KUGF Course Guide 2018

9/20

Japanese ReligionThis will be an exploration of the religious traditions of Japan, their historical development as well as their role in contemporary society. Much attention shall be paid to Shinto, which comes closest to being the “indigenous” Japanese religion, and Buddhism, the global faith that began in India and entered Japan in the 6th century. We will also touch upon the roles of Confucianism, Christianity, and so-called New Religions.An attempt will be made to cover the social, artistic, philosophical, and doctrinal characteristics of these religions, and thus we will be looking at their artistic and literary expressions as well as reading classic and contemporary texts.There will be reading material for each week, including classic texts in English translation as well as more recent scholarly articles. Classes will be a mixture of lecture by the instructor and class discussion, so students should come prepared to engage in discussion each week.2 creditsFall SemesterJapanese History(Bushido: The Way of the Warrior)The warrior culture of Japan is viewed with fascination by Japanese and non-Japanese alike, and in recent years there has been a distinct resurgence of interest in samurai ethics and philosophy (bushido). In many ways, the reverence of ‘the Way of the warrior’ is glorified nonsense. Some scholars have even described samurai as being no more than ‘valorous butchers’, and beautified notions of samurai morality as being overstated if not totally invented. There is a significant element of truth to this cynical analysis, but I also believe that there are many aspects of samurai culture which can add to our lives today. People around the world are searching for ethical anchors in an age when honour, integrity, bravery, sincerity, and self-sacrifice for the greater good are virtues hidden by thetidal-wave of political scandal, corruption, crime, and greed. Reinterpretations of bushido are seen as one possible moral anchor. In this course I will outline the history and components (both fact and fiction) of the seemingly timeless, and in some ways border-less culture of Japan’s samurai warriors.2 creditsFall SemesterJapanese Literature (Survey of Post-1945)This course is a survey of post-1945 Japanese literature. The main focus is on how literature is an integral part of society and culture. All classes will include a mixture of lecture and close readings of selected texts in both English and Japanese.2 creditsFall SemesterJapanese Culture(Modern culture and Post-war History)Japanese Culture (Modern Culture and Post-war History) is a combination lecture and seminar-style course that examines Japanese post-war history from the end of WWII to the present day. This course is designed to provide a comprehensive overview of the main events and developments of the post-war that include intellectual trends and social movements, material culture, political and economic changes, gender relations, and issues affecting the ordinary person. In our investigation of Japanese post-war history and culture, we will draw on a number of mediums including television, film, manga, video games, and social media. This course will engage in international collaborative online learning activities (COIL).2 creditsFall SemesterJapanese Law and PoliticsThe main purpose of this Japanese Law and Politics course is to give an institutional, historical and cultural survey of contemporary Japanese law and politics, mainly basing on laws. In order to attain this purpose, I will first of all give a general view of modern Japanese legal history, mainly basing on the pre-war Imperial and post-war Japanese Constitutions (1889 and 1947) and in particular focusing on the Ten-no (Emperor) system. Secondly I will give a general view of the Japanese judicial system, in particular criminal law (courts) and newly established Japanese Jury system (Saiban-in System) from 2009. At the first class of this topic we will move to the moot court (inside building No.1-D) After discussing these general topics, I will give lectures on various topics about Japanese legal cultures, mainly concerning to family law and criminal law. In these topics, I will also adopt the comparative approach, namely comparison between Japanese and other Asian/Western legal cultures. As to the topics of 13th-15th classes we will chose following to attendants’ concern.2 creditsFall SemesterCourse Guide 20187