SCOPESCOPE (Sustainability Co-Creation Programme)

This course is designed to be an overview of contemporary Japanese society, with a focus on the issues surrounding diversity and social sustainability. Throughout the term, we explore how we can understand Japanese society, by using various sociological concepts and making international comparisons. By engaging with critical issues in contemporary Japan, we will explore the ways in which the society can achieve a sustainable system and culture both within the country as well as a member of the international community.

Through this class, you will be expected to critically engage with both scholarly discussions as well as media portraits on Japanese culture and society, and demonstrate your understanding through your assignments, individual project, and participation in class.

Among diploma policies, "DP3" is related

英語 / English

Each class consists of lecture, discussions, and other learning activities. Feedback on assignments submitted by students will be provided in class or through the Learning Management System.
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

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。

Week 1[対面/face to face]：Introduction

Overview of the course; What does it mean to study Japan from sociological perspectives?

Week 2[対面/face to face]：Brief history of post-WWII Japan

Development, challenges, and social issues

Week 3[対面/face to face]：Sustainability and contemporary Japanese society

What is sustainability and what does it mean to make Japanese society more sustainable?

Week 4[対面/face to face]：Work, inequality, and poverty

How to measure inequality; historical changes; homelessness;
different types of employment and their impacts on people's life course

Week 5[対面/face to face]：Gender and sexuality 1

How we learn the norms of gender and sexuality; Paid and unpaid work

Week 6[オンライン/online]：Gender and Sexuality 2; Exam 1

Child poverty and unequal opportunities

Week 7[対面/face to face]：Diversity, marginality, and social coherence 1

What is multiculturalism?; myth of homogeneity; Burakumin

Week 8[対面/face to face]：Diversity, marginality, and social coherence 2

Okinawans and Ainu

Week 9[対面/face to face]：Diversity, marginality, and social coherence 3

Resident Koreans and Japanese Brazilians

Week 10[対面/face to face]：Diversity, marginality, and social coherence 4

Race politics in Japan; people with mixed roots; intersectionality

Week 11[対面/face to face]：Diversity, marginality, and social coherence 5

Disability

Week 12[対面/face to face]：Student presentations 1

Presentations on the individual project 1

Week 13[対面/face to face]：Student presentations 2

Presentations on the individual project 2

Week 14[オンライン/online]：Conclusion; Exam 2

Review of what we learned

Students need to prepare for and review each session by using references and materials assigned in class and/or through course website. Students are expected to read assigned texts and to come to class fully prepared. Preparatory study and review time for this class are 2 hours each.

Materials will be distributed in class.

Sugimoto, Yoshio. 2014. An Introduction To Japanese Society. Fourth Edition. Cambridge University Press.
Other materials will be distributed in class.

Participation 30%; Assignment 20%; Reading memo 10%; Exams 40%

In addition to covering the materials for this course, I will continue to provide instructions for basic academic skills (e.g., research and writing).

We will be using the course website.

Please note that if the number of students attending the first class significantly exceeds expectations, in order for the instructor to effectively manage the class, the number of students who are allowed to register for the course may be limited.