Waseda University

This course examines the development and transformation of modern Japanese political thought, focusing on the Meiji (1968-1912), Taishō (1912-26) and early Shōwa (1926-41) periods. The course discusses major themes such as the creation of a modern state and the emergence of ideologies such as statism (etatism) and nationalism; the rise of capitalism; imperialism and colonialism; pan-Asianism; war, and counter-movements such as anarchism, democracy, environmentalism, feminism, and socialism. Using empirical and theoretical perspectives, the course studies both the historical and contemporary significance of these topics. 

A basic knowledge of modern Japanese history is helpful, but not required. A list of reference materials is provided for background information. 

This course introduces methods to analyze individual decision-making based on behavioral economics.  Behavioral economics uses cognitive and emotional factors to understand the economic decisions of individuals and societies.  From the 1990s, researchers in economics started expanding the scope of their formal (i.e., mathematical) models to encompass some types of behavior found in behavioral economics. However, they were at odds with the standard economic theory. 

This course mainly discusses behavioral decision-making theory.  Standard economics usually assumes the following two assumptions to analyze individual decision-making. First, an individual forms beliefs describing the probabilities of all choices, and after receiving new information, an individual updates his/her beliefs correctly according to probability theory.  Second, an individual acts as if they maximize an expected utility.  However, behavioral economics indicates that people do not behave as standard economics assumes.  

Although most of the arguments explored in this course have been carefully developed using the language of mathematics, the course does not assume any background other than high school algebra; however, participatns are expected to have some degree of comfort with the material presented formallyl (i.e., mathematical). Students are expected to have taken taken an Introduction to Microeconomics course.

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.