PROPOSAL FOR NEW COURSES
Department: Global Studies
Course Number: 215
Course Name: Modern Japanese Culture: Society, People and Popular Culture
Credits: 3-4
This is an undergraduate Course
Applied to:
Major (Elective)
Prerequisite:
None
Grading Method:
Grade only- P/NC option for non majors
Frequency of Offering: Every Other Year?
A. Course Description:
1. Catalogue Description
This course introduces students to Japanese society and culture, and examines how they are depicted in
popular culture. The course is an introduction to the unique culture of Japan and how it contributes to
global cultural diversity and richness.
2. Course Outline:
1. Introduction to the course
2. Film viewing and elicitation of research questions
3. The land and history
a. Japan: the place and the people
b. Historical background
4. Social structure and policy
a. Japanese social structure and values
b. Japanese family life
c. Japanese economy
d. Religion
e. Education
5. Japanese interaction patterns
a. Japanese Language
b. Interactions in business
c. Interactions in personal relationships
6. Japanese cultures in Japanese films
a. Study of films
b. Japanese films and animations
3. Instructional Methods
Lectures, small and large group discussions, and film viewing
4. Course Requirements
Papers, essays, exams, and reports
Means of evaluation
Research questions to be answered in papers (10%)
Essay/exam on Japanese history and social structure (15%)
Essay/exam on Japanese cultural values and beliefs (15%)
Bi-weekly report on Japanese newspaper and Japan related events on campus or in the
local community (15%)
Papers on Japanese culture and films (25%)
Attendance and class participation (20%)
B. Rationale
1. Japan has been playing a vital role in global economy and the relationship between the United
States and Japan is a very important one. Yet there are misconceptions in both countries about
each other’s culture. An understanding of Japanese society, people and culture is essential to
maintaining a healthy relationship between the two countries especially because Japanese culture
is quite different from American and Western cultures. A course on Japan and Japanese culture is
not currently offered in any department at WSU. Furthermore, the number of Japanese and
American students traveling in both directions for study purposes is increasing. It will be
beneficial for American students to take a course like this.
2. This course will be a much needed addition to the new Global Studies Major, particularly its
Asian Studies Option. It will also contribute to the University Studies Program in the
Multicultural Perspectives category.
3. One of the advanced language courses will be dropped in order to teach this course.
C. Impact of this course on other Departments, Programs, Majors, or Minors.
This course does not increase or decrease the total credits required by a major or minor of
any other department.
No other department has been consulted about this proposal.
Department Contact Person for this proposal:
Yogesh Grover
Name (please print)
5415
Phone
ygrover@winona.edu
email address
Winona State University
Global Studies Program
GS 215: Modern Japanese Culture: Society, People and Popular Culture
Credit: 3-4
Class Meeting Times and Location: TBA
Instructor: Manako Fujiwara
E-mail Address: MFujiwara@winona.edu
Office and Telephone: 133 Minne Hall
507-457-2360
Office hours: TBA
Catalogue Description:
This course introduces students to Japanese society and culture, and examines how they
are depicted in popular culture. The course is an introduction to the unique culture of Japan and
how it contributes to global cultural diversity and richness.
Course Objectives:
1.
2.
3.
4.
To understand Japanese history and social structure
To understand values and beliefs in Japanese culture
To understand Japanese interaction patterns
To examine Japanese culture through popular culture
Required Course Materials:
Kerbo, H. R., & McKinstry, J. A. (1998). Modern Japan. Boston, MA: McGraw-Hill
Shimizu, H., & LeVine, R. A. (2001). Japanese frames of mind. New York: Cambridge
University Press.
Tsuya, N. O., & Bumpass, L. L. (2004). Marriage, work, and family life in comparative
perspective: Japan, South Korea, and the United States. Honolulu: University of Hawaii
Press.
The Asahi Shimbun (Newspaper): www.asahi.com/english
Means of Evaluation:
Research questions to be answered in papers (10%)
Essay/exam on Japanese history and social structure (15%)
Essay/exam on Japanese cultural values and beliefs (15%)
Bi-weekly report on Japanese newspaper and Japan related events on campus or in the
local community (15%)
Papers on Japanese culture and films (25%)
Attendance and class participation (20%)
Grading Scale:
A (4.0) = Excellent,
B (3.0) = Very Good,
C (2.0) = Average,
D (1.0) = Below Average,
F (0) = Failing
Policy on Attendance and Tardiness:
Class attendance and active class participation are required. Attendance is recorded in
each class, which counts for 3 points per class. Being tardy, leaving early, or inactive
participation will lower your daily attendance point to drop by 1 point. Notify the instructor
anticipated absences in advance and make necessary arrangements for the class notes and
assignments.
Policy and Penalty for Missed Exams and Assignments, etc:
No make-up exams will be given except under extraordinary circumstances. In such cases,
submit the official documentation ahead of time or immediately afterward (in case of a noncontrollable incident) to receive permission to take a make-up. Make-ups will be penalized by
deducting 10% for each day after the scheduled exam day. Late assignments will receive one
grade reduction for each day after the due date.
Academic Integrity:
In case of academic misconduct, such as copying someone’s homework or cheating on
quizzes/exams, the offending student will be penalized in accordance with the WSU
Undergraduate Catalog. Those who let someone copy their work also will be penalized.
Policy for Individuals with Special Needs:
Disability Resource Center is located in 136 Howell Hall, 457-2391 (Voice), 457-5155
(Fax), 457-2406 (TTY) (http://www.winona.edu/disabilityservices/). Those students who require