Course Name Year Term Period Faculty / Graduate School All Instructors Credits
15928:IR18‐GE202 Japanese Society (RB) § 15929:IR-FS202 Japanese Society (RB) § 15930:RUIR-2615 Japanese Society(RB) 2022 Fall Wed2 College　Of　International　Relations CABANA ROJAS ISABEL MARGARITA 2

Campus

KIC

Class Venue

YOYOKAN　YY202

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.

 

Student Attainment Objectives

Students will obtain a comparative perspective to understand the complex and multifaceted reality of Japanese society.

Recommended Preparatory Course

Course Schedule

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

Orientation

A brief summary and lecture of the major objects of this course

2

The Lost Decades of Japan

Bubble Economy,' Demography, Aging Society

3

Social Stratification and Disparities

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

4

Work

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

5

Family

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

6

Gender

Gender Gap, Welfare System, Gender Roles

7

Discourse on Japanese Culture

'Nihonjinron,' Japaneseness, the Myth of Homogeneity

8

Emigration and Immigration

Pre-War and Recent Emigration, Expats, Locally-employed, Colonial immigration, New Comers, Labor Immigration

9

Racism in Japan

Ethnic Minorities, Indigenous Populations, Lower Caste

10

Active Learning

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

11

Globalization and Japan

Global City, Global Flow of Commodities, Post-Colonialism

12

Multiculturalism in Japan

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

13

Popular culture and Everyday life

Media, entertainment, and 'Cool Japan'

14

Intersectionality in Contemporary Japan

Gender and Race, Experience of Otherness, Mixed-Roots, LGBTQ, Black Lives Matter in Japan

15

Wrap Up, Finals

Course Conclusion and Finals Submission

Class Format

The general principle regarding the class format, unless agreed by the members of the class on a different class format, is as below.

[BCP Level 1 or 2]
- More than half the total number of classes are to be conducted face-to-face (or in a hybrid form). The remaining classes are to be conducted web-based.
- Contact information of the course instructor will be provided on the manaba+R course page before the first class.
- The first class will be conducted entirely web-based since the number of students registered for the first class is not yet fixed.
- If the number of registered students exceeds 50% of the classroom capacity; the instructor may divide the students into two groups to adjust attendance and conduct classes in a hybrid format or switch to web-based classes for all classes.
- If the BCP Level is changed to 3 or higher during the semester, all classes are to be conducted web-based (face-to-face classes will not be conducted).

[Conditions for web-based follow-up]
(1) When a student has a pre-existing condition/underlying health condition.
(2) When it is difficult for a student to commute to university due to concerns over putting co-habiting family members at risk.
(3) When a student is unable to enter Japan due to international travel restrictions.
(4) Other valid reasons when a student has been impacted by COVID-19 and is under an unavoidable situation for which they are not responsible for.

[BCP Level 3 or 4]
- In principle, all classes are to be conducted web-based. The format of the web-based classes will be announced on the manaba+R course page.
- Face-to-face classes may be resumed if the BCP Level is changed to 2 or lower during the semester.

※For more information on Ritsumeikan University's BCP Level, please refer to the following URL, Point No.1 “Measures to prevent spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).”
http://en.ritsumei.ac.jp/news/detail/?id=475

*There is also possible to change to another class format, for example all classes can be web-based classes if there is an agreement among the members of the class.*

Recommendations for Private Study

A list of readings, along with a more detailed syllabus will be provided on the first day of class. Students should have finished the assigned reading materials beforehand and come prepared to every lecture to discuss.
As for preparation of the final essay, from the contents of this course, students will 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 in-class activities, their preparation for classroom discussion, their performance on the final essay.

These assignments are weighted the below
In-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）

Reserving the right to refusal of permission for a make-up/late assignment, only if the course instructor feels it's not warranted.

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）

The class textbook will be announced in the 1st session of the course.

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 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:http://www.ritsumei.ac.jp//students/pathways-future/course/curriculum.html