| Course Name | Year | Term | Period | Faculty / Graduate School | All Instructors | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13074:[2025 Fall]IR18‐EE333 Topics in Identity (RB) § 13075:RUIR-3522 Topics in Identity(RB) § 13076:IR-ECS202 Gender Analysis of Security and Development (RB) | 2025 | Fall | Thu3 | College Of International Relations | KIM WACHUTKA JACKIE J | 2 |
Campus
Class Venue
Language
Course Outline and Method
Information for “+R-Jugyo” will be posted on the “Course News” on manaba+R by September 20. Be sure to check the “Course News” on manaba+R.
Globalization has brought an expanse world under a single umbrella of imaginary. Uniformity and conformity can be highlighted as essence of globalization making the endlessly broad world close and tangible. Yet, new social orders, geo-political blocs, and culture wars make “world” in a singularity difficult to fathom as advancements of technologies and social media creates temporary realities and ephemeral interludes in virtual space. Globalization seen through the lens of cultural studies can be analyzed within a distinct bifurcation – 1) global cultural phenomenon, a wave of popularity in a worldwide trend and 2) return to indigenous cultures, its purpose and meaning of discovery and rediscovery contingent upon, and in reaction to, changes within the transitioning social and historical milieu. Within the minute by minute, second by second zig-zag of information within a global virtual highway, we witness the birth, rebirth, and hybridity of cultures. Within media portals and virtual platforms self-expression and identity-making are done and redone in real-time, depending on the intention and purpose of a specific moment in time. Culture then has the potential to stem from one’s “own,” through rituals, behaviors, habits, likes and alignments to revolving into a shared “commodity,” which infuse and merge giving birth to a new kind of alchemy. How can we analyze the ever-changing trends within the lens of global and local cultural expressions and performativity? Is the merging of cultures visible and discernible? Are the reasons, intentions and motives of cultural trends identifiable? What are the dynamics and social messages of subcultures, and other underground and dissident reactions?
This course will analyze global trends and individual practice of beauty, street-style fashions, the concept of fans, fandom and Otaku, subcultures underground music scene, dance, fashioning Japanese subcultures, Cool-Kawaii culture, food-cultures, branding the nation/ promoting the local, K-pop and its influence, indigenous cultures – its authenticity, consumption and performativity.
Student Attainment Objectives
2) Students will hone their listening skills during academic lectures.
3) Students will think critically of important social and political issues.
4) Students will share their findings in the form of an oral presentation, and provide, receive and integrate feedback from their peers.
5) Students will research a specific community, society, group or organization of their choice and present their findings in a detailed manner, utilizing both qualitative and quantitative methods.
6) Students will practice the techniques of reading and gathering various information, writing concise and clear hand-outs and presentation skills.
7) Students will practice their academic skills by highlighting main overall themes, recognizing an overarching theory and defining specific praxis.
Recommended Preparatory Course
Course Schedule
| Lecture/Instructor（When there are multiple instructors) | Theme |
|---|---|
| Keyword, References and Supplementary Information | |
| 1-1 |
+R Jugyo
|
What is the concept of sociological imagination within a global society? |
|
| 2-2 |
Lecture #2 Defining Culture and Society.
|
Group discussion -- How to define, identify, and present personal culture, social culture, and society?
|
|
| 3-3 |
Lecture #3 Global Trends and Individual Practice -- Global beauty standards and unifying trends.
|
Group discussion -- Describe your concept of beauty. Is there a unifying global fashion trend? |
|
| 4-4 | Lecture #4 Global Trends and Individual Practice -- Fashioning Japanese subcultures, Cool-Kawaii culture. Read Kelly’s “Fanning the Flames” – Fans and Consumer Culture in Contemporary Japan” pp. 1-13. Read Lieber-Milo & Nittono “From Word to a Commercial Power,” pp. 13-32. |
Group Discussion -- Do you think that subculture on fashion trends have a global impact? |
|
| 5-5 | Lecture #5 Global Trends and Individual Practice -- Fandom, subcultures, underground music scene, dance. Read Condry’s “B. Boys and B. Girls in Kelly, pp. 17-36. |
Group Discussion -- Rap, Hip-hop, Butoh, Otaku -- What social influence and impact do these have? |
|
| 6-6 | Lecture #6 Global Trends and Individual Practice -- Food-cultures, branding the nation/ promoting the local. K-pop, J-pop and its influence, Indigenous cultures – its authenticity, consumption and performativity. Read Jung’s “Korean Masculinities and Transcultural Consumption,” pp. 1-33. |
Group Discussion -- Soft Power Diplomacy -- Can you identify them and their influence in your life? |
|
| 7-7 |
Group presentation discussion on topics from Lecture #1-5
|
Group presentation discussion on topics from Lecture #1-5
|
|
| 8-8 | Group presentation topics from Lecture #1-6 |
Group presentation – 15-20 minute powerpoint presentation |
|
| 9-9 | Group presentation topics from Lecture #1-6 |
Group presentation topics from Lecture #1-6
|
|
| 10-10 |
Short Final Test
|
Short Final Test
|
|
| 11-11 | Final Presentation |
Final Presentation and Class discussion |
|
| 12-12 | Final Presentation |
Final Presentation and Class discussion |
|
| 13-13 | Final Presentation |
Final Presentation and Class discussion |
|
| 14-14 | Final wrap-up discussion |
Final wrap-up discussion |
Class Format
Recommendations for Private Study
Grade Evaluation Method
| Kind | Percentage | Grading Criteria etc. |
|---|---|---|
| Final Examination (Written) | ||
| Report Examination (A report to be submitted by the unified deadline) |
||
| Exams and/or Reports other than those stated above, and Continuous Assessment (Evaluation of Everyday Performance in Class) |
100 | •Active Participation (homework, attendance, discussion, pop quiz on reading, written works) 20%
|
Grade Evaluation Method （Note）
Test will be from assigned readings and lectures. Therefore, class attendance is crucial.
Students must actively participate.
***Missed test cannot be made-up without a legitimate doctor's note.
***No late assignments will be accepted.
***All submissions are through Manaba. No submissions through e-mail without instructor's permission.
Advice to Students on Study and Research Methods
Textbooks
Textbooks （Frequency of Use, Note）
Reference Books
| Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN Code | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Contemporary Social Theory | Anthony Elliott and Charles Lemert | 12100121972 | ||
| Fragmentation, Fortification Global Identity Consumption | Copy in Manaba | |||
| Beauty Up | Laura Miller | Copy in Manaba | ||
| Fandom Unbound | Ito, Okabe, Tsuji | Copy in Manaba | ||
| Fashioning Japanese Subcultures | Copy in Manaba | |||
| Cool Kawaii | Copy in Manaba | |||
| Butoh | Copy in Manaba | |||
| Performing Body During and After Cold War | Copy in Manaba | |||
| Arts and Human Rights | Copy in Manaba |
Reference Books （Frequency of Use, Note）
Web Pages for Reference
How to Communicate with the Instructor In and Out of Class(Including Instructor Contact Information)
Other Comments
***Course studies and submission of assignments will be conducted via manaba+R.
***“Reading materials” will be uploaded on either Manaba or One-Drive and submissions will be made through the same portals.
*** This is a tentative schedule and changes may occur according to circumstances and levels of students.
*** Attendance will be taken during each class through Manaba. All important submissions such as quizzes, tests, and written works will be explained in full detail through written instructions and in class.
***Works submitted without permission through e-mail will not be accepted.
*** Late submissions are not accepted without legitimate reason.
URL:https://secure.ritsumei.ac.jp/students/pathways-future/course/curriculum.html/