Japan

This course is designed to cultivate the basic skills of intermediate-level kanji and vocabulary. Students learn a variety of vocabulary by theme and study the characteristics of kanji, utilizing them to learn new kanji and words. The focus is placed on understanding the meaning of the vocabulary in sentences and accurately understanding the meaning of sentences. Achievable goals for the course include acquisition of N3 level kanji and vocabulary and skills to be discern the reading and meaning of new kanji.

While deepening exchanges between Japanese students and international students, this lecture provides a comprehensive overview of the relationship between Japan, China, and other Asian countries from both historical and contemporary perspectives. It aims to provide an understanding of global society in the 21st century. Among them, as clues for thinking about how two countries face each other; real-life culture shock experiences; misunderstandings due to expressions in Japanese, Chinese, and other foreign languages, and social and cultural differences.  This course aims to think of international relations based on misunderstandings and grassroots forces that are not the logic of international politics, but ta the individual level, such as what can a person living between Japan and China do?  The main format of spring semester classes is expected to be (1) group discussion, (2) group work for research assignments, and (3) group activities for reading. The language used is a combination of Chinese and Japanese, and the Chinese level of Japanese students does not matter. The main topics for the spring semester are cultural diversity and recognition of others.

This course introduces local, traditional and/or modern aspects of Japanese culture through field trip visits to cultural heritage sites, museums, and theaters. Special attention is given to comparing one's own culture with that of Japan in discussion with peer students. In addition, students examine how seeing Japanese culture firsthand has impacted their view of Japan. 

Students will acquire knowledge of Japanese economics and business and of the Japanese terms used in these fields by reading articles and watching TV programs suitable for advanced-level learners.

The theme of this seminar is “identities,” focusing particularly on racial, ethnic, and national identities. Through readings and discussions about contentious issues around identities, the course aims to critically examine basic social science concepts, such as: communities, groups/collectivities, nation-states, race and ethnicity, home, and ultimately, the boundaries that define “us” and “them.” The course collectively thinks about questions such as: What does it mean to be Japanese, and what does it take to become (and cease to become) Japanese (part of Japanese nationhood)? 

This course introduces students to South Korean sexuality issues through the lens of sexuality, addressing topics such as colonialism and migration; industrialization, family, and sexual harassment; popular culture, media, and masculinity; militarization and conscription; and South Korea’s blooming LGBTQ+ movement. The methodology to approach these issues in the class is not to judge the phenomena only with one standard, but to articulate the multi-layers intersecting each issue. The course examines how historical change from liberated Korea in 1945 to the present-day was both motivated by and determinative of various gender dynamics, using secondary critical readings by scholars to better understand the relationship between society and sexuality in a chronological fashion. Students will learn about how Koreans have recognized diverse sexual orientations and gender roles over time.

In the year 600, Christianity was the dominant religion of both the Middle East and Europe. By the year 750, this had all changed. Instead, Islam was the main religion in the Middle East, North Africa, and parts of southern Europe. So began relations and interactions between the two religions that would last throughout the medieval period, and up to today, see periods of both intense, fanatical, violence and close scientific and political collaboration. This course explores the history of relations between members of the two religions over the period of 900 years, from the rise of Islam in the early seventh century to the final defeat of the Muslims of Spain in 1492. It examines perceptions between the two sides in writings produced in a variety of languages, cultures, times and places. In so doing, the course will instruct not only the relations during the medieval period but will also uncover the roots of many of the tensions in the world today.

Studying history does not mean merely memorizing historical trivia or accumulating knowledge as an intellectual competition. It means gaining an understanding of the past by learning how to scrutinize historical documents.

This course explores the Edo period, Japan’s early modern era. Many cultural and social phenomena emerged during this period and remain relevant today. At the same time, many aspects of early modern Japan, including its politics, society, and people's values and behaviors, are profoundly different from those of the modern era. This course examines a selection of sources to gain an understanding of Edo-period Japan. In addition, it also discusses recent scholarly trends in the field of early modern Japanese history.

This course aims to provide an introductory and comprehensive view of the history of diplomatic and cultural relations between Japan and the World in the latter half of the nineteenth century and the beginning of the twentieth century. A basic knowledge of Japanese history is desirable, but no previous knowledge of this subject will be assumed. A small amount of reading will be expected each week.
 

Students are expected to attend the classes, to participate in discussions, to submit short assignments from time to time, to choose a research project of their own choosing and hand in a semester-end paper of about 2,500 (～ 3,000) words by the end of the semester. (The number of words excludes notes and bibliography, and the paper should be written in a formal style, with reference notes and a list of bibliography.)
 

Although optional, students are also encouraged to make a brief presentation during the semester. (Further details will be announced in class.)

Utilizing Irish films, this course looks at the culture, history, and society of Ireland.  Various Irish films, including "The Quiet Man," "The Fight of the Doves," and "Bloody Sunday" will be reviewed and discussed in class.