Analysis of contemporary Japanese society [ LASI2303 ]

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History of international relations, history of political cultures, international economics

Emphasis will be given on the different aspects of contemporary Japanese society: heritage of the past, economic structures and policies, political system, culture (traditional architecture, handicrafts, literature), sociological and educational characteristics.

At the end of the semester, students should be able to work in Japan while having no great difficulty in integrating a complex society, different from western societies, to further study comparative sociology, comparative economic systems of industrial countries, and comparative governments

Class participation; oral presentation; individual written assignment or participation in a group project.

Active learning - lectures, group discussions and student presentations. Students are expected to complete assigned readings before each lecture and attend classes regularly.

Part One: Social foundations - religion and culture; education; work and labour; crime and punishment;

Part Two: "Class, identity and status" social class and social identity; gender stratification and the family system; minorities and discrimination; aging, population decline and social welfare;

Part Three: Politics: political parties and institutions; economic structures and policies; main external relations; regional diplomacy in East Asia; evolving global role;

Part Four: Popular culture and entertainment.

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Teaching materials : course reader, power point presentations by the professor.

The course will be taught in English.