Syllabus Number 34
Course
Name
Introduction to Japanese Studies II (Culture)
Semester, Year
First Semester, 2017
Course level
3000
Instructor(s)
(Institution)
Susanne Klien (大学院メディア・コミュニケーション研究院)
Course
Objectives
Course Goals
Number of Credits
2 credits
Course Number
027035
This course examines current issues in modern Japanese culture with a focus on sociocultural anthropology.
Students will be expected to read seminal works on Japanese culture in advance and engage in discussions with
peers, the class will be highly interactive.
Course
Schedule
0 Introduction
1 Precarious Japan
2 Organizational culture / work
3 Consumption and gender
4 Nature and Japanese culture
5 Multiple-choice quiz plus mini-fieldwork on campus on given theme
6 Who are 'the Japanese'?
7 Well-being, seasonal rituals and culture
8 Religious culture and everyday life
9 Leisure
10 Mobility
11 Food
12 Death and culture
13 Traditional folk culture in rural Japan
14 End of term exam and final session
Homework
Students will be expected to critically read materials in advance of every session.
Main references:
Jennifer Robertson (ed.) A companion to the anthropology of Japan
Sugimoto Yoshio (ed.) Modern Japanese Culture
John W. Traphagan and John Knight (eds.), Demographic Change and the Family in Japan’s Aging Society
Christopher Thompson and John W. Traphagan (eds.), Wearing cultural styles in Japan: Concepts of Tradition and
modernity in practice, State University of New York Press 2006
Available at Hokudai North Library, MJSP corner
All readings materials will be uploaded on my homepage
http://susanne-klien.net
Students will receive the password to access materials for the course in the introductory session. All other
information regarding the course (grading, exams etc.) will be updated on the homepage, so make sure to check it
regularly.
Grading
System
Multiple choice quiz 20%
Presentation 20%
Final exam 40%
Class participation 20%
Textbooks /
Reading List
Websites
Website of
Laboratory
Additional
Information