ESOPExchange Students from Overseas Program

From an external view, Japan is often seen as a country with obedient citizens that lack aggressive social movements and a "strong" civil society. Conversely, in a positive sense, Japan is imagined as a society in harmony and conformity without the tumultuous political disorder. Yet, in fact, in various critical moments in its history, the country has experienced large-scale and vehement uprisings that had impacted the transformation of society and politics one way or the other. This course will provide an overview of Japanese social movements from the post-war period until the current. The course introduces rich narratives of Japanese movements, particularly in three critical time phases; the mass uprisings in the 1960s, the new social movements in the 1980s to 2000s, and contemporary movements after the 3.11 triple disaster in 2011. It also covers social movements with different characteristics and aims from democratization movements, youth movements, peace, terrorism, feminism and sexuality, racial minority politics to environmental movements. By looking historically and comparatively of the Japanese social movements, the course will provide profound knowledge and critical perspective in understanding the development and the characteristics of Japanese society and its social structure.

By the end of this course, students will be able to critically analyze the unique characteristics of Japanese social movements with some comparative insights with social movements in America, Europe, Asia, or other areas that you are familiar with. The course also offers an alternative perspective on post-war and contemporary Japan, which may differ significantly from the economic or political research focusing on government authorities, large corporations, and powerful elites.

英語 / English

The course follows a mixed lecture-seminar format, combining formal presentations, short lectures, and group discussions designed for ESOP students at Hosei. In the class, followed by the presentation, participants are expected to discuss the topics through critical readings of the materials. Students will choose a topic related to the themes of the course for the final paper. 
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[対面/face to face]：Introduction to the Course

Course Introduction/Course Overview

2[対面/face to face]：What is Civil Society?

Theoretical understanding of civil society public sphere

3[対面/face to face]：What are Social Movements?

Theoretical understanding of social movements, contentious politics

4[対面/face to face]：Japanese civil society and social movements

Japanese social movements; History of Japanese civil society

5[対面/face to face]：Anpo – The Nation-Wide Protest

Anpo movement; Civic (shimin) movement; Nationalism

6[対面/face to face]：Youth Activism and the New Lefts

Youth movement; Campus struggle; Violence; Radicalism

7[対面/face to face]：Ribu and the Second Wave Feminism

Feminism movement; Identity politics

8[対面/face to face]：Ethnic Minority Politics

Zainichi Korean movements; Global social movements; Human rights

9[対面/face to face]：Movements in Okinawa

Social movements in Okinawa; Anti-Military base movements

10[対面/face to face]：LGBTQ Movements

Gay-rights; LGBTQ movements

11[対面/face to face]：Anti-Nuclear Movements after Fukushima

Environmental movement; Anti-Nuclear movements; 3.11. triple disaster

12[対面/face to face]：Revival of Youth Movement

New youth movements; Youth in contemporary Japan; Anti-Security law movements

13[対面/face to face]：New Radical Right Movements

Right-wing populism; Nationalism and xenophobia; Counter-racism movements

14[対面/face to face]：Final Presentation/Wrap Up session

Student presentations on chosen topics; Review of the semester

- Reading assignments (every week)for active discussion during the class.
- 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 through Hoppii system,

Reference materials will be suggested by the instructor when- ever appropriate.

Class Participation and Discussions: 20%
(Group or Independent)Presentation: 30%
Final Paper: 50%

This is a relatively new course and has not yet received student evaluations.

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