Orientation and Course Introduction

◼ Lecture Content and Keywords

1) Overview of the course, course requirements, and evaluation methods
2) Setting presentation schedule for the following sessions

◼ Required/Supplementary Readings
N/A

◼ Assignments and Class Organization for Sessions 2-14

After initial course introduction (Session 1), we will move on to student-driven sessions (Sessions 2-14). Each student-driven session will consist of two individual student presentations. Each student should give a presentation (20 minutes) on the assigned textbook section or academic article, followed by a feedback from the instructor and an open in-class discussion (15-20 minutes).

Features of Japanese Communication I

◼ Lecture Content and Keywords

• Student individual presentations and open in-class discussions

Presentation Topics:
1) The Culture of Aimai (ambiguity) in Japan
2) The Concept of Omoiyari (consideration) in Japanese Interactions

◼ Required Readings
• Textbook: “Aimai: Ambiguity and the Japanese” (pp. 9-16).
• Hara, K. (2006). The Concept of Omoiyari (Altruistic Sensitivity) in Japanese Relational Communication. Intercultural Communication Studies, XV(1), 24-32.

◼ Supplementary Readings (Optional)
• Berglund, J. (2004). Japan – Its People, Its Language, and Its Culture. Ningen Bunka Gakubu Kenkyu Nenpo, 6, 52-101.

Features of Japanese Communication II

◼ Lecture Content and Keywords

• Student individual presentations and open in-class discussions

Presentation Topics:
1) The Culture of Amae (dependence in Japanese relationships)
2) Japanese Nonverbal Communication: Chinmoku (silence) and Ojigi (bowing)

◼ Required Readings
• Textbook: “Amae: The Concept of Japanese Dependence” (pp. 17-22), “Chinmoku: Silence in Japanese Communication” (pp. 51-60).
• Amri, M. (2019). Ojigi: The Ethics of Japanese Community’s Nonverbal Language. Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research, 380, 38-41.

◼ Supplementary Readings (Optional)
• Doi, T. (1962). Amae: A Key Concept for Understanding Japanese Personality Structure. Psychologia, 5, 1-7.

Features of Japanese Communication III

◼ Lecture Content and Keywords

• Student individual presentations and open in-class discussions

Presentation Topics:
1) The Culture of Honne and Tatemae in Japanese Communication
2) The Culture of Haragei and Ishin Denshin Indirect Communication

◼ Required Readings
• Textbook: “Haragei: An Implicit Way of Communicating In Japan” (pp. 103-108), “Honne to Tatemae: Private vs. Public Stance in Japan” (pp. 115-118).
• Došen, A. (2017). Silent Bodies: Japanese taciturnity and image thinking. Etnoantropološki Problemi [Issues in Ethnology and Anthropology], 12(1), 113-128.

◼ Supplementary Readings (Optional)
• Mičková, L. (2003). The Japanese Indirectness Phenomenon. ASIAN AND AFRICAN STUDIES, 12(2), 135-147.

Features of Japanese Communication IV

◼ Lecture Content and Keywords

• Student individual presentations, open in-class discussions

Presentation Topics:
1) The Japanese Group Consciousness (Shūdan Ishiki)
2) The Concepts of Giri (social obligations) and Ninjo (human emotion)

◼ Required Readings
• Textbook: “Shūdan Ishiki: Japanese Group Consciousness” (pp. 195-200), “Giri: Japanese Social Obligations” (pp. 95-102).
• Mogi, N. (2001). The Effects of Group Consciousness on Japanese Language Behavior. Psychology of Language and Communication, 5(1), 81-94.
• Seki, K. (1971). The Circle of On, Giri, and Ninjo : Sociologist's Point of View. Bulletin of the Faculty of Humanities and Human Sciences, Hokkaido University, 19(2), 99-114.

◼ Supplementary Readings (Optional)
• Wierzbicka, A. (1991). Japanese Key Words and Core Cultural Values. Language in Society, 20(3), pp. 333-385.
• Lebra, T. S. (1976). Japanese Patterns of Behavior. Honolulu University of Hawaii Press. (Chapter 6: “Reciprocity”, pp. 67-89).

