Center for General Education and Core Curriculum, Tamkang 【Science and Society】

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【Science and Society】

Interdisciplinary Micro-Program

【Mission】

In this rapidly changing era, the intertwining relationship between technology and society is becoming increasingly prominent, emerging as an unignorable topic. Through a meticulously designed micro-course program, students can explore the impact of technology on society and how society shapes technological development from multiple perspectives. Integrating general education with specialized disciplines, this course embodies the spirit of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) education. By incorporating courses on social responsibility, practical application, and self-directed learning, a thematic micro-course program is established. This interdisciplinary learning approach aims to prepare students for a rapidly changing world, enhance their comprehensive problem-solving abilities, and cultivate innovative talents with STEAM literacy. It lays the foundation for holistic education, meeting the challenges and demands of future society.

【Course Planning】

Students must complete at least one course in each of the three domains—"Foundational Interdisciplinary Studies," "Thematic Issues," and "Practical Orientation"—within their chosen micro-course program, for a total of at least four courses. Additionally, they must achieve passing grades in these courses to qualify for the issuance of the program certificate.

Domain	Department Offering the Course	Course Name	Course Description
Foundational Interdisciplinary Studies	Center for General Education and Core Curriculum	EXPLORATION FIELD-EXPLORING CULTURAL AND CREATIVE INDUSTRIES AND INTELLIGENT	The course spans multiple fields, from digital media and visual arts to smart product design, allowing students to understand how design integrates with technology, art, and business innovation. Students will learn how to use digital tools for creative design and explore how to incorporate smart technologies into the cultural and creative industries to create products with cultural value.
Foundational Interdisciplinary Studies	Center for General Education and Core Curriculum	EXPLORATION FIELD-EXPLORING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND SUSTAINABLE	How AI technology can be applied in areas such as environmental protection, resource management, and renewable energy to help students understand how artificial intelligence (AI) drives global sustainable development, while also analyzing the ethical challenges and sustainability issues brought by AI. Students will learn how to integrate AI with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and explore innovative solutions.
Foundational Interdisciplinary Studies		INTRODUCTION TO ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE	The AI and Programming Language course introduces students to the fundamentals of AI programming. It covers key concepts such as machine learning, neural networks, and deep learning, along with practical applications in areas like natural language processing and computer vision. Students will learn the syntax and structure of an AI programming language, develop skills in data handling, manipulation, and analysis, and gain hands-on experience implementing machine learning algorithms and constructing neural networks.
Foundational Interdisciplinary Studies	Futures Studies (R Group)	FUTURES STUDIES IN SOCIETY: THE TREND OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT	This lecture series adopts the internationally recognized ESG framework to invite experts and scholars from various fields of global sustainable development. It is divided into three modules, each occurring within different contextual settings, including campus sustainability, social innovation and sustainability, and issue-based sustainability discussions. Complemented by two ESG perspective integration sessions, the course aims to help students absorb diverse perspectives on sustainability.
Foundational Interdisciplinary Studies	Philosophy and Religion (V Group)	PHILOSOPHY AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE	This course will first explain the artificial intelligence discussed in the course, distinguishing between Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) and Artificial Narrow Intelligence (ANI), and briefly outlining the relevant debates encountered. Next, the philosophical issues related to AGI will be explored by introducing the "mind-body problem." After that, moral issues related to AGI will be discussed. Finally, the challenges related to artificial intelligence introduced in the course will be recapitulated to facilitate further understanding of the related arguments.
Thematic Issues	College of Engineering	EMGINEERING AND QUALITY AND LIFE	This course aims to cultivate students' correct learning attitudes through sharing, encouragement, and practice, while exploring the meaning and value of life. It focuses on "interpersonal relationship cultivation" and "environmental ethics exploration." Students will learn the importance of "gratitude," "positivity," "responsibility," and "empathy" to build harmonious relationships and contribute to personal growth, life values, and environmental conservation.
Thematic Issues	Department of Information Management	USER EXPERIENCE AND INTERACTION DESIGN	This course will give you the Design Thinking methodology and discuss how to insightfully analyze problems from a human-centered perspective, develop creative solutions, and understand how to continuously iterate concepts. I'll condense and deliver to you the essence from the best practice. This is an intensive course involves a significant amount of discussion and hands-on activities. It's not an easy course, and on the first day, participants will be grouped. If you cannot attend the first three sessions, please do not enroll.
Thematic Issues	Global Technological Revolution (Z Group)	EARTH'S ECOSYSTEMS AND ENVIRONMENT	Base on the development of science and technology in the 20th and 21st century, I would like to introduce their impact in changing our daily life, as well as our respect to the nature. Being an astronomer, I will emphasize on our exploration to the environment, to the Earth, and to our Solar System.
Thematic Issues	Civil Society and Participation (S Group)	SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY AND PUBLIC PARTICIPATION	This course will focus on the elements of democracy—civic participation, learning how to engage in a democratic society. We will study new concepts, models, and practices of civic participation, and there will be practical simulations, observations, and explorations.
Practical Orientation	Natural Sciences (U Group)	CHEMISTRY, ENVIRONMENT AND SOCIETY	In this course, the basic theory of chemistry at enviroment and society related issues as well as theirs applications will be discussed.
Practical Orientation	Natural Sciences (U Group)	CHEMISTRY, MEDICINE AND SOCIETY	Introduction of how chemistry to influence of our environment medicine and society
Practical Orientation	Natural Sciences (U Group)	CHEMISTRY, FOOD AND SOCIETY	CHEMISTRY, FOOD AND SOCIETY is a general education course designed for general audience. It explores the intersection of chemical technology, food science, and their impact on human life and society. Through accessible science articles and interactive discussions, students will engage with contemporary issues such as food safety, nutrition, sustainability, and the role of chemistry in technology and daily life. The course emphasizes critical thinking and communication skills, encouraging the use of English and AI applications as tools for learning and exploration.
Practical Orientation	Natural Sciences (U Group)	CHEMISTRY IN LIFE	Since it is impossible to live without chemistry, knowing a little about chemistry will naturally benefit a lot. This course introduces the correct chemistry and science knowledge to make your life more comfortable and confident.

【Science and Society】Interdisciplinary Micro-Program

【Science and Society】

Interdisciplinary Micro-Program

【Mission】

【Course Planning】