Science, Technology and Public Policy
Instructors
SHIROYAMA, Hideaki / YARIME, Masaru / ROGERS, Michael
Credits / Language / Semester
2Credits / English / Winter
Objectives/Overview
The development and diffusion of science innovative technologies is indispensable for modern society. However, despite its benefits, the development of science and technology is not without various risks and social problems. So far as we are going to make societal decisions for the use of science and technologies with diverse social implications that encompass both risks and benefits, sometimes involving values implications, there is a need for mechanisms of decision making and management of the development and utilization of science and technology. Decisions can be different depending on environmental, institutional and cultural conditions. In addition, innovative policy instruments/ mechanisms to deal with rapidly changing science and technology are required for implementing decisions. This course will deal with wide range of issues from local to global levels faced at the interface areas between science, technology and public policy from comparative perspective of Japan, the US and Europe.
Keywords
Science and Technology, Public Policy, Risk Management, Innovation, International Regimes
Schedule
1. Science, Technology and Modern Governance. 2. Science Advice. 3. Technological Risk Governance. 4. Ethical Analysis. 5. Systems Approach to Innovation. 6. Intellectual Property Rights. 7. Innovation and Sustainability. 8. Regulations and Accident Investigation. 9. International Regimes – Security, Environment and International Harmonization.
Teaching Methods
Lecture and Seminar.
Grading
Presentation and Participation, Final Report
Required Text
No.
Reference Books
John D. Graham, etc, Risk Versus Risk: Tradeoffs in Protecting Health and the Environment, 1997. Sheila Jasanoff, The Fifth Branch: Science Advisers as Policy Makers,1990. Chris Freeman, etc, The Economics of Industrial Innovation, 1997.