Meiji Gakuin University

Employing a multidisciplinary approach to the understanding of American society, culture and history, from the 15th century to early 20th century, this course provides a new introduction to the very idea and the founding history of America. With touchstone attention to Asia (notably India, Japan, and China) in the idea of America, the diverse sources of its people, African, European, Native American, and more, this course takes the history of matters African American as a central guide. Lectures will be given in English during the first in-class session each week (MGU second period Mondays); the presentation of visual material, mainly film and video, followed by in-depth in-class group discussion in English, will occupy the second in-class session each week (MGU fourth period Mondays). The screening and discussion of film, video and other visual material, as well as the listening and discussion of music, will all be core elements in the work of this course.

This course provides an in-depth understanding of contemporary European politics and societal issues which have developed throughout the last 30 years. The course covers five main areas. First, it examines the history of Europe – the development of democracy and the nation-state and how modern Europe came to be after the wars of the 20th century. Second, the course looks at the different political systems which exist within Europe's democracies. Third, it takes a more detailed look at specific countries and their relations with each other in the context of intra-European relations. The course also compares society in Europe's different nation states and the relationship between government and civil society, the media and issues such as gender, race and identity. The final part of the course looks at the history of the European Union and contrast its achievements with its present-day challenges including Brexit and the rise of populism, and the role of Europe as a global actor. Units: The regular version of this course is worth 3.0 UC quarter units. The Q version of this course is worth 4 or 4.5 UC quarter units. Students must submit a special study project form which outlines the requirements for the additional units. This is typically an additional paper graded by the instructor of the course.

This course considers how individual bodies are gendered and how gender is constructed in individual bodies through weekly readings and discussion in class. Students are expected to read each week's materials critically and to construct questions that allow other students to examine relations between gender and body deeply. Through these activities, students understand how social norms strongly construct gendered bodies, and explore possibilities of resisting it. Lecture topics vary, but may include problem's created by women's beauty work; radical feminist perspectives from the 1960s through today; why do many women wear makeup; and how to resist gendered norms of body. Reading materials are provided online. Assessment: class participation, presentation, final paper. Units: The regular version of this course is worth 3.0 UC quarter units. The AQ version of this course is worth up to 4.5 UC quarter units. Students must submit a special study project form which outlines the requirements for the additional units. This is typically an additional paper graded by the instructor of the course.