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For students enrolled in 2015
K1117
Nature and the Environment in Japan
For students enrolled in or before 2014
K0021
Japanese Natural Ecology
【NATURE & ENVIRONMENT】
【JPN NAT ECOL】
2 credits
Spring 2015
2 credits
Spring 2015
INSTRUCTOR: Norio YAMAMURA
OFFICE: Mukokukan 606 (Kyotanabe Campus)
TELEPHONE: 0774-65-7167
EMAIL: [email protected]
OFFICE HOURS: by appointment
Course Description
This course introduces students to the natural environment of the Japan, focusing on
the connection of human inhabitants to the ecology, natural resouces, and physical
phenomena. Background topics such as the topography, climate, biodiversity, natural
history, and geographic history of the Japanese islands are examined together with
issues surrounding the various manifestations of interactions between humans, other
living flora and fauna, and the non-living, including topics such as “satoyama”, river,
wetland, coastal, and urban built environments, land management, nature conservation,
and environmental movements. Students are encouraged to apply knowledge gained in
class and assignments by actually exploring nature and the environment in the field
(e.g., gardens, mountains, natural museums, etc).
Course Objectives
As a part of the “institute-wide courses” for understanding the natural environment of
the Japan, which provide a broad spectrum of knowledge and experiences about the
natural world, human cultures and societies, this course transcends preparation for
specific careers. The objective of this class is to develop a better understanding of
Japanese ecological nature using fundamental scientific knowledge about natural
environment and biodiversity. Students should gain an appreciation for the complex
relationship between nature and humans.
Course Requirements and Assignments
This course consists of conventional classroom lectures and observation of exhibition
for Japanese nature at several places outside the campus.
a) Attendance, Readings and Participation:
You are required to attend the lectures and practice at Imadegawa with an attendance
record of at least 80%. You are responsible for completing the readings (course
materials) for the day they are assigned. You are also required to visit several places in
Kyoto, such as Kyoto Botanical Garden, Kyoto Aquarium, and Arashiyama Monkey
Park, for observation of exhibition for Japanese nature and human life. The schedule
will be decided after classroom discussion and may be changed depending on weather.
b) Observation and a short essay:
You must be a keen observer of natural and social environments, keeping a careful
note during the fieldwork. A short essay on the exhibition of the particular site will be
assigned to you. For writing the paper, you should synthesize the general part of the
lectures and the particular observations.
At the end of the course you are required to take a summary essay on the Japanese
nature that you have recognized.
Evaluation Criteria & Grading
Grading for the course will be determined as follows:
1. Attendance and participation
2. Field journal
3. Assignment and short essays
4. Final essay
50%
15%
15%
20%
Additional Information: CLASSROOM POLICIES
1. Please come to class prepared and on time. Do not enter the classroom if you are late
by more than 15 minutes.
2. Let me know if you have an emergency and will not be able to come to class.
3. Please turn off your mobile phones. It is inappropriate to go outside to make calls or
to send or read text messages during class.
4. No sleeping in class.
5. You are responsible for the honest completion and representation of your work
avoiding academic misconduct, such as plagiarism and cheating.
Course Materials
<Textbooks>
Biodiversity of Japan
A Harmonious Coexistence between Nature and Humankind
Japan Wildlife Research Center, Heibonsha Ltd.
2010. ISBN: 978-0-13-713816-6
<Reference books, sources of readings and other information>
The Futurabiliy of Biodiversity
Educational presentation material for use in university lectures
Research Institute for Humanity and Nature.
2010. CD-ROM
Kyoto Prefecture Web Site
Available at: http://www.pref.kyoto.jp/en/index.html
Kyoto Aquarium Web Site
Available at: http://www.kyoto-aquarium.com/en/index.html
Arashiyama Monkey Park Web Site
Available at: http://www.kmpi.co.jp/english/
Tenryu-ji-temple Web Site
Available at: http://kyoto.travel/en/shrine_temple/170
Course Schedule
Week 1 Introduction to the Japanese Archipelago
Topic: Geology, Topography and Climate.
Week 2 Introduction to the Japanese Archipelago
Topic: Vegetation and Land Use Transition.
Week 3 Ecosystems of Japan
Topic: Natural mountain areas.
Week 4 Ecosystems of Japan
Topic: Satochi-Satoyama areas.
Week 5 Ecosystems of Japan
Topic: Urban areas.
Week 6 Ecosystems of Japan
Topic: River and lake areas.
Week 7 Ecosystems of Japan
Topic: Oceanic and Coastal areas.
Week 8 Ecosystems of Japan
Topic: Island areas.
Week 9
Kyoto Botanical Garden – observation (on Saterday afternoon)
Week 10 Kyoto Botanical Garden – discussion (on Saterday afternoon)
Week 11 Kyoto Aquarium – observation (on Saterday afternoon)
Week 12 Kyoto Aquarium – discussion (on Saterday afternoon)
Week 13 Arashiyama Monkey Park – observation (on Saterday afternoon)
Week 14 Tenryu-ji Temple – discussion (on Saterday afternoon)
Week 15 Final discussion
Note: This syllabus is subject to changes and/or revisions.