WND26008 Tutorial Seminar in Special Topics

Hiroshima University Syllabus

Japanese

Academic Year 2024Year School/Graduate School Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences (Master's Course) Division of Educational Sciences Teaching Japanese as a Second Language Program

Lecture Code WND26008 Subject Classification Specialized Education

Subject Name 特別研究

Subject Name
（Katakana）

Subject Name in
English Tutorial Seminar in Special Topics

Instructor NISHIMURA HIROSHI

Instructor
(Katakana) ニシムラ　ヒロシ

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

Days, Periods, and Classrooms (1st) Thur5-6：Faculty Office

Lesson Style Seminar Lesson Style
(More Details) 　

Handouts, discussions and lectures, and frequent use of blackboard

Credits 1.0 Class Hours/Week 　 Language of Instruction J : Japanese

Course Level 6 : Graduate Advanced

Course Area（Area） 24 : Social Sciences

Course Area（Discipline） 05 : Sociology

Eligible Students Open only to students who write a master thesis under the guidance by NISHIMURA

Keywords Cultural research, cultural theory, research on Japan, cultural sociology, historical sociology

Special Subject for Teacher Education 　 Special Subject 　

Class Status
within Educational
Program
(Applicable only to targeted subjects for undergraduate students)
Criterion referenced
Evaluation
(Applicable only to targeted subjects for undergraduate students)

Class Objectives
/Class Outline Mainly based on cultural sociology and historical sociology, this course will present easy-to-understand explanations on a wide variety of cultures. Focusing on diversity in Japan, students in this course will consider diverse aspects of this country from the perspectives of history and sociology, and obtain the basic ideas needed when considering culture.

Class Schedule lesson1:Discuss the concept of “culture,” which is the cornerstone of this class.
lesson2:You sometimes feel “ difference of culture.” Consider this “ difference”, using magazines.
lesson3:Consider what difference and sameness are, before concluding the relevant culture is different.
lesson4:Learn about essentialism and constructionism, which are integral to considering culture.
lesson5:Consider the merits and demerits of the relativism of culture.
lesson6:It might be too simple to consider something as a phenomenon of cultural diffusion. Consider this problem, using Shoichi Inoue’s discussion on Horyuji Temple’s pillar.
lesson7:After listening to the explanation on the concept of the “invention of tradition,” consider specific examples of the nvention of tradition around you.
lesson8:The invention of tradition has not only negative aspects but also useful ones. Consider the invention of tradition from both angles.
lesson9:Using manga as a reference material, consider what it means to describe culture.
lesson10:Using Soba Noodles and Kishimen Noodles by Yoshinori ＳShimizu, consider strange points of cultural studies.
lesson11:What does “Osaka” represent? Using a study by Isamu Kuroda, consider this question.
lesson12:It is certain that misleading representation is sometimes troublesome, but if there is no representation, what will happen?
lesson13:The empiricism is not bad, but consider that an extreme dependence on empiricism sometimes renders communication
dysfunctional.
lesson14:Review Japan from the perspectives of “east and west” and　“north and south,” rather than a single entity.
lesson15:Learn from movies that are useful for cultural research.
An examination will be held. Focus will be placed not only on knowledge but also on ways of thinking.

Text/Reference
Books,etc. Discussion & lecture-oriented, and frequent use of a blackboard: documents will be handed out, if necessary.

PC or AV used in
Class,etc. 　

(More Details) Texts, handouts, audio materials, and visual materials (video/PC/ and other visual materials)

Learning techniques to be incorporated 　

Suggestions on
Preparation and
Review Assignment instructions will be given each time.
1-5: Read designated magazines.
5-8: Read designated descriptions from a cultural anthropology dictionary and take notes on your impressions.
9-10: Read reference material copies.
11-14: Read designated manga or watch designated movies.

Requirements Open only to students who write a master thesis under the guidance by NISHIMURA

Grading Method Students attending this class are required to take a three-hour writing test in Japanese.

