Japan

The course surveys Japan’s international relations with China, Korea, and Europe between the 15th to 17th century. First, the course looks at the development of diplomacy and trade in East Asia, focusing on the “sea-closing policy” of China during the 14-16th centuries; the activity of Japanese diplomatic and trade missions to China, and the collapse of the tribute system. Then it investigates the relations with Europe during the 16th century, examining the new quality of foreign relations during the Edo Period; the development and role of the port cities Hirado and Nagasaki, and the trade with the Europeans and the Chinese. 
 

As the global economy becomes more competitive and uncertain, businesses equipped with effective Supply Chain Management (SCM) can enhance financial performance, mitigate risks, and respond to disruptions more effectively. This course offers a comprehensive overview of supply chain management from strategy to each function within the supply chain. In addition, the course covers contemporary topics such as the Covid-19 pandemic, global supply chains, resilience, and sustainability. Classes consist of lectures, short video clips, interactive discussions, individual case study assignments, group case studies, and presentations. 

This course introduces the perspectives, research methods, and findings of cultural psychology. The course cultivates one's own ability to understand and deal with variations in psychological processes across cultural and ethnic groups, as well as to understand the cultural grounding of their own experiences and actions. By the end of this course, students are expected to have the ability to explain how cultural contexts shape psychological processes through cultural practices.

In the Meiji period, many predicted that the traditional genre of the haiku would rapidly disappear as Japan transformed into a modern society. Contrary to this prediction, the haiku has proved to be widely popular, not only in modern Japan, but also outside the country, especially in North America. This phenomenon raises many questions. Are modern haiku the same as traditional haiku? Are haiku written in English the same as those written in Japanese? How far can a form of poetry change and yet still be regarded as the same form? This course answers these questions by surveying the historical development of the haiku from its roots in the medieval poetic form of the renga to contemporary haiku being written in Japan and abroad. 

This course teaches the major conventions of the haiku form; the differences between classical hokku and modern haiku; the representative works of the major poets through the centuries and the ways in which haiku were understood and misunderstood when they were introduced to Western countries. 

 Why do two translators sometimes produce two very different translations of the same text? Can a translation ever have the same effect as its source text? Why should we study translation theory? What even *is* translation? Through this course, students will explore these and other multi-faceted questions in the field of Translation Studies (TS). 

This course aims to provide a solid foundation in major theories and issues of TS, from historical debates surrounding equivalence and fidelity, to newer perspectives that challenge these well-entrenched concepts. Students will learn to describe and critically evaluate translations and translation strategies. 

Finally, through guided practice activities and a final group translation project, students will be able to experience firsthand the puzzle-like challenges and satisfactions of producing their own translations. 

This course introduces students to the field of education as it is studied in the various social sciences by reading selections from the fields of philosophy, history, sociology, anthropology, and political science. In the first half of the class, students learn about the philosophy of education and learning in pre-modern societies as well as the origins and history of early-modern public education systems with a focus on North America and Europe. The second half of the course focuses on the role of education in present-day societies with a discussion of issues relevant to future educators and citizens. The course will discuss readings readings and lecture material to understand the different ways in which education has been conceptualized as a part of the human experience.
 

This course is aimed at those who have already studied the first half of elementary grammar. The course focuses on learning grammar and sentence patterns according to the textbook, "University Japanese: Beginner's Course, Tomodachi vol.2" compiled by the Japanese Language Education Center for International Students, Tokyo University of Foreign Studies.