2021 Faculty Courses Liberal arts and basic science courses Breadth courses
Topics on Japan I
- Academic unit or major
- Breadth courses
- Instructor(s)
- Yuriko Sato
- Class Format
- Lecture
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 3-4 Wed (S421)
- Class
- -
- Course Code
- LAW.X327
- Number of credits
- 100
- Course offered
- 2021
- Offered quarter
- 4Q
- Syllabus updated
- Jul 10, 2025
- Language
- English
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
Through this course, Japanese and international students are expected to deepen their understanding of Japan and the Japanese society in comparison with other countries through lectures, discussions, visits and presentations.
In the first part of the course, lectures will be given on the characteristics of Japanese culture, society, education and history. Students will discuss about some key topics related with the lectures and visit an elementary school to see the actual education in Japan. In the last part of the course, students will be divided into several groups and make group presentations on‘Discovery of Japan,’ assuming they are the special correspondents dispatched from some international media to cover interesting topics on Japan. They have to choose topics, explore the background of the phenomena and make presentations by themselves.
Course description and aims
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
1. Understand the major characteristics and issues of Japanese society
2. Understand the history and major issues of Japanese education and science & technology
3. Understand the characteristics of Japanese communication style in comparison with that of other countries
4. Understand Japan's modern history from international perspective.
5. Acquire an intercultural perspective
Keywords
Japanese society, Education in Japan, intercultural perspective, communication style, modern history
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
The first part will be mainly composed of lectures and discussions. In the last part of the course, students are expected to explore the characteristics of Japan and Japanese society by making presentations on‘Discovery of Japan’assuming they are the special correspondents dispatched from some international media to cover interesting topics on Japan. They have to choose topics, explore the backgrounds of the phenomena and make presentations by themselves.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Outline of the course. Tips to understand the Japanese culture and communication style. | Details will be instructed in each class |
| Class 2 | Visit to Chisetsu Elementary School (From 10:30 am to 13:30 pm): Observation of the classes and exchange with the pupils | Details will be instructed in each class |
| Class 3 | Characteristics and current issues of Japanese society and education | Details will be instructed in each class |
| Class 4 | Overview of Japanese history | Details will be instructed in each class |
| Class 5 | Modernization process of Japan | Details will be instructed in each class |
| Class 6 | Presentation on Discovery of Japan (1) | Details will be instructed in each class |
| Class 7 | Presentation on Discovery of Japan (2) | Details will be instructed in each class |
Study advice (preparation and review)
Textbook(s)
No specific text in this course.
Reference books, course materials, etc.
References will be introduced during the course according to the topics.
Evaluation methods and criteria
Understanding of classes 35%, School visit and report 10%, Presentation 35%, Final report 20%
Final Report: Each student is requested to submit a final report in more than 250 words in English related with the part which he/she analyzed in the group presentation.
Related courses
- none
Prerequisites
The maximum number of students who can take this course is fifty including YSEP students. If there are more than fifty applicants, those who will take this course will be selected.
YSEP students have priority in participation since this course is compulsory course for them.