Exchange Students from Overseas Program

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ECN300LF(経済学 / Economics 300)
Japanese Goods and the Global Economy  

Julia YONGUE

Class code etc
Faculty/Graduate school Exchange Students from Overseas Program
Attached documents
Year 2022
Class code A8524
Previous Class code
Previous Class title
Term 秋学期授業/Fall
Day/Period 木3/Thu.3
Class Type
Campus 市ヶ谷 / Ichigaya
Classroom name 各学部・研究科等の時間割等で確認
Grade
Credit(s) 2
Notes
Class taught by instructors with practical experience
SDGs CP
Urban Design CP
Diversity CP
Learning for the Future CP
Carbon Neutral CP
Chiyoda Campus Consortium

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Outline and objectives

(1) To explore the origin and evolution of a wide array of ordinary Japanese goods ranging from ramen and cameras to cosmetics and anime, and (2) to trace their connections to the global economy and consumers in Japan and other parts of the world. By following the 'journey' of Japanese goods through time and space, students will learn some of the features of Japanese goods and interpret their impact on culture, business, and society.

Goal

To learn about the origins and evolution of a wide array of ordinary Japanese products (things).
(1) What can things teach us about Japanese business and society?
(2) How and why did these things “travel” to other parts of the world?
(3) How have they influenced society, business, and consumption patterns in other parts of the world?

Default language used in class

英語 / English

Method(s)(学期の途中で変更になる場合には、別途提示します。 /If the Method(s) is changed, we will announce the details of any changes. )

Interactive lectures, discussions, and a guided museum visit designed to provide students with theoretical and practical knowledge of the key concepts covered in the course.
*The course incorporates an 'active learning' element, whereby students will select/design a fieldwork project relating to the course themes and present their findings in class at the end of the semester.
*Feedback on assignments/tests during office hours and/or during class.
*Note: The course may be held online or modified due to the pandemic.

Active learning in class (Group discussion, Debate.etc.)

あり / Yes

Fieldwork in class

あり / Yes

Schedule

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 and key terms

Explanation of the course and its themes/goals

2[対面/face to face]:Rice cookers

Changing lifestyles at the height of monotsukuri Japan

3[対面/face to face]:Ramen and instant cup noodles

The Westernization of the Japanese diet

4[対面/face to face]:Coffee and coffee shops

Japan's connection to the global coffee industry

5[対面/face to face]:Japanese green tea

Images of 'things Japanese' (and Tea ceremony demonstration, TBA)

6[対面/face to face]:Wrap up and discussion

Comparing global and local marketing strategies for Japanese goods

7[対面/face to face]:Cosmetics

The globalization of beauty and the beauty industry

8[対面/face to face]:Cameras

The camera industry's role in changing the image of Japanese goods

9[対面/face to face]:Field trip (or class)

Camera Museum visit (or class)

10[対面/face to face]:Pokemon and Cool Japan

Culture (soft power) as a vector for the globalization of Japanese goods

11[対面/face to face]:Sushi and Tsukiji, Japan's global fishmarket

Global foods and marketplaces

12[対面/face to face]:Presentations and discussion

Small group presentations

13[対面/face to face]:Presentations and discussion

Small group presentations

14[対面/face to face]:Review and final wrap up

Discussion: Japanese goods and the global economy reassessed

Work to be done outside of class (preparation, etc.)

Students are expected to do the reading assignments each week. Their final projects will require preparation, such as group discussions and field work outside of class. The average study time outside of class per week is 2 to 3 hours.

Textbooks

There is no textbook for this class. Reading materials as well as the the PPTs used in class will be provided via Hoppii.

References

*A general understanding of Japan would help students taking this course.
e.g., Andrew Gordon, A modern history of Japan from Tokugawa times to the present, Oxford University Press, 2008.
*General works on globalization and entrepreneurship such as the following would also be useful:
Pietra Rivoli, The travels of a t-shirt in the global economy: an economist examines the markets, power, and politics of world trade, Wiley, 2014.
Thomas Friedman, The Lexus and the olive tree: understanding globalization, Picador, 2012.
Geoffrey Jones, Entrepreneurship and multinationals: global business and the making of the modern world, Edward Elgar, 2013.

Grading criteria

(1) Participation: taking an active part in class discussions; reflection papers; museum visits (30%).
(2) Group work: presenting and leading a discussion based on the reading assignment (20%)
(2) Final project (50%): group presentation and final report, based on the presentation.
Students are expected to attend all of the classes and to be on time. Should the class be held via zoom, students should keep their video camera on at all times, unless doing so would compromise their internet reception.

Changes following student comments

N/A. Students are welcome to make requests or voice complaints and concerns at any time during the semester.