Course Description
The Japanese Politics, Society, and Culture class is essentially a combination of two East Asian regional elective courses from the previous curriculum: “Japanese Politics and Government” and “Japanese Social System.” Japan is the primary focus because it was the first Asian country to implement a democratic system and was able to revive and grow its economy rapidly after its defeat in World War II. Japan is important to study because in addition to its rapid economic development and interesting political system, Japanese society, socio-culturally, has also played a significant role in advancing Japan and making it a developed nation. Therefore, this course will not only discuss the structure, characteristics, and dynamics of Japanese politics and government, but also the characteristics of Japanese society, particularly through a social and cultural perspective over time. The learning method for this course, in addition to lectures, will also involve discussions, group presentations, and video screenings.
Expected Learning Outcome
- Understand the Japanese political system, social characteristics, and culture.
- Analyze Japanese political and social issues, both traditional and contemporary.
- Improve teamwork skills through group essay writing.
- Participate in seminars and discussions on Japanese politics, society, and culture.
Syllabus
Read the full syllabus here.
