2024 Faculty Courses Liberal arts and basic science courses Humanities and social science courses
ELSI of Dual Use in Science and Technology
- Academic unit or major
- Humanities and social science courses
- Instructor(s)
- Hirotsugu Ohba
- Class Format
- Lecture (Face-to-face)
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 5-6 Wed
- Class
- -
- Course Code
- LAH.A534
- Number of credits
- 100
- Course offered
- 2024
- Offered quarter
- 2Q
- Syllabus updated
- Mar 14, 2025
- Language
- Japanese
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
Science and technology have a duality in that it not only brings about human development, but also brings about harm to humanity. This duality is called the dual-use problem. Furthermore, the dual-use problem brings ethical, legal (political), and social issues (ELSI) beyond the realm of science and technology. This lecture will provide an overview of the wide range of dual-use problems in nuclear, space, biotechnology, cyber, AI, etc., and will discuss with participants the ELSIs that may arise.
Course description and aims
1) Explain the dual-use problem, including a wide range of examples.
2) Explain ELSI that may occur in relation to dual-use issues, with rationale.
Keywords
Advanced Science and Technology, Dual-Use Issues, ELSI
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
Students are expected to read the relevant sections of the textbook before each class. The class will consist of lectures and discussions as necessary.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Overview of Dual-Use Issues and ELSI | Understand the dual-use issues in science and technology and the ELSI overview. |
| Class 2 | Case Study: Nuclear technology | Understand the dual-use issues and ELSI surrounding nuclear power. |
| Class 3 | Case Study: Space Development | Understand dual-use issues and ELSI surrounding space development. |
| Class 4 | Case Study: Bioengineering | Understand dual-use issues and ELSI surrounding bioengineering. |
| Class 5 | Case Study: Cyber Technology | Understand dual-use issues and ELSI surrounding cyber technology. |
| Class 6 | Case Study: Artificial Intelligence (AI) | Understand dual-use issues and ELSI surrounding artificial intelligence (AI). |
| Class 7 | Case Study: Unexplored Technology | Understand dual-use issues and ELSI surrounding science fiction-like unexplored science and technology. |
Study advice (preparation and review)
To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.
Textbook(s)
Yasuo DEGUCHI, Hirotsugu OHBA (eds), Philosophy of Military Research: Dual-use of Science & Technology, Showado, 2022.
Reference books, course materials, etc.
Tetsuji ISEDA, Kazuhisa TODAYAMA, Masashi SHIRABE, Yuko MURAKAMI (eds), Thinking Well About Science and Technology: Critical Thinking Practice Book, The University of Nagoya Press, 2013
Evaluation methods and criteria
Class attendance is the prerequisite for assessment. Assignments (60%) and term report (40%).
Related courses
- LAH.S402 ： Essence of Humanities and Social Sciences2:Ethics in Engineering
Prerequisites
none required
Office hours
By appointment. Contact by e-mail in advance.
Other
This course is 500-level course.
Tokyo Tech’s “wedge-shaped style education” enables students to pursue liberal arts education in a phased manner throughout undergraduate and graduate programs.
Students are encouraged to take 100-level to 600-level courses in order. As such, master’s students must begin Humanities and Social Science courses at the 400 level (in 1Q/2Q of the first year for those entering in April, and 3Q/4Q for those entering in September), then proceed to 500-level courses (in 3Q/4Q or later for those entering in April, and 1Q/2Q of the following year or later for those entering in September).