Practical Experience

Summary of Practical Experience and Class Contents based on it

Message

Other

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	Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences (Master's Course) Division of Educational Sciences Teaching Japanese as a Second Language Program
Lecture Code	WND26008	Subject Classification	Specialized Education
Subject Name	特別研究
Subject Name （Katakana）
Subject Name in English	Tutorial Seminar in Special Topics
Instructor	NISHIMURA HIROSHI
Instructor (Katakana)	ニシムラ　ヒロシ
Campus	Higashi-Hiroshima	Semester/Term	1st-Year, First Semester, First Semester
Days, Periods, and Classrooms	(1st) Thur5-6：Faculty Office
Lesson Style	Seminar	Lesson Style (More Details)
Handouts, discussions and lectures, and frequent use of blackboard
Credits	1.0	Class Hours/Week		Language of Instruction	J : Japanese
Course Level	6 : Graduate Advanced
Course Area（Area）	24 : Social Sciences
Course Area（Discipline）	05 : Sociology
Eligible Students	Open only to students who write a master thesis under the guidance by NISHIMURA
Keywords	Cultural research, cultural theory, research on Japan, cultural sociology, historical sociology
Special Subject for Teacher Education		Special Subject
Class Status within Educational Program (Applicable only to targeted subjects for undergraduate students)
Criterion referenced Evaluation (Applicable only to targeted subjects for undergraduate students)
Class Objectives /Class Outline	Mainly based on cultural sociology and historical sociology, this course will present easy-to-understand explanations on a wide variety of cultures. Focusing on diversity in Japan, students in this course will consider diverse aspects of this country from the perspectives of history and sociology, and obtain the basic ideas needed when considering culture.
Class Schedule	lesson1:Discuss the concept of “culture,” which is the cornerstone of this class. lesson2:You sometimes feel “ difference of culture.” Consider this “ difference”, using magazines. lesson3:Consider what difference and sameness are, before concluding the relevant culture is different. lesson4:Learn about essentialism and constructionism, which are integral to considering culture. lesson5:Consider the merits and demerits of the relativism of culture. lesson6:It might be too simple to consider something as a phenomenon of cultural diffusion. Consider this problem, using Shoichi Inoue’s discussion on Horyuji Temple’s pillar. lesson7:After listening to the explanation on the concept of the “invention of tradition,” consider specific examples of the nvention of tradition around you. lesson8:The invention of tradition has not only negative aspects but also useful ones. Consider the invention of tradition from both angles. lesson9:Using manga as a reference material, consider what it means to describe culture. lesson10:Using Soba Noodles and Kishimen Noodles by Yoshinori ＳShimizu, consider strange points of cultural studies. lesson11:What does “Osaka” represent? Using a study by Isamu Kuroda, consider this question. lesson12:It is certain that misleading representation is sometimes troublesome, but if there is no representation, what will happen? lesson13:The empiricism is not bad, but consider that an extreme dependence on empiricism sometimes renders communication dysfunctional. lesson14:Review Japan from the perspectives of “east and west” and　“north and south,” rather than a single entity. lesson15:Learn from movies that are useful for cultural research. An examination will be held. Focus will be placed not only on knowledge but also on ways of thinking.
Text/Reference Books,etc.	Discussion & lecture-oriented, and frequent use of a blackboard: documents will be handed out, if necessary.
PC or AV used in Class,etc.
(More Details)	Texts, handouts, audio materials, and visual materials (video/PC/ and other visual materials)
Learning techniques to be incorporated
Suggestions on Preparation and Review	Assignment instructions will be given each time. 1-5: Read designated magazines. 5-8: Read designated descriptions from a cultural anthropology dictionary and take notes on your impressions. 9-10: Read reference material copies. 11-14: Read designated manga or watch designated movies.
Requirements	Open only to students who write a master thesis under the guidance by NISHIMURA
Grading Method	Students attending this class are required to take a three-hour writing test in Japanese.
Practical Experience
Summary of Practical Experience and Class Contents based on it
Message
Other
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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