62056101 Contemporary Issues of Japan

Hiroshima University Syllabus

Japanese

Academic Year 2024Year School/Graduate School Liberal Arts Education Program

Lecture Code 62056101 Subject Classification Area Courses

Subject Name Contemporary Issues of Japan

Subject Name
（Katakana）

Subject Name in
English Contemporary Issues of Japan

Instructor KAWAMOTO NAOE

Instructor
(Katakana) カワモト　ナオエ

Campus Higashi-Hiroshima Semester/Term 1st-Year, First Semester, 1Term

Days, Periods, and Classrooms (1T) Fri5-8：IAS K310

Lesson Style Lecture Lesson Style
(More Details) 　

Lecture, Discussion, Group work
This class is conducted in person.

Credits 2.0 Class Hours/Week 　 Language of Instruction E : English

Course Level 1 : Undergraduate Introductory

Course Area（Area） 23 : Arts and Humanities

Course Area（Discipline） 14 : Cultural Studies

Eligible Students All undergraduate students and HUSA students

Keywords Japan, Culture, Society
Practical experience

Special Subject for Teacher Education 　 Special Subject 　

Class Status within
Liberal Arts Education Area Courses（Courses in Arts and Humanities/Social Sciences)　Category：Anthropology / Geography / History
Expected Outcome 1. To be able to explain the formation and development processes and contemporary issues of each academic discipline.
2. To be able to explain historical and contemporary issues that span multiple academic disciplines from multifaceted perspectives.

Class Objectives
/Class Outline This course aims students to learn Japanese culture and society from various viewpoints and to practice cultural competency (or the ability to understand, interact, and work well with people of different cultures).

Class Schedule Lessons 1 & 2 (April 12)
Introduction to the course
Foundations of Japan

Lessons 3 & 4 (April 19)
Ie (家): Japan’s family system

Lessons 5 & 6 (April 26)
Socialization: how children are educated/disciplined in a family

Lessons 7 & 8 (May 1) 【Wednesday: Substitute class day】
The education system

Lessons 9 & 10 (May 10)
Classification and ethnic diversity in Japan

Lessons 11 & 12 (May 17)
Working life in Japan

Lessons 13 & 14 (May 24)
Government and the craft of politics

Lesson 15 (May 31)
Review

Term-end report
*Details will be announced in the class.

Note: Schedule is subject to change.

Text/Reference
Books,etc. Handouts will be distributed in class.

PC or AV used in
Class,etc. 　

(More Details) DVD, PC

Learning techniques to be incorporated 　

Suggestions on
Preparation and
Review Homework is assigned in all classes. Finish homework and submit them in time. Late submission will NOT be accepted.

Requirements Please note the following points.

1. Bring your laptop to the classroom
You will work in a group or individually in each class and upload a task sheet to Moodle. You will also fill in the online comment sheet in class. Task sheets and comment sheets are included in the evaluation. Make sure to bring your laptop to the classroom.

2. Study in English
In this course, handouts provided are written in English. Students will discuss, give a presentation, and write a term paper in English. No Japanese explanations and translations will be given in class.

3. Discussions and group work
Students will have discussions and group works in almost every class. Active participation is required. Students are expected to constructively express their ideas, opinions, suggestions, etc., during the discussion.

4. This course is not a cultural experience class
Students will learn about Japan's culture and society through lectures and discussions from sociological perspectives.

Grading Method In-class tasks and reflection sheet 30%
Homework 30%
Term-end report 40%

Practical Experience Experienced

Summary of Practical Experience and Class Contents based on it Based on instructor's experience teaching in Japan and abroad, provide a relative view of Japanese society and culture.

Message

Other The maximum number of students in this course is 50. If the registered number of students exceeds the quota, the Student Support Office will choose students by a lot.

Please fill in the class improvement questionnaire which is carried out on all classes.
Instructors will reflect on your feedback and utilize the information for improving their teaching.

Academic Year	2024Year	School/Graduate School	Liberal Arts Education Program
Lecture Code	62056101	Subject Classification	Area Courses
Subject Name	Contemporary Issues of Japan
Subject Name （Katakana）
Subject Name in English	Contemporary Issues of Japan
Instructor	KAWAMOTO NAOE
Instructor (Katakana)	カワモト　ナオエ
Campus	Higashi-Hiroshima	Semester/Term	1st-Year, First Semester, 1Term
Days, Periods, and Classrooms	(1T) Fri5-8：IAS K310
Lesson Style	Lecture	Lesson Style (More Details)
Lecture, Discussion, Group work This class is conducted in person.
Credits	2.0	Class Hours/Week		Language of Instruction	E : English
Course Level	1 : Undergraduate Introductory
Course Area（Area）	23 : Arts and Humanities
Course Area（Discipline）	14 : Cultural Studies
Eligible Students	All undergraduate students and HUSA students
Keywords	Japan, Culture, Society Practical experience
Special Subject for Teacher Education		Special Subject
Class Status within Liberal Arts Education	Area Courses（Courses in Arts and Humanities/Social Sciences)　Category：Anthropology / Geography / History
Expected Outcome	1. To be able to explain the formation and development processes and contemporary issues of each academic discipline. 2. To be able to explain historical and contemporary issues that span multiple academic disciplines from multifaceted perspectives.
Class Objectives /Class Outline	This course aims students to learn Japanese culture and society from various viewpoints and to practice cultural competency (or the ability to understand, interact, and work well with people of different cultures).
Class Schedule	Lessons 1 & 2 (April 12) Introduction to the course Foundations of Japan Lessons 3 & 4 (April 19) Ie (家): Japan’s family system Lessons 5 & 6 (April 26) Socialization: how children are educated/disciplined in a family Lessons 7 & 8 (May 1) 【Wednesday: Substitute class day】 The education system Lessons 9 & 10 (May 10) Classification and ethnic diversity in Japan Lessons 11 & 12 (May 17) Working life in Japan Lessons 13 & 14 (May 24) Government and the craft of politics Lesson 15 (May 31) Review Term-end report *Details will be announced in the class. Note: Schedule is subject to change.
Text/Reference Books,etc.	Handouts will be distributed in class.
PC or AV used in Class,etc.
(More Details)	DVD, PC
Learning techniques to be incorporated
Suggestions on Preparation and Review	Homework is assigned in all classes. Finish homework and submit them in time. Late submission will NOT be accepted.
Requirements	Please note the following points. 1. Bring your laptop to the classroom You will work in a group or individually in each class and upload a task sheet to Moodle. You will also fill in the online comment sheet in class. Task sheets and comment sheets are included in the evaluation. Make sure to bring your laptop to the classroom. 2. Study in English In this course, handouts provided are written in English. Students will discuss, give a presentation, and write a term paper in English. No Japanese explanations and translations will be given in class. 3. Discussions and group work Students will have discussions and group works in almost every class. Active participation is required. Students are expected to constructively express their ideas, opinions, suggestions, etc., during the discussion. 4. This course is not a cultural experience class Students will learn about Japan's culture and society through lectures and discussions from sociological perspectives.
Grading Method	In-class tasks and reflection sheet 30% Homework 30% Term-end report 40%
Practical Experience	Experienced
Summary of Practical Experience and Class Contents based on it	Based on instructor's experience teaching in Japan and abroad, provide a relative view of Japanese society and culture.
Message
Other	The maximum number of students in this course is 50. If the registered number of students exceeds the quota, the Student Support Office will choose students by a lot.
Please fill in the class improvement questionnaire which is carried out on all classes. Instructors will reflect on your feedback and utilize the information for improving their teaching.

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