Japanese Human Relations I

◼ Lecture Content and Keywords

• Student individual presentations, open in-class discussions

Presentation Topics:
1) The Senpai-Kōhai Vertical Hierarchies in Japan
2) The Concepts of Uchi/Soto (inside/outside) and Hedataru/Najimu (personal space) in Japanese Human Relations

◼ Required Readings
• Textbook: “Sempai-Kōhai: Seniority Rules in Japanese Relations” (pp. 187-194), “Uchi to Soto: Dual Meanings in Japanese Human Relations” (pp. 217-222), “Hedataru to Najimu: Japanese Personal Space” (pp. 109-114).

◼ Supplementary Readings (Optional)
• Sano, K. (2014). The Study of the Senpai-Kouhai Culture in Junior High Schools in Japan. Sociological Insight, 6, 59-68.
• Bachnik, J., M. (1994). Introduction: uchi/soto: Challenging Our Conceptualizations of Self, Social Order, and Language. In Bachnik, J., M., & Quinn, Jr., C. J. (Eds.), Situated Meaning: Inside and Outside in Japanese Self, Society, and Language (pp. 3-37). Princeton, New Jersey: Princeton University Press.
• Quinn, Jr., C. J. (1994). The Terms uchi and soto as Windows on a World. In Bachnik, J., M., & Quinn, Jr., C. J. (Eds.), Situated Meaning: Inside and Outside in Japanese Self, Society, and Language (pp. 38-72). Princeton, New Jersey: Princeton University Press.

Japanese Human Relations II

◼ Lecture Content and Keywords

• Student individual presentations, open in-class discussions

Presentation Topics:
1) Japan’s Ie System
2) The Ikuji Childrearing Practices in Japan

◼ Required Readings
• Textbook: “The Japanese Ie System” (pp. 119-126), “Ikuji: Childrearing Practices in Japan” (pp. 135-142).
• Nagase, A., & Holloway, S. D. (2022). Childrearing in Japan. In Selin, H. (Ed.), Parenting Across Cultures: Childrearing, Motherhood and Fatherhood in Non-Western Cultures (pp. 119-134). Cham: Springer.

◼ Supplementary Readings (Optional)
• Shimizu, A. (1987). Ie and Dozoku: Family and Descent in Japan. Current Anthropology, 28(4), 85-90.
• Yamazaki, K. (1980). Transition of the Father’s Role in Japanese Family and Culture. Research and Clinical Center for Child Development Annual Report, 2, 43-53.
• Kojima, H. (1996). Japanese concepts of child development from the mid-17th to mid-19th century. International Journal of Behavioral Development, 9, 315-329.

Japanese Human Relations III

◼ Lecture Content and Keywords

• Student individual presentations, open in-class discussions

Presentation Topics:
1) Male and Female Relationships (Danjyo Kankei) in Japan
2) Marriage in Japan

◼ Required Readings
• Textbook: “Danjyo Kankei: Male and Female Relationships in Japan” (pp. 61-70), “Omiai: Arranged Marriage in Japan” (pp. 165-170).
• Imamura, A. E. (2008). Marriage in Japan: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow. Marriage and Family in Asia, 13(1), 25-29.

◼ Supplementary Readings (Optional)
• Kim, V., Balgoa, N., & Yamamoto, B. A. (2022). The Politics of International Marriage in Japan. New Brunswick: Rutgers University Press.
• Raymo, J. M., Uchikoshi, F., & Yoda, S. (2021). Marriage intentions, desires, and pathways to later and less marriage in Japan. Demographic Research, 44(3), 67-98.
• Sugano, N. (2007). Gender, Modern Japan, and the Reception of Confucianism. Teikyo Journal of History, 22, 258-249.

