ESOPExchange Students from Overseas Program

This course examines Japanese society through the lens of globalization and its transnational relations with foreigners and foreign societies. On the one hand, Japan’s relative geographical isolation as an archipelago surrounded by the sea has cultivated a unique aesthetic culture that attracts people across the world in recent times, as well as being one of the driving forces behind its economic development. Yet, at the same time, this could also be a critical factor in generating a peculiar social system and norms that sometimes generate a considerable gap with the “global standards.” Hence, in theory, the global process would be an agency that shapes, reshapes, and alters the social structure in both positive and negative ways. As such, how does globalization - the closer integration of the countries and peoples of the world, especially after the 1980s - affect the change in contemporary Japanese society? The course will explore this question through reading and discussing the effect of transnationalism – both inbound/import and outbound/export - on migration, work, civil society, tourism, education, family, culture, identity, language, and Olympics, among others. The course also introduces theoretical approaches to understand globalization and transnationalism. 

The primary goal of this class is to gain an alternative understanding of Japanese society that cannot be seen only by observing from the perspective of the nation-state. Taking the transnational and relational approach would then provide us with insights into why and how Japan is changing in this contemporary era. Students are expected to gain skills and knowledge to critically analyze Japanese globalization through a comparative approach with other countries from East Asia, North America, Europe, among other regions that you are familiar with.

英語 / English

The course follows a mixed lecture-seminar format, combining short lectures, discussions, and group work designed for ESOP students at Hosei. In the class, followed by the instructor’s lecture, participants are expected to discuss the topics through a critical reading of the assigned materials. There will be a group project to work on, and we will allocate time to discuss the project with your group members. Each group will make a short presentation on the final week of the class, and students will write a final assignment individually based on the findings from the group work.
The instructor will provide feedback on the presentations during the class. Students can also access the instructor during office hours (prior appointment needed).

あり / Yes

なし / No

授業形態/methods of teaching：対面/face to face

※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。

1[オンライン/online]：Introduction to the Course

Course Introduction/Course Overview

2[対面/face to face]：International, Global, and Transnational

Theories of globalization and transnationalism; History of globalization

3[対面/face to face]：Global and Transnational Japan

Globalization and Japan; Kokusaika and Gurōbaruka

4[対面/face to face]：Globalization, Culture, and Politics

Globalization of culture; Cool Japan; Nation branding

5[対面/face to face]：Globalization of Language

Global language; Englishinization

6[対面/face to face]：Globalization and Tourism

Inbound tourism, Foreign tourists: Tourism and social change

7[対面/face to face]：Japanese Emigrants

Japanese emigration to overseas; Return migrants

8[対面/face to face]：Transnational Mobility of Japanese Youth

Japanese returnees; Kikokushijo; New Japanese emigrants

9[対面/face to face]：New Migrants in Japan

Contemporary migration; Migration policy; Public opinion towards migrants

10[対面/face to face]：Multiculturalism and Cosmopolitanism

Multiculturalism and Cosmopolitanism; Tabunka Kyōsei; Integration

11[対面/face to face]：Mixed Race (Hāfu) and Identity

Transnationalism and racial hybridity; Hāfu, Daburu, Mikkusu

12[対面/face to face]：Nationalism

Global Inequality, Neoliberalism and Nationalism

13[対面/face to face]：Final Presentations 1

Wrap Up session; Student presentations on chosen topics

14[対面/face to face]：Final Presentations 2

Student presentations on chosen topics

- Reading assignments (every week) 
- Preparation for project presentation 
- Final paper 
The average study time outside of class per week would be roughly 4 hours.

Readings will be provided by the instructor.

Reference materials will be suggested by the instructor whenever appropriate.

Class Participation and Discussions: 25% 
Presentations (Group Work): 25% 
Final Paper: 50% 

Share students' feedback and comments during the lecture.

None

- The schedule and detail may be subject to change.
- Detailed course descriptions, including the assignments, will be provided on the first day of the class.