない。

The size of the class will be limited to 20 students. If the class exceeds this number, students will be selected by a short test or essay.

履修希望者が 20人を超えた場合は、履修の動機などについて英語による簡単な論述を課し、人数制限をする場合があります。よって、履修を希望する学生は、一回目の授業に必ず出席してください。

課題に対する作文　Essay／小テストの実施　Quiz type test／ディベート・ディスカッション　Debate/Discussion／プレゼンテーション　Presentation／-

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1. If requested to do so, please read any designated text that is distributed in class as preparation for discussion in the subsequent class.

2. Please study the presentation handouts distributed in class for the short tests, which are given occasionally.

It is anticipated that grading will be based on the following:

• Essay assignments and/or short tests: 40%
• Final examination: 60%

The allocation of marks may change, depending on the quantity of assignments and tests given.

・S：到達目標を十分に達成し、極めて優秀な成果を収めている
・A：到達目標を十分に達成している
・B：到達目標を達成している
・C：到達目標を最低限達成している
・D：到達目標を達成していない
・-：学修成果の評価を判断する要件を欠格している

・S：Achieved outcomes, excellent result
・A：Achieved outcomes, good result
・B：Achieved outcomes
・C：Minimally achieved outcomes
・D：Did not achieve outcomes
・-：Failed to meet even the minimal requirements for evaluation

N

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教科書および一部の参考書は、MyKiTS (教科書販売サイト) から検索・購入可能です。
​https://gomykits.kinokuniya.co.jp/tokyorika/​​​

It is possible to search for and purchase textbooks and certain reference materials at MyKiTS (online textbook store).
​​https://gomykits.kinokuniya.co.jp/tokyorika/

資料は授業時に配布します。

Teaching material will be given during class.

The following is a tentative outline of the lectures. Please, however, note the following:

- The sequence and/or the contents of classes may change, depending on circumstances and the format of the class.
- Occasionally, essay assignments or short tests will be given in class. The results of these essays and short tests will contribute to students' final grades.

［以下はあくまで暫定的なスケジュールであり、状況により内容が変更される場合もある］

1. Introduction
Introduction, objectives, schedule and assessment method. The public understanding of science; recent surveys and results; in-class survey; the influence of science and technology on society (and vice versa).

2. The Black Box
Perspectives on science and technology. Absolute knowledge. Knowledge and scientific truth.　

3. Science and non-science
The nature and characteristics of science; science as inquiry; the relationship between science and society. Distinction between science and non-science. History and examples of non-science in society.

4. Philosophy of science
The scientific method; change in methods; deduction and induction; positivism; post-positivism; Popper; Kuhn. ［科学哲学概観］

5. Overview of the History of Science 1 ［科学史概観］
Early scientific ideas; the legacy of the Greeks; Aristotelian-Medieval perspective; opposition to Aristotelian views.

6. Overview of the History of Science 2 ［科学史概観］
The scientific revolution and its impact on society; key figures, discoveries and inventions; the Cartesian perspective; the Newtonian perspective and its legacy.

7. Overview of the History of Science 3 ［科学史概観］ ［社会における科学］
Subsequent revolutions and their impact; the spread of scientific ideas; the Enlightenment; the Industrial Revolution; the Darwinian revolution; social Darwinism.　

8. Overview of the History of Science 4 ［科学史概観］
Early 20th century upheaval in scientific thinking and its legacy; the contemporary perspective.

9. Energy
The depletion of oil. Nuclear energy. Alternative resources.

10. DNA (and the Genome)
Discovery of DNA and its structure. Human genome. Vaccines.

11. Information
Growth of information. Contributing factors. Characteristics of information.

12. Technological Innovation 1
Invention and innovation. The nature of innovation. Types and models of innovation. Innovation processes in society.

13. Technological Innovation 2
Macro theories of innovation. Micro theories of innovation. Cycles of technological development in society.

14. Review Class
Review of the material in the course and preparation for the Final Examination and/or Presentation.

15. Final Examination
Final Examination.

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1. The sequence and/or the contents of classes may change depending on circumstances and the composition of the class.

2. It is important to attend the first class to determine the number of students who will be admitted to the course. The maximum number of students is 20. See the comment above at 履修上の注意.

Y

N