IGESSIGESS (Institute for Global Economics and Social Sciences)

In this course, we will analyze how gender and sexuality issues manifest throughout culture in Japan. Why do we need to discuss gender and sexuality in relation to Japanese contemporary culture? Who do we talk about when we discuss such issues? We will approach these questions from different perspectives and disciplines, such as history, literature, media, etc. While the main focus of this course is the representation of gender and sexuality in contemporary Japanese society, we will also address these issues in a global context.

1. To become familiar with historical sources and social and political elements in regard to the construction of gender within contemporary Japanese society.
2. To develop critical thinking strategies and apply them in order to understand how gender and sexuality are represented within contemporary Japanese media.
3. To incorporate a gender perspective while participating in academic discussions, presenting on a selected topic, and writing analytical papers.

英語 / English

I will lecture to situate our readings and discussions or to clarify concepts, but in general, students should come prepared to contribute seriously to the learning community by actively joining the discussion.

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。

第1回[対面/face to face]：Orientation

Introduction to the course, syllabus, and course expectations

第2回[対面/face to face]：Introduction to gender studies

Lecture on the basic concepts in gender studies

第3回[対面/face to face]：Gender, media, and misogyny in Japan

Lecture on the #MeToo Movement in Japan

第4回[対面/face to face]：Japanese femininities

Lecture on femininities in contemporary Japan

第5回[対面/face to face]：Masculinity studies

Lecture on masculinities in contemporary Japan

第6回[対面/face to face]：Gender and the family

Lecture on work-life balance in contemporary Japan

第7回[対面/face to face]：Heteronormativity in contemporary Japan

Lecture on the reproduction of heteronormative models in Japanese society and the media

第8回[対面/face to face]：Midterm exam

Summary of the first half of the course and in-class midterm exam to assess students' understanding of the topics discussed.

第9回[対面/face to face]：Queering the family

Lecture on the representation of queer fatherhood in three stories by Hiroto Kawabata, Nao-cola Yamazaki and Hirotada Ototake

第10回[対面/face to face]：Food, gender, and family

Lecture on the representation of food, gender, and family in contemporary culture

第11回[対面/face to face]：Idol culture

Lecture on the reproduction and subversion of gender models within the idol culture

第12回[対面/face to face]：LGBTQ+ issues in contemporary Japan

Lecture on the progress of LGBTQ+ rights in Japan

第13回[対面/face to face]：Queer Japan (1)

Screening: "Queer Japan" (directed by Graham Kolbeins, 2019)

第14回[対面/face to face]：Queer Japan (2)

Discussion on the movie "Queer Japan."
Conclusions and future questions

Students are required to read the reference material (in English) by the next session, submit comment sheets, and work on their midterm exam and final paper (one to three hours for every session).

Photocopies of readings will be distributed by the instructor.

Coates, Jennifer, Fraser Lucy, and Pendleton Mark (eds.), The Routledge Companion to Gender and Japanese Culture, Routledge, 2020
Copeland, Rebecca (ed.), Handbook of Modern and Contemporary Japanese Women Writers, Amsterdam University Press, 2023
Kazuyoshi Kawasaka, Stefan Würrer (eds.), Beyond Diversity Queer Politics, Activism, and Representation in Contemporary Japan, Dusseldorf University Press, 2024.
Steger, Brigitte, Koch, Angelika (eds.), Manga Girl Seeks Herbivore Boy. Studying Japanese Gender at Cambridge, LIT Verlag, 2013
Steger, Brigitte, Koch, Angelika (eds.), Cool Japanese Men. Studying New Masculinities at Cambridge, LIT Verlag, 2017
Steger, Brigitte, Koch, Angelika, Tso, Christopher (eds.), Beyond Kawaii: Studying Japanese Feminities at Cambridge, LIT Verlag, 2021

Discussion and participation (comment sheets, involvement during discussion): 20%
Active participation in class is required. Submit your comments via Hoppii at the end of each session.
Attendance will be taken every time. You will not receive credit for the course if you miss more than four classes.
Midterm exam: 40%
Final paper (2000-3000 words): 40%

Group discussions help students to deepen their understanding of the course topics.
This course readings and classroom discussions will often focus on difficult and potentially challenging topics. Since readings and discussions might trigger strong feelings, content warnings will be given so that students will be prepared in advance.

Laptop to take the in-class midterm exam and write the final essay.