62056101 Contemporary Issues of Japan

Hiroshima University Syllabus

Japanese

Academic Year 2025Year 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 J305

Lesson Style Lecture Lesson Style
(More Details) Face-to-face

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

Credits 2.0 Class Hours/Week 4 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. Understand and be able to explain the unique institutions of Japanese society.
2. Learn about the social changes that have taken place in Japan since its modernization and be able to address the issues facing modern society.
3. To be able to compare Japan with other countries without falling into ethnocentrism.

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

Class Schedule Lessons 1 & 2 (April 11)
Introduction to the course
Foundations of Japan

Lessons 3 & 4 (April 18)
Ie (家): Japan’s family system

Lessons 5 & 6 (April 25)
Socialization: how children are educated/disciplined in a family

Lessons 7 & 8 (May 2)
The education system

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

Lessons 11 & 12 (May 16)
Working life in Japan

Lessons 13 & 14 (May 23)
Government and the craft of politics

Lesson 15 (May 30)
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. Handouts, Visual Materials, moodle

(More Details) DVD, PC

Learning techniques to be incorporated Discussions, PBL (Problem-based Learning)/ TBL (Team-based Learning)

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 20%
Term-end report 50%

Practical Experience Experienced

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

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	2025Year	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 J305
Lesson Style	Lecture	Lesson Style (More Details)	Face-to-face
Lecture, Discussion, Group work This class is conducted in person.
Credits	2.0	Class Hours/Week	4	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. Understand and be able to explain the unique institutions of Japanese society. 2. Learn about the social changes that have taken place in Japan since its modernization and be able to address the issues facing modern society. 3. To be able to compare Japan with other countries without falling into ethnocentrism.
Class Objectives /Class Outline	This course aims to help students learn about Japanese culture and society from various viewpoints and also practice cultural competency (or the ability to understand, interact with, and work well with people of different cultures).
Class Schedule	Lessons 1 & 2 (April 11) Introduction to the course Foundations of Japan Lessons 3 & 4 (April 18) Ie (家): Japan’s family system Lessons 5 & 6 (April 25) Socialization: how children are educated/disciplined in a family Lessons 7 & 8 (May 2) The education system Lessons 9 & 10 (May 9) Classification and ethnic diversity in Japan Lessons 11 & 12 (May 16) Working life in Japan Lessons 13 & 14 (May 23) Government and the craft of politics Lesson 15 (May 30) 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.	Handouts, Visual Materials, moodle
(More Details)	DVD, PC
Learning techniques to be incorporated	Discussions, PBL (Problem-based Learning)/ TBL (Team-based Learning)
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 20% Term-end report 50%
Practical Experience	Experienced
Summary of Practical Experience and Class Contents based on it	Based on the instructor's experience teaching in Japan and abroad, provide a relative view of Japanese society and culture.
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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