Asian Studies

This course examines how South Korea has been enmeshed in transnational flows of peoples and cultures since the 1980s. It turns an ethnographic lens on global processes to analyze some of their meanings and implications for people's everyday lives and, in particular, explore Korea's specific experience of globalization. Topics include promises and pitfalls of in- and out-migration; national and transnational consumption; intersections of love and profit in marriage migration and in entertainment work; migrant labor; nationalism and transnationalism of Korean sports; politics of race, identity and multiculturalism in Korea itself and toward Koreans internationally; transnational adoption; and “Korean wave.” 

This course covers basic historical knowledge about the international relations of Asia since the 19th century. This module examines how a wide range of ideas and ideologies borne in Europe have shaped the norms, practices and institutions of Asia’s politics and international relations. It explores the resilient nature of local norms and culture in the changing dynamics of international relations, particularly in the age of globalization. 

This course introduces learners to various socio-cultural issues and debates impacting schools, universities, and education systems in Asia-Pacific societies. Using case studies, the course aims to provide:

- Debate and discussion of the cultural and philosophical ideas that have shaped education in East Asia.
- An exploration of debates about the purposes of formal schooling, and the role of shadow education (cram schools/private tutoring) in various Asia-Pacific contexts.
- Consideration of how education is used as a political tool to shape national identities through moral, civic, and history curricula.
- An exploration of the tensions between nationalism, internationalization of education and globalization in Asia-Pacific contexts.
- Comparison of cultural approaches to early childhood education in Eastern and Western cultures.
- Observation of the developments in higher education in the region, including participation rates, rising research outputs, regional collaboration, and the possibilities for study abroad to contribute to peace and stability among East Asian countries.
- Consideration of issues of diversity and inclusion with regard to ethnic, gender and sexual minorities in Asia-Pacific contexts.

This course provides some insight into most of the major themes and issues on China and the Korean Peninsula. Topics include Nationalism and Political Cultures in China, The Korean War, China-DPRK Relations, ROK-China Relations: From Normalization to 2020, Korea between Ally and Partner: Trump, Xi, and Moon, US-China Rivalry and Sino-Korean Relations, THAAD and a New Normal in Relations between Seoul and Beijing, Implications of and Responses to the "Rise of China", and The Future of “The Rise of China” and the Korean Peninsula.

This course is a continuation of the course, Critical Social Issues I. This course is focused on the social issues facing contemporary Japan, covering topics such as war responsibility and memory; nuclear energy and waste; issues involving 3/11; media, the imperial family; yakuza, and education. As the course progresses, student interests are expected to generate additional topics for discussion.

Students will be required to do background reading for the class and come to class prepared to discuss a particular issue (or set of issues) each week in the first part of the course. In the second part of the course, students will suggest and present on topics on contemporary Japan for presentation. Each student must participate in these discussions and the assessment will be based on the discussions and written reflections on the issues after each class.

This course provides an overview of Japanese fermented foods, Sendai miso, as well as the overseas expansion of Sendai miso. The first part of the course introduces fermented Japanese and international cuisines and seasonings. The latter part of the course provides guest speaker lectures on Sendai miso, along with factory tours where it is cultivated. Students will be encouraged to make suggestions on how to develop recipes and market Sendai miso to promote it to their countries and regions.

Taught in Japanese, this course is open to domestic and international students. By interacting with students from various backgrounds, students will acquire communication and collaboration skills. 

This course provides a global perspective on the development of dress and fashion in Korea. It offers a look at Korean culture through the medium of Hanbok, one of the cultural symbols of Korea and an important medium and channel for understanding Korea. The course also covers how practices of dress/fashion embodied critical thoughts and ideas, such as the performance of identity in gender, race, and class. It acknowledges ‘dress/fashion’ as a powerful tool in shaping our future society with values such as individualism, inclusivity, diversity, and sustainability through industry and museum practices.
 

The purpose of this course is for students to learn about Japanese communication behaviors and culture, using a comparative approach with other cultures. Students are to learn through their own experiences--very interactive and practical.

Students will also learn intercultural communication and get to practice communication cross-culturally.

The course aims to:
1, Provide knowledge about Japanese communication behaviors, and increase students’ appreciation toward Japanese culture. Students will also come to understand how Japanese communication behaviors are greatly influenced by Japanese values.
2, Compare different cultures of the other foreign students through peer discussion.
3, Apply student learning in real life.

Two teachers, Takagishi and Paie, teach this course in an omnibus format.　
　
In Takagishi's classes, "Japanese culture around me," "pop culture," and "language" are the main pillars. "Festivals and events in Kyoto" as "Japanese culture around me", "The founding spirit of Doshisha" while tracing the life of Jo Niijima, the founder of Doshisha, "Japanese kimono culture" to learn about the history and patterns of kimono ” is discussed. "Pop culture" deals with "Japanese manga/anime" that considers Japan's manga and anime culture, and "Japan's popular songs" that traces the history of popular songs from the postwar era to the present. By studying the Kansai dialect and young people's language, which are used in the city and on campus as "languages," students will notice the differences from the standard language; learn about the mechanism of young people's words and the way of thinking of young people in Japan. By learning the various aspects of Japanese culture mentioned above, the course aims to deepen understanding of modern Japanese culture.　
 

In Paie's classes, the class revolves around Shinto and Zen Buddhism, which are the background of the Japanese way of thinking and spirituality and learn them as one of the entrances to those cultures. The course instructs on the Shinto religion – its origin, relationship with Japanese lifestyle, and tradition of festivals as its characteristics. In addition, the course connects Shinto and the martial arts, teaching Sumo and Aikido as Shinto martial arts. Next, the class provides an overview of Japanese Zen Buddhism and its culture: the history and thought of Zen words and Zen paintings. Students will be exposed to a zen experience with a priest from Rinzai, and learn the characteristics of Japanese culture through these experiences.

This seminar provides students with an introduction to the study of contemporary Chinese political economy. The early sessions of the course will place China’s economic development in global historical context before examining the characteristics of the Maoist command economy as well as reformers’ approach to marketization after 1978. Later sessions will focus on current issues relating to the state’s efforts to establish a sustainable, equitable and innovative economy. The final sessions examine China’s role in an increasingly turbulent global economy. Working closely with the instructor, students will write a research paper on a topic related to the contemporary Chinese political economy.