Roles and Social Expectations of Women in Japan

◼ Lecture Content and Keywords

• Student individual presentations, open in-class discussions

Presentation Topics:
1) Women’s Role in Japanese Society: Past and Present
2) Social Expectations of Women in Japan: Ryōsai Kenbo – “Good Wives and Wise Mothers”

◼ Required Readings
• Textbook: “Ryōsaikenbo – ‘Good Wives and Wise Mothers’: The Social Expectations of Women in Japan (pp. 179-186).
• Ramos, Ó, & Garcés, P. (2005). Japanese women’s role. Past and present. Bulletin of Portuguese – Japanese Studies, 10/11, 223-242.

◼ Supplementary Readings (Optional)
• Belarmino, M., & Roberts, M. R. (2019). Japanese Gender Role Expectations and Attitudes: A Qualitative Analysis of Gender Inequality. Journal of International Women's Studies, 20(7), 272-288.
• Nomura-Ichimasa, S. (2019). Japanese Women in the U.S. and the Formation of Japanese Gender Discourses: Depictions of Ryōsai-Kenbo (Good Wife and Wise Mother) in Japanese Women’s Magazines. English Language and Literature, 59, 87-111.
• Koyama, S. (2013). Ryōsai Kenbo: The Educational Ideal of “Good Wife, Wise Mother” in Modern Japan. Leiden & Boston: Brill Academic Publishers.

Japanese Cultural Values and Practices I: Aesthetics

◼ Lecture Content and Keywords

• Student individual presentations, open in-class discussions

Presentation Topics:
1) Japanese Aesthetics and Sense of Beauty (Bigaku)
2) The Japanese Aesthetic Ideals: Wabi-Sabi (Simplicity and Elegance), Mono no Aware (the Pathos of Things), Yūgen (Deep, Mysterious Grace)

◼ Required Readings
• Textbook: “Bigaku: The Japanese Sense of Beauty” (pp. 35-40), “Wabi-Sabi: Simplicity and Elegance as Japanese Ideals of Beauty” (pp. 223-232).
• Andrijauskas, A. (2003). Specific Features of Traditional Japanese Medieval Aesthetics. Dialogue and Universalism, 1-2, 199-220.

◼ Supplementary Readings (Optional)
• Prusinski, L. (2012). Wabi-Sabi, Mono No Aware, and Ma: Tracing Traditional Japanese Aesthetics Through Japanese History. Studies on Asia, IV, 2 (1), 25-49.
• Miller, M. (2011). Japanese Aesthetics and Philosophy of Art. In Edelglass, W., & Garfield, J. L. (Eds.), The Oxford Handbook of World Philosophy (pp. 317-333). New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
• Keene, D. (1969). Japanese Aesthetics. Philosophy East and West, 19(3), 293-306.

Japanese Cultural Values and Practices II: Samurai Ethics (Bushidō), Shame Culture

◼ Lecture Content and Keywords

• Student individual presentations, open in-class discussions

Presentation Topics:
1) Samurai Ethics (Bushidō): Origin, Characteristics, Historical and Present Perspectives
2) The Culture of Shame in Japan: Ruth Benedict’s “The Chrysanthemum and the Sword” - Discourse and Criticism

◼ Required Readings
• Textbook: “Bushidō: The Way of the Warrior” (pp. 41-50).
• Lebra, T. S. (1983). Shame and Guilt: A Psychocultural View of the Japanese Self. Ethos, 11(3), 192-209.

◼ Supplementary Readings (Optional)
• Yamamoto, S. (2019). The Social Possibilities of Economic Bushido: Inazo Nitobe’s Bushido: The Soul of Japan and its Application to Modern Society. Hokusei Review, Junior College, 17, 11-29.
• Benedict, R. (2005). The Chrysanthemum and the Sword: Patterns of Japanese Culture. Boston & New York, NY: Mariner Books.
• Lie, J. (2001). Ruth Benedict's Legacy of Shame: Orientalism and Occidentalism in the Study of Japan. Asian Journal of Social Science, 29(2), 249-261.
• Nitobe, I. (1904). Bushido: The Soul of Japan. Tokyo: Teibi Publishing Company. (“Sources of Bushido” (pp. 9-19), “The Influence of Bushido” (pp. 145-152)).

