Keio University

Using New Express Plus: Burmese by Masahiko Katō as the course textbook, this course teaches the fundamentals of spoken Burmese. 

This course focuses on addressing events and challenges that arise when living in a foreign cultural environment. By examining the differences between living in one's home country and living a foreign culture, the course explores effective strategies to adapt to intercultural settings. The class will provide an opportunity for students to introduce their culture; analyze the differences between their culture and Japanese culture, and present their findings. The course aims to provide the skills to live respectfully in any intercultural context, while valuing and respecting the cultures of others.

This course explores the major developments in Japanese history and culture from the Meiji period to the end of World War II. The course focuses on key issues and transformations in Japanese society, politics, foreign relations, and culture. The course addresses the following questions: What were the major transformations in modern Japanese history? What factors explain these changes? How have Japanese society and culture evolved? How has Japan interacted with the world? The course provides a broad understanding of the key events and dynamics that shaped modern Japan’s historical development.

This course explores the world of Japanese Science Fiction primarily from a literary point of view but also includes pop cultural media such as anime and manga which oftentimes employ the same narratives and imaginaries and have significantly contributed to Japanese Sci-Fi’s world renown. Tracing back the origins of Japanese Sci-Fi to ancient myths and early 20th century pioneers, the course then delves into the rich Sci-Fi scene that developed after the Postwar era, featuring Japan’s 'three greatest Sci-Fi writers' and their lasting impact.  

The course also focuses on groundbreaking Sci-Fi works from Japanese pop culture, contrasting popular formats such as light novels and web novels with Sci-Fi elements in canonized authors' works, and explores the multifaceted relationship between Japanese Sci-Fi and technological innovation. Moreover, the course analyzes Western sources of inspirations that have impacted Japanese Sci-Fi while critically examining Western, cyberpunk stereotypes of Japan as a futuristic nation. 

This lecture course traces the history of cinema from its inception to the present day, while examining its characteristics as a “new yet old” medium. By comparing film with “older” media that existed before its birth and “newer” media that have emerged since, we will explore the evolving nature of cinema. The course also pays close attention to how advancements in media technology related to film have transformed the modes of exhibition and distribution. 

In the spring semester, the course focuses on the period from the dawn of silent cinema to the emergence of talkies and the eventual establishment of what is commonly known as “classical Hollywood cinema.” However, the course does not strictly adhere to chronological divisions; rather, it examines several key themes, exploring how they have been represented and how they have changed over time in cinematic history. 

This course traces certain aspects of the postwar Japan, focusing on the planning and reconstruction of cities damaged during the Second World War in comparison with Great Britain. 

This course explores the effects of globalization and development on education and societies in Asia. It discusses the roles and activities of agencies such as the UN, the World Bank, JICA, and grassroots NGOs and their impact on education in the developed and developing countries of East and Southeast Asia.

This course aims to trace certain aspects of postwar Japan. It focuses on the quest for urban policy to tackle urban problems after World War II, particularly in the 1960s, an aspect of the underside of rapid economic growth.

This course explores how to design matching markets, based on the contents taught in Intermediate Microeconomics 1A. Students are expected to know the differentiation of functions of one variable.  

Prerequisite: Intermediate Microeconomics 1A. 

This course introduces basic Italian grammar, aiming to help students reach the level required for the Level 5 Italian Proficiency Test. Language and culture are deeply interconnected, so while learning the Italian language, the class explores various aspects of Italian culture and ways of thinking. 

Based on students' interests and requests, the course actively incorporates topics such as history, art, and culinary traditions to make the learning experience as enjoyable and engaging as possible.