IGESSIGESS (Institute for Global Economics and Social Sciences)

Sociology of Gender and Families
The family is one of the most important social institutions that everyone in society is familiar with. Because of the familiarity, however, we often lack critical perspectives on the issues pertaining to the family. We will challenge typically taken-for-granted notions of the family by considering it from a sociological point of view. We will do so by highlighting the ways in which gender plays a critical role in shaping our experiences, identity, as well as relationship to others.

While focusing on families in contemporary Japan, this course will take a historical and comparative perspective to highlight diversity and transformation of families, both within and outside Japan. By investigating both public policies and private dynamics, we aim to deepen our understanding of, and gain critical perspectives on the family.

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
1. identify and critically engage with social issues pertaining to the family and gender;
2. understand the connection between individual experiences in family and broader socio-historical contexts; and
3. discuss issues surrounding the family and gender with a comparative perspective.

英語 / English

Feedback on assignments submitted by students will be provided in class or through the Learning Management System. The course consists of lectures, discussions, and various activities (e.g., problem-solving tasks) , including two in-class exams.
Please note that the teaching approach may vary according to which threat level we are at. The details will be announced through the Learning Management System.

あり / Yes

なし / No

※各回の授業形態は予定です。教員の指示に従ってください。

Week 1：Introduction to the course

Introduction and overview of the course

Week 2：What is the family? Studying families sociologically

Systems of kinship and diversity in the world; Sociological methods and approaches

Week 3：What is gender?

Sex and gender; gender identity and sexuality

Week 4：History of the family in Japan

Patriarchy, "ie" system, and "koseki"

Week 5：Demographic change

Declining birthrate and aging society

Week 6：Love, sexuality, and relationship formation; In-class exam 1

Heterosexual norm and feminization of love; marriage and divorce

Week 7：Gender and families

Socialization and reproduction of gender norms

Week 8：Work and families

Work, parenting, and gender norms

Week 9：Intimate violence

Violence within family and close relationship

Week 10：Inequality and families

How structural inequality affects families; single-parenthood

Week 11：Reproductive Rights and Reproductive Health

Sexuality education; contraception; reproductive care

Week 12：Reproduction and technology

Infertility and reproductive technologies

Week 13：Changing forms of families

Same-sex marriage; foster and adoptive care

Week 14：Conclusion; In-class exam 2

Reflections and discussions

Students need to prepare for and review each session by using textbooks, references, and distributed materials.
It is essential that students complete weekly reading assignment before coming to the class. Students are expected to come to class fully prepared. Preparatory study and review time for this class are 2 hours each.

Materials will be distributed in class.

Texts will be introduced in class.

Participation 30%; reading assignments 30%; 2 in-class exams 40% (20% each)

I will keep encouraging students' active participation by incorporating more activities and discussions.

In order to have access to all the information and course materials necessary, every student taking this course is required to sign up in the course website (Hoppii). All the assignments must be submitted through this website. I may send occasional announcements and messages as well. For this reason, it is very important that you use this website actively and check your university email account (or the email account you registered with the course website).