Course Name Year Term Period Faculty / Graduate School All Instructors Credits
15626:IR18‐GE202 Japanese Society (RA) § 15627:IR-FS202 Japanese Society (RA) § 15628:RUIR-2615 Japanese Society(RA) 2023 Spring Wed3 College　Of　International　Relations CABANA ROJAS ISABEL MARGARITA 2

Campus

KIC

Class Venue

KOSHINKAN　KS209

Language

English

Course Outline and Method

This course will provide detailed analysis of a number of social and cultural phenomena in an attempt to construct an accurate picture of Japanese Society today. Topics addressed through this course include family, gender, race, work, education, economics, stratification, and inequality. Series of lectures will elaborate on how these aspects of Japanese society have been changing in the face of rapid globalization and aging society. Rather than looking for some sort of general explanation, this course aims to demonstrate the multifaceted reality of Japanese society and different perspectives with which to view such reality. This course is also an opportunity to study Japanese Society in English language and from an intercultural perspective.

The course consists of face-to-face classes. Students are required to participate in all in-class activities and small-group discussions, as well as to complete the assigned readings and assignments before each class.

Details on weekly readings and classes will be informed via Manaba+R. More details on the different evaluations and the final essay will be given at the beginning of the semester. At the end of the semester, students will submit a final essay about their research interest.

 

Student Attainment Objectives

Students will be able to:
- Obtain a comparative perspective to understand the complex and multifaceted reality of Japanese society.
- Understand the basic issues and problematics of twenty-first century Japanese Society from a historical perspective.
- Develop analytical and critical thinking tools that will help them to interpret their lives in Japan and abroad.
- Express and share their ideas about Japanese Society and receive written or verbal feedback throughout the semester.

Recommended Preparatory Course

Course Schedule

Lecture/Instructor（When there are multiple instructors) Theme
Keyword, References and Supplementary Information
Week 1

[Hybrid] Introduction

A brief summary of the system and major objectives, evaluations, grades of this course

Week 2

[in-person] The Lost Decades of Japan

Bubble Economy,' Demography, Aging Society

Week 3

[in-person] Social Stratification and Disparities

Middle-Class, Social Mobility, 'Kakusa-Shakai,' Education System

Week 4

[in-person] Work

Job Market, Life-Time Employment, Non-Regular Employment

Week 5

[in-person] Family

Marriage, Family, 'Ie,' Village, 'Mura,' 'Hikikomori,' 'Single Parasite'

Week 6

[in-person] Gender

Gender Gap, Welfare System, Gender Roles

Week 7

[in-person] Discourse on Japanese Culture

'Nihonjinron,' Japaneseness, the Myth of Homogeneity

Week 8

[in-person] Emigration and Immigration

Pre-War and Recent Emigration, Colonial immigration, Nikkeijin, New Comers, Labor Immigration

Week 9

[in-person] Racism in Japan

Ethnic Minorities, Indigenous Populations, Lower Caste

Week 10

[Hybrid] Active Learning

Movie/documentary screenings with regard to the course, and Discussion

Week 11

[in-person] Globalization and Japan

Global City, Global Flow of Commodities, Post-Colonialism

Week 12

[in-person] Multiculturalism in Japan

Multicultural Coexistence, Tabunka-Kyousei, Disaster, Grass-Roots Multiculturalism

Week 13

[in-person] Popular culture and Everyday life

Media, entertainment, 'Cool Japan', Religious life

Week 14

[in-person] Intersectionality in Contemporary Japan,

-Gender and Race, Experience of Otherness, Mixed-Roots, LGBTQ
-Peer-Review of Final Essay

Week 15

[in-person] Wrap Up, Final Assessment

Course Conclusion and Finals Submission

Class Format

BCP停止の場合は、BCPレベル0～2の記載どおりに授業が行われます。
During the suspension period of BCP, classes will be as described in BCP levels 0-2.

The class Format for each class will be announced on manaba+R’s course news. Also, the class format for the first class will be notified on manaba+R’s course news before the first class(*).
For “Special Consideration”, please check manaba+R’s College of IR Student Page and the “Study Support Site”.

College of IR Student Page：https://ct.ritsumei.ac.jp/ct/course_1728150
Study Support Site：https://www.ritsumei.ac.jp/pathways-future/eng/

(*)To check the class format for the first class of the course, you will need to apply for the “early use request function.” Refer to the Registration Guidebook AY 2023 for details. Please be careful that applying for the early use request does not sign you up for the course. You will need to register for courses during the designated period separately.

Recommendations for Private Study

This course requires weekly readings and participation out and in-class. Students should work the assigned reading materials beforehand, and come prepared to every lecture to discuss in small groups. Readings are between 10 to 15 pages depending on the week and the difficulty of the text. Students are expected to critically engage with the week topics through the readings, and write their reflections in Manaba+R. Students should expect to spend between 2 to 4 hours preparing for each class.

By the end of the semester, students will have a cumulative set of knowledge and readings about Japan and Japanese society that will contribute positively in the elaboration of the final essay.

As for preparation for the final essay, students will be encouraged to start working from the beginning of the course. The final essay should take about 15-20 hours to complete.

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

Students will be graded on their participation in class activities, their preparation for classroom discussion (writing reflections), and their performance on the final essay.

These assignments are weighted the below
Class participation/Attendance: 40%
Final essay: 60%

Extra grades may be awarded in case of outstanding in-class/essay performance, and vice versa.

Grade Evaluation Method （Note）

- Students must complete all course requirements in order to receive a passing grade.
- More details on each item and evaluation criteria will be given at the beginning of the semester.

Advice to Students on Study and Research Methods

The quality of our conversation and dialogue each week is entirely dependent on your commitment to reading, and thinking about the readings, prior to every class. Please come prepared.
This course encourages students to actively engage in group discussions.
Weekly readings will not only provide you with a better understanding of the contents of the class, but will directly contribute to your final essay.
You are always welcome to communicate directly with the instructor via email.

Textbooks

Textbooks （Frequency of Use, Note）

There is no particular textbook for this course. The assigned readings will be uploaded weekly on Manaba+R.

Reference Books

Title Author Publisher ISBN Code Comment
Understanding Japanese Society Joy Hendry Routledge 0815385870

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)

Learning Management System （manaba+R）,Talk with Students,Other (Separate instructions will be provided)

Other Comments

Please note that all items in the syllabus, except for the grading criteria, are subject to change.
【科目ナンバリング・カリキュラムマップはこちらから/Click here to see the Curriculum-Map and Course-Numbering】
URL:https://secure.ritsumei.ac.jp/students/pathways-future/course/curriculum.html/