UNDERSTANDING JAPANESE SOCIETY
AST3UJS
2015
Credit points: 15
Subject outline
Dubbed 'Cool Japan' in the West, Japan is a non-Western, post-modern liberal democracy which continues, nevertheless, to exhibit 'pre-modern' tendencies to promote a strong sense of ethnic identity. Students will critically examine Japan's social order, its response to local and global social changes, and the diverse ways that people experience and make sense of their daily lives. The subject allows for an in-depth study of Japanese society, drawing on anthropological concepts and ethnographic studies. Topics include identity politics, gender, social inequality, the environment, childhood and adolescent socialisation, the family, popular culture, human rights and peace. Students completing a Japanese major will undertake tutorials and related assessment in the Japanese language.
School: School of Humanities & Social Sciences
Credit points: 15
Subject Co-ordinator: Elise Foxworth
Available to Study Abroad Students: Yes
Subject year level: Year Level 3 - UG
Exchange Students: Yes
Subject particulars
Subject rules
Prerequisites: 15 credit points of any second year subject, or subject coordinator's approval
Co-requisites: N/A
Incompatible subjects: N/A
Equivalent subjects: N/A
Special conditions: N/A
Learning resources
Readings
| Resource Type | Title | Resource Requirement | Author and Year | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Readings | Introduction of Japanese Society | Recommended | Sugimoto, Y 2010 | CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS |
| Readings | A Companion to the Anthropology of Japan | Preliminary | Robertson, J 2005 | BLACKWELL |
Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes
01. Evaluate diverse positions/arguments at an advanced standard
- Activities:
- Discuss and evaluate diverse positions/arguments
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Writing(Writing)
- Creative Problem-solving(Creative Problem-solving)
- Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
- Speaking(Speaking)
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
- Ethical & Cultural Awareness(Ethical & Cultural Awareness)
- Life-Long Learning(Life-Long Learning)
02. Learn to lead discussion in groups or as a group member and or/leader
- Activities:
- Work with a tutorial group
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
- Creative Problem-solving(Creative Problem-solving)
- Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
- Life-Long Learning(Life-Long Learning)
- Speaking(Speaking)
- Teamwork(Teamwork)
- Ethical & Cultural Awareness(Ethical & Cultural Awareness)
03. Present a persuasive argument in Asian Studies at an advanced standard
- Activities:
- Active tutorial discussions and presentation
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Ethical & Cultural Awareness(Ethical & Cultural Awareness)
- Teamwork(Teamwork)
- Speaking(Speaking)
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
- Creative Problem-solving(Creative Problem-solving)
- Life-Long Learning(Life-Long Learning)
- Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
04. Produce an original well presented response to a relevant topic at an advanced standard
- Activities:
- Produce an original essay of high quality
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Speaking(Speaking)
- Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
- Ethical & Cultural Awareness(Ethical & Cultural Awareness)
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
- Writing(Writing)
- Creative Problem-solving(Creative Problem-solving)
- Life-Long Learning(Life-Long Learning)
05. Social and cultural awareness at an advanced level
- Activities:
- Reading and participating in group discussions
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Speaking(Speaking)
- Creative Problem-solving(Creative Problem-solving)
- Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
- Life-Long Learning(Life-Long Learning)
- Ethical & Cultural Awareness(Ethical & Cultural Awareness)
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
- Teamwork(Teamwork)
06. Summarize research and arguments on a relevant topic at an advanced standard
- Activities:
- Essay and group presentation
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
- Writing(Writing)
- Ethical & Cultural Awareness(Ethical & Cultural Awareness)
- Creative Problem-solving(Creative Problem-solving)
- Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
- Life-Long Learning(Life-Long Learning)
07. Write reflectively on a topic related to contemporary Japanese society at an advanced standard
- Activities:
- Writing essays of high quality
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Creative Problem-solving(Creative Problem-solving)
- Life-Long Learning(Life-Long Learning)
- Ethical & Cultural Awareness(Ethical & Cultural Awareness)
- Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
- Writing(Writing)
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
Melbourne, 2015, Week 49-50, Day
Overview
Online enrolment: Yes
Maximum enrolment size: N/A
Enrolment information:
Subject Instance Co-ordinator: Elise Foxworth
Class requirements
LectureWeek: 49 - 50
One 1.0 hours lecture per day on weekdays during the day from week 49 to week 50 and delivered via blended.
TutorialWeek: 49 - 50
One 2.5 hours tutorial per day on weekdays during the day from week 49 to week 50 and delivered via blended.
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| One 1000-word equivalent group presentation (7 mins/person) | 25 | 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06 | |
| One 1000-word equivalent online assessment | 25 | 01, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07 | |
| One 2000-word essay | 50 | 01, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07 |