Japanese Culture Viewed Globally

1Grade

2.00Credits

semester not specified

Timothy Woolstencroft

Taught in English. This is an advanced-level English course.

Togane Campus

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

· Show an improved understanding of how human civilization has developed and what has led to its development
· Identify the various aspects of human civilization and more localized societies
· Explore the specific elements that make up Japanese society as well as other cultures and societies  

· Examine and discuss the various elements that make up modern Japanese society  
· Assess to what extent Japanese society is ‘unique’ and analyze representations of Japan around the world
· Show an understanding of the meaning of semiotics, symbols, and stereotypes as they relate to Japanese society

· Understand the current and future challenges that face Japan and the wider world
· Consider the future of Japanese society in a global context and the projected impact of globalism in a wider sense
· Summarize and review of the course contents  

In this course, we will look at the various elements that make up a society, as well as examining how modern Japanese culture and society is commonly stereotyped.  

We will take also a more detailed look at the various institutions that make up modern societies (including educational and legal institutions), before examining how these institutions are influenced by the society in which they exist, and in turn have a major influence on the way our societies develop.  

We will also look at future challenges faced by all societies as globalization impacts every aspect of our lives.

What makes us human?
-Origins of human civilization
-Looking at shared origins and developments and how these have been adapted and developed by individual cultures and societes

Preparing for the course and pre-course reading assignments

Review and post-lesson activities/reading assignments for lesson 1

Development of human society 1 - Food, power, government, and laws
-Looking at how Japanese food culture has developed
-Looking at the Japanese government and power structure

Pre-lesson homework activities/reading assignments for lesson 2

Review and post-lesson activities/reading assignments for lesson 2

Development of human society 2 - Writing, philosophy, and the arts
-Looking at how art and literature has developed in Japan
-Analyzing the arts in pre-/post-bubble Japan
-Gender representation in the arts in Japan

Pre-lesson homework activities/reading assignments for lesson 3

Review and post-lesson activities/reading assignments for lesson 3

Images of modern Japan – Representations of Japan in the media
-Representations of Japan in domestic media
-Representations of Japan in foreign media
-The changing face of Japan and how it is seen around the world

Pre-lesson homework activities/reading assignments for lesson 4

Review and post-lesson activities/reading assignments for lesson 4

Images of modern Japan - Stereotypes, semiotics, signs, and symbols
-Common stereotypes in representations of Japan by the international media
-An introduction to semiotics
-The role of signs and symbols in Japanese society

Pre-lesson homework activities/reading assignments for lesson 5

Review and post-lesson activities/reading assignments for lesson 5

Presentation 1 - Poster presentation
-Poster representing how you see Japan and its culture
-Explaining the contents and meanings behind the images in your poster

Pre-lesson homework activities/reading assignments for lesson 6 and preparation for poster presentation

Review and post-lesson activities/reading assignments for lesson 6 and submission of poster together with explanation

Aspects of contemporary Japan 1 - Masculinity and gender
-Looking at traditional gender roles and stereotypes in Japan
-Changes in gender roles and remaining issues in contemporary Japan

Pre-lesson homework activities/reading assignments for lesson 7

Review and post-lesson activities/reading assignments for lesson 7

Aspects of contemporary Japan 2 – Nihonjinron, Eurocentrism and how Japan is viewed globally
-What is Nihonjinron?
-Japan seen locally and Japan seen globally

Pre-lesson homework activities/reading assignments for lesson 8

Review and post-lesson activities/reading assignments for lesson 8

Contemporary Japanese media, entertainment, and leisure
-Themes in contemporary Japanese media and entertainment
-Traditional Japanese leisure activities versus contemporary Japanese leisure activities

Pre-lesson homework activities/reading assignments for lesson 9

Review and post-lesson activities/reading assignments for lesson 9

Contemporary clothes and fashion
-Fashion trends in post-war Japan
-Current (and future) trends and movements

Pre-lesson homework activities/reading assignments for lesson 10

Review and post-lesson activities/reading assignments for lesson 10

Contemporary education
-The modern Japanese education system
-The role of education in modern Japan

Pre-lesson homework activities/reading assignments for lesson 11

Review and post-lesson activities/reading assignments for lesson 11

Contemporary law and politics
-The post-war constitution and the establishment of post-war Japan
-The role of law in contemporary Japan
-Trends in contemporary Japanese politics

Pre-lesson homework activities/reading assignments for lesson 12

Review and post-lesson activities/reading assignments for lesson 12 and preparation for the final report

Final Report presentation
-Discussing and presenting issues raised in your final report

Preparing for Final Report presentation

Completing and submitting Final Report

In order to meet the individual lesson and course objectives, students are required to actively engage in discussion and communication activities, as well as self-reflection activities, in addition to completing pre- and post-lesson tasks.

Students will be assessed on a continual basis through their class participation and group discussions, pre-and post-lesson tasks, presentations and reports.

ASSESSMENT AND GRADING
Class participation and group discussions - 45%
Pre- and Post-lesson Tasks - 15%
Poster Presentation - 15%
Final Report - 15%

Feedback on tests and assignments:
Explanation during next class (Reading assignments and In-class presentations)
Written feedback (Feedback report and Final Report)