一般教育課程での自然科学について

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The recent development of natural science, especially of phisics, has been so remarkable that, from the standpoint of the development of culture, the growth and contributions of science should be considered to parallel those of humanistic culture such as music, fine arts, literature, etc. It has been emphasized by many educators in physics that physics in general education program should be taught not only because of its usefulness but also because of its cultural value. Moreover, in order that mankind can maintain proper control of products of science, a deep understanding of the nature of science as well as a very broad viewpoint with respect to various other disciplines is indispensable. To meet these requirements, the following approach has been adopted.(a) For Non-science Majors The general tendency is represented by a statement by Mr. N. Clarke at The First International Conference on Physics Education, Paris, that "children should be able to appreciate that in studying physics they are studying one of the really important subjects that is of significance not only economically but culturally, representing an impressive intellectual achievement." The program of the Physical Science Study Committee (PSSC) of the United States seems to be based on a similar standpoint. Although Mr. Clarke's statement: was done in connection with physics education for students of age between 12 and 16, and the PSSC program is for senior high schools, the basic policy can be applied to university general education physics-A program is proposed in which only fundamental principles of physics is taught, emphasis being laid upon the way in which physicists observe nature and establish physical laws. As an example, teaching of the theory of relativity as well as the quantum theory is proposed with the following content. Space (Does the absolute space exist?); The nature of time; Mass, momentum, energy, electricity considered from the standpoint of conservation laws; Special theory of relativity; Fusion of space and time; Difference between classical and quantum physics; Principle of superposition; Corpuscular and wave nature of light; Matter waves. These subjects have the advantage that we can combine these subjects with other branches of study such as astronomy, philosophy, etc. (b) For Science Maiors Under the old system at International Christian University, it was required of natural science students, including physics majors, to take 12 units of natural science general education, together with 12 units each in humanities and in the social sciences. The students were recommended to take general education courses at their earliest opportunity. The principal drawback of this system was that physics students studied the philosophical aspects of physics, methodology of physics, etc. without taking full advantage of the factual knowledge. Although the arrangement that physics students and other science students attended the courses together with students majoring in other fields had the advantage of encouraging communication between science majors and the other students, there were also several disadvantages arising from the drawback mentioned above. In an effort to improve the situation mentioned above, it was concluded to revise the whole program of the natural science general education for science majors. The Natural Science Division had a fourth-year course called "Senior Integrating Seminar (SIS)" in which special common topics such as energy, life, water, etc. were selected for report and discussion. This course has been revised so that this has now become part of the general education program for science majors at ICU. The natural science students are divided into groups of 4 or 5 students each. Students belonging to a group read a common book and discuss the content under the guidance of one or two faculty members. After that they meet together and reports are made by each of the groups. This is followed by discussion. Occasional invited lectures are given. It is intended that the students can thus learn the methodology of physics, philosophical aspects of physics, etc., after they have finished their own specialized fields of study.
国際基督教大学の論文

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原島鮮
国際基督教大学

一般教育課程での自然科学について

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