Course Possibilities
A selection of classes I might take next semester (I have not corrected the Engrish as I rather enjoy it):
Japanese Literature, Modern and Contemporary
Andrew MURAKAMI-SMITH (Graduate School of Language and Culture)
This course is a survey of Japanese short fiction since 1868. Readings include a wide variety of authors, from Meiji period writers like Higuchi Ichiyo (whose face is on the \5,000 bill) to the present day (even including comics, or manga). Lectures will provide background information on Japanese history, language and literature, on each writer, and on the various literary schools. Students will make group presentations on the works and authors read, also referring to relevant literary criticism. Group presentations will stimulate discussions in class. A final paper will be due at the end of the semester.
History, Manners and Customs, and Interchange - Asia and Japan -
Tsuyoshi KATAYAMA, et al. (School of Letters)
Asia (including Japan) is a pluralistic world which consists of multiple ethnic groups and cultures. Each ethnic group has their own history and has developed characteristic manners and customs in the course of history. At the same time, each of them does not exist selfcompletedly; they have accumulated close interchanges on the political, economical and cultural matters not only with others in Asia, but, occasionally, with the outer world of Asia. The history as well as the manners and customs of each ethnic group have been formed on that sort of various interchanges. This course provides an introduction to the history of Japan, China and Central Asia, the manners and customs which have been developed in the societies of ethnic groups in each region, and the various phases of diverse interchanges.
Japanese Legal / Political System and Culture
Koichi SETOYAMA (School of Law)
What is law? Why do we have to keep the law? What is Liberty, Equality and Justice in law? All of the answers to these questions vary according to the country and times. The Legal and political systems are closely reflected by the legal culture and legal consciousness of the citizens of their own countries. The primary objective of this course is to provide a framework to understand the characteristics of the Japanese legal and political system and culture by looking into the contemporary legal and political issues in a comparison between Japan and other countries. No legal background is required but studentsf opinions from the viewpoint of their own countries are expected.
Media and Communications in Japan
Sachihiko KONDO (International Student Center)
This lecture is designed for students who wish to study critical readings on news stories (i.e. media literacy). In this series of lectures, not only theories of communication, but also the history of mass media in modern (Japanese) society will be discussed. In so doing, several aspects of the mass media will be studied, such as newspapers, broadcast (TV), magazine journalism, and so on. Also students are expected to make brief presentations concerning the media in their own countries. Based on lectures, presentations and discussions, students will be asked to formulate ideas about the contribution of the media to the maintenance of edemocraticf societies, and the problems the media faces.
Of course I will be taking a Japanese course or two, but I don't know for sure which level I will be placed in yet. I might take a physics course and a biology course as well.
Japanese Literature, Modern and Contemporary
Andrew MURAKAMI-SMITH (Graduate School of Language and Culture)
This course is a survey of Japanese short fiction since 1868. Readings include a wide variety of authors, from Meiji period writers like Higuchi Ichiyo (whose face is on the \5,000 bill) to the present day (even including comics, or manga). Lectures will provide background information on Japanese history, language and literature, on each writer, and on the various literary schools. Students will make group presentations on the works and authors read, also referring to relevant literary criticism. Group presentations will stimulate discussions in class. A final paper will be due at the end of the semester.
History, Manners and Customs, and Interchange - Asia and Japan -
Tsuyoshi KATAYAMA, et al. (School of Letters)
Asia (including Japan) is a pluralistic world which consists of multiple ethnic groups and cultures. Each ethnic group has their own history and has developed characteristic manners and customs in the course of history. At the same time, each of them does not exist selfcompletedly; they have accumulated close interchanges on the political, economical and cultural matters not only with others in Asia, but, occasionally, with the outer world of Asia. The history as well as the manners and customs of each ethnic group have been formed on that sort of various interchanges. This course provides an introduction to the history of Japan, China and Central Asia, the manners and customs which have been developed in the societies of ethnic groups in each region, and the various phases of diverse interchanges.
Japanese Legal / Political System and Culture
Koichi SETOYAMA (School of Law)
What is law? Why do we have to keep the law? What is Liberty, Equality and Justice in law? All of the answers to these questions vary according to the country and times. The Legal and political systems are closely reflected by the legal culture and legal consciousness of the citizens of their own countries. The primary objective of this course is to provide a framework to understand the characteristics of the Japanese legal and political system and culture by looking into the contemporary legal and political issues in a comparison between Japan and other countries. No legal background is required but studentsf opinions from the viewpoint of their own countries are expected.
Media and Communications in Japan
Sachihiko KONDO (International Student Center)
This lecture is designed for students who wish to study critical readings on news stories (i.e. media literacy). In this series of lectures, not only theories of communication, but also the history of mass media in modern (Japanese) society will be discussed. In so doing, several aspects of the mass media will be studied, such as newspapers, broadcast (TV), magazine journalism, and so on. Also students are expected to make brief presentations concerning the media in their own countries. Based on lectures, presentations and discussions, students will be asked to formulate ideas about the contribution of the media to the maintenance of edemocraticf societies, and the problems the media faces.
Of course I will be taking a Japanese course or two, but I don't know for sure which level I will be placed in yet. I might take a physics course and a biology course as well.