Japanese Cultural Values and Practices III: Tenacity (Ganbari), Amakudari (“Descent from Heaven”)

◼ Lecture Content and Keywords

• Student individual presentations, open in-class discussions
 
Presentation Topics:
1) The Culture of Tenacity (Ganbari) in Japan
2) The Practice of Amakudari (“descent from heaven”) in Japan

◼ Required Readings
• Textbook: “Gambari: Japanese Patience and Determination” (pp. 83-94), “Amakudari: Descent from Heaven” (pp. 23-34).

◼ Supplementary Readings (Optional)
• Rahman, K. M. (2008). Amakudari of Civil Servants in Japan: An Examination of the Vices and Virtues and Postulation of Reforms. Proceedings of the 25th Annual Conference of the Euro-Asia Management Studies Association (EAMSA), Doshisha Business School, Kyoto, Japan.
• Mizoguchi, T., & Quyen, N. V. (2009). Amakudari: The Post-Retirement Employment of Elite Bureaucrats in Japan. Journal of Public Economic Theory, 14(5), 813-847.
• Usui, C., & Colignon, R. A. (1995). Government Elites and Amakudari in Japan, 1963-1992. Asian Survey, 35(7), 682-698.

Japanese Cultural Values and Practices IV: Funerals (Sōshiki), Gift Giving (Zōtō)

◼ Lecture Content and Keywords

• Student individual presentations, open in-class discussions

Presentation Topics:
1) The Japanese Funerals (Sōshiki): Influences of Shinto and Buddhism, Modern Customs and Rituals
2) Zōtō: The Japanese Custom of Gift Giving

◼ Required Readings
• Textbook: “Sōshiki: Japanese Funerals” (pp. 201-216), “Zōtō: The Japanese Custom of Gift Giving” (pp. 233-244).

◼ Supplementary Readings (Optional)
• Murakami, K. (2000). Changes in Japanese Urban Funeral Customs during the Twentieth Century. Japanese Journal of Religious Studies, 27(3-4), 335-352.
• Guerin, T. (1998). The Social Aspects of Gift Exchange in Japan. Journal of Comparative Cultures, 2, 1-16.

Japanese Cultural Values and Practices V: the Sense of Seasons (Kisetsu), Folktales (Otogibanashi), the Concept of Dō, the Iitoko-Dori Phenomenon

◼ Lecture Content and Keywords

• Student individual presentations, open in-class discussions

Presentation Topics:
1) The Dō Spirit of Japan; the Iitoko-Dori Phenomenon
2) The Japanese Sense of Seasons (Kisetsu); the Japanese Folktales (Otogibanashi)

◼ Required Readings
• Textbook: “The Dō Spirit of Japan” (pp. 71-82), “Iitoko-Dori: Adopting Elements of Foreign Culture” (pp. 127-134), “Kisetsu: The Japanese Sense of Seasons” (pp. 153-158), “Otogibanashi: Folktales of Japan” (pp. 171-178).

◼ Supplementary Readings (Optional)
• Hirano, Y. (2017). The Relationship between Nature and Human Feelings in Heian waka. In Ruperti, B., Vesco, S., & Negri, C. (Eds.), Rethinking Nature in Japan: From Tradition to Modernity (pp. 9-26). Venezia: Edizioni Ca’ Foscari - Digital Publishing.
• Shirane, H. (2012). Japan and The Culture of the Four Seasons: Nature, Literature, and the Arts. New York: Columbia University Press.
• Mayer, F. H. (1974). Religious Concepts in the Japanese Folk Tale. Japanese Journal of Religious Studies, 1(1), 73-101.

Final Discussion and Course Review

◼ Lecture Content and Keywords

1) Course summary and review
2) Open in-class discussion on the course material and students’ perceptions after taking this class
3) Final feedback from the instructor

◼ Required Readings
N/A

◼ Supplementary Readings (Optional)
N/A

• Class preparation and performance: 20%
• Active participation in class discussions: 30%
• Individual oral presentation: 50%