2019/20 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

EAST5039M Contemporary Japan in Ethnographies

15 creditsClass Size: 25

Module manager: Jieun Kim
Email: j.e.kim@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2019/20

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

Twenty-first century Japan is facing major social challenges with rapid population ageing, socioeconomic polarisation, environmental hazards, and technological innovations. This module explores the implications of these changes by bringing the students to the daily sites where various actors work together or against each other to tackle with the issues at hand. Reading recent ethnographic texts about life in contemporary Japan, students will develop a contextualised understanding of the changing social relations and practices and the sociocultural diversity and complexity of twenty-first century Japan. In the process, they will also master some key concepts and frameworks that can be applied to their own projects in Japan and beyond.

Objectives

This module aims at understanding the major social issues in contemporary Japan by reading ethnographies on a range of topics. This module is designed to foster ethnographic sensitivity among students to understand Japanese society through the perspectives of ordinary people living in Japan today. Introducing anthropological concepts and theories, the module also equip students with research skills that can be applied in their own projects.

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students should be able to:

1. Demonstrate knowledge of how Japan is tackling with its major social issues today
2. Critically evaluate a range of theories and ethnographies relating to contemporary Japanese society
3. Locate and use secondary sources relevant to selected topics of contemporary Japanese experience
4. Demonstrate a grasp of the key debates in the anthropology of Japan

Syllabus

This module covers a range of topics about the changing social relations and practices in contemporary Japan including new forms of care for the elderly and the dead; the precaritisation of life and employment; 'Global Japan' and its others; living in the ruins of 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake; and the human-robot relationships, among others.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Seminars	10	2.00	20.00
Private study hours			130.00
Total Contact hours			20.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			150.00

Private study

Private study will include preparing readings for seminar sessions and independent learning on a specific social issue as part of writing an essay for assessment.
1. Background reading and preparation for seminar sessions (6 hours per taught week, 60 hours)
2. Reading and writing for the essay and book review (70 hours).

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Students will prepare to lead seminar discussions that will allow formative feedback both on the students’ performance and understanding of readings. For the book review the students will be asked to send a brief outline (200 words) including their choice of book and target journal/outlet br Week 5, which I will review and comment on.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay or Dissertation	3,000 words	70.00
Literature Review	1,000 word book review	30.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 25/07/2019

Disclaimer

Browse Other Catalogues

• Undergraduate module catalogue
• Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
• Undergraduate programme catalogue
• Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue

Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team.PROD