KUGF Course Guide 2018

8/20

Module 4Japan StudiesSeminar in Japanology(War and Conflict through JPN Film)This course will draw on Japan’s rich film tradition to explore war and conflict in international and domestic contexts during the modern era. Students will critically screen selected films that examine the causes and effects of this larger theme, paying particular attention to the development of the nation-state and the role marginalized peoples played in that process. Other topics associated with the main theme and related to nation-state building include industrialization, identity formation, imperialism, social movements, gender, and modernity. Students should be aware that many of these films deal with mature subject matter and may contain explicit language and adult content. All films will be shown in Japanese (with English subtitles).2 creditsSpring SemesterComparative Asian Cultures StudiesThis is a survey course that introduces students to the cultures of Japan, China, and Korea. The course does not assume prior knowledge of the languages or cultures of East Asia; it provides a general background for further study. Excerpts from a variety of sources will be used as reading material. Students are expected to read the handouts before coming to class in order to participate in class discussion.2 creditsSpring SemesterSeminar in Japanology(Japanese Budo: An Intro. to Kendo)The most visible vestige of samurai culture remaining in Japan today is budo the traditional martial arts. Considering the tremendous international popularity of martial arts such as judo and karate, budo is undoubtedly one of Japan's most successful cultural exports. People around the world practice these arts not only for self-defence or as sports, but also as a pursuit for spiritual development and enlightenment. This course will offer the student an insight into the history of the Japanese martial arts with actual hands-on experience. The first three lectures will be conducted in the classroom and the remainder will be conducted in the gymnasium where students will be given an introduction into the art of kendo. Each class will commence with a lecture on an important concept followed with a practical lesson. Schedule permitting, the students will be given the opportunity to sit in an actual grading examination.2 creditsSpring SemesterJapanese Popular Culture(Postwar Japanese Culture)Japan has sometimes been described as a “soft superpower,” referring to the difference between so-called hard power (usually in the form of military capability) and so-called soft power (or cultural influence). This course introduces students to the historical contexts and social implications behind contemporary popular culture in Japan. We will explore a wide variety of artistic media, ranging from manga, anime, and literature to fashion, film, and music. Of particular concern will be the way culture has developed in the postwar period and how Japanese culture has influenced global trends. Topics include Godzilla and atomic energy, Miyazaki Hayao and environmentalism, gender roles, and social activism.2 creditsSpring SemesterFall SemesterSeminar in Japanology(The Japanese Language and Society)　In this seminar, we are going to cover various topics relating to the Japanese language and society, such as dialects, gender, honorifics, all of which you may often encounter in your daily life in Japan. In order to understand these topics, it is not enough to examine the language system, which is composed of phonology, morphology and syntax, because the language system functions only in relation to its speakers and the society where it is spoken. This ac-ademic discipline which tackles the relationship between language and society is called sociolinguistics. You will be encouraged to share your own experiences and observations with regard to the Japanese language.2 creditsSpring SemesterFall SemesterKANSAI UNIVERSITY GLOBAL FRONTIER6