Undergraduate (3rd and 4th years)
This is information from a past (2023) course.
The URLs, account and classroom informations have been removed to prevent the leakage of internal information for online classes.
Last updated at Apr 20, 2026.
Class plans and classrooms are subject to change, so be sure to check UTAS for the latest information.
If you do not have access to the UTAS, please contact your instructor or academic affairs office.
Last updated at Apr 20, 2026.
Class plans and classrooms are subject to change, so be sure to check UTAS for the latest information.
If you do not have access to the UTAS, please contact your instructor or academic affairs office.
Global Liberal Arts（What is Nature?: Humanity and the Landscape）
What is Nature?: Humanity and the Landscape
【Please note that you are assessed on a five-level scale of A+, A, B, C, or F/Fail in this course.】
The course will survey a variety of conceptions of nature throughout the history of human civilization through religion, philosophy, art, science and urbanization, with a particular focus on Europe and Japan. The breadth of the course is intended to expose students to diverse views throughout time and place concerning the place of humanity in the environment.
This class intends guide students through a variety of ideas through reading and discussion, as well as researching and presenting a topic within a specific scope of the course. This also gives students an opportunity to improve their speaking and reading English-language skills.
The course will survey a variety of conceptions of nature throughout the history of human civilization through religion, philosophy, art, science and urbanization, with a particular focus on Europe and Japan. The breadth of the course is intended to expose students to diverse views throughout time and place concerning the place of humanity in the environment.
This class intends guide students through a variety of ideas through reading and discussion, as well as researching and presenting a topic within a specific scope of the course. This also gives students an opportunity to improve their speaking and reading English-language skills.
Code
Course title
Lecturer
Semester
Period
7V0101017
FGL-GL3117S3
Global Liberal Arts（What is Nature?: Humanity and the Landscape）
Alex Bueno
Wed 2nd
Add to My List
Remove from My List
Language
English
Credit
2
Lecturers with practical experience
NO
Other Faculty
YES
Course Offered by
Center for Global Education
Schedule
1 Introduction
2 Nature & Religion in Premodern Europe
3 Nature & Religion in Premodern Japan
4–5 Nature in Western Philosophy
6 Landscape Painting in East Asia
7 Landscape Painting in Modern Europe
8–11 Nature in Modernity
8 Water & Engineering
9 Pollution
10 Ecology
11 The Anthropocene
12–13 Student Presentations
The schedule may change depending on enrollment.
Teaching Methods
The format of the class will be short lectures followed by discussion on the assigned readings, in English.
Method of Evaluation
Participation 50%, Presentation 50%.
Required Textbook
None. Readings will be distributed digitally.
Reference Books
None.
Notes on Taking the Course
No background knowledge in philosophy, art, ecology or history is required or expected.
