GISDepartment of Global and Interdisciplinary Studies

This course looks at 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, 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 could not be seen only 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]：What is Globalization?

Theories of globalization and transnationalism; History of Globalization

3[対面/face to face]：Globalization and Japan

Globalization and Japan; Kokusaika and Gurōbaruka

4[対面/face to face]：Japanese Returnees

Japanese returnees; Kikokushijo; Youth

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

Contemporary migration from Asia; Student migration

6[対面/face to face]：Japanese Emigration

Japanese migration to overseas; Japanese in overseas; Labor migration

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

Multiculturalism and Cosmopolitanism; Tabunka Kyōsei; Multicultural city

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

Globalization and racial hybridity; Hāfu, Daburu, Mixed

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

Transnational culture flow; Cool Japan; Nation branding

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

Global language; Englishinization

11[対面/face to face]：Globalization of Education

Globalization of higher education

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

Inbound tourism, Foreign tourists: Tourism and social change

13[対面/face to face]：Tokyo Olympics and Global Events

Tokyo Olympics; Global mega events; Globalization and Nationalism

14[対面/face to face]：Final Presentations

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: 20% 
Presentations (Group Work): 30% 
Final Paper: 50% 

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

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.