科目名	Exploring Japanese Society
単位数	2.0
担当者	Masae YUASA
履修時期	Spring Semester
履修対象	Exchange students and 3rd year students and above (a TOEIC score of at least 600 is required).
講義形態	演習
講義の目的	This is a sociology class designed primarily for exchange students. Using a popular text of Japanese Studies in English, students will learn about various aspects of Japanese society. Additionally, this class includes some fieldwork, such as visiting and interviewing Japanese people; observing what and how Japanese are doing things; and watching Japanese movies. Students will examine “common sense” notions about Japan, discussing both knowledge from the textbook and what they have experienced in their fieldwork.
到達目標	This course aims to train your critical thinking skills. Seminar and fieldwork require substantial cooperation with both other students and people you encounter in the field. In discussions, you are also encouraged to collaborate with others.
受講要件	None
履修取消の可否	可
履修取消不可の理由
事前・事後学修	You need to do the assigned reading before each class and prepare a presentation on the chapter assigned to you. After the fieldwork, you need to submit a report on the fieldwork.
講義内容	Introduction Five to six topics will be chosen from the following 12 chapters of the textbook, according to the participants’ preference. Each topic will be dealt with over a period of two or three weeks, including fieldwork and discussions. 1. Sources of Japanese Identity 2. The House and Family System 3. Socialisation and Classi?cation 4. Community and Neighbourhood 5. The Education System 6. Status, Hierarchy and Ethnic Diversity 7. Religious In?uences 8. Ritual and the Life Cycle 9. Opportunities for Working Life 10. Arts, Entertainment and Leisure 11. Government and the Craft of Politics 12. The Legal System and Social Control in a Global World Final Presentation: Students need to present what they have learnt from the course, using PowerPoint.
期末試験実施の有無	実施しない
評価方法・基準	Final Presentation (50%) PPT Presentations and Assignments related to fieldwork (50%)
教科書等	Joy Hendry, 2019, Understanding Japanese Society (5th ed.), Routledge.
担当者プロフィール	Masae YUASA is a sociologist who earned her Ph.D at the University of Sheffield (UK). She has recently been working on Japanese pacifism, Black Rain Hibakusha and Fukushima issues. Her recent academic works include Challenging Nuclear Pacifism (Routledge 2024) and ‘Out of Shadow: A collaborative arts performance for the black rain hibakusha’ (Journal of Applied Arts & Health, 2016). Other than academic works she has produced art performances with the theme of nuclear issues and organized several anti-nuclear campaigns.
講義に関連する実務経験
課題や試験に対するフィードバック	Instructor will evaluate and comment on your final presentation.
アクティブ・ラーニング	Fieldwork, discussion, reflection
キーワード	Japanese society, basic sociology, fieldwork
備考	The course schedule will be modified according to the number and learning speed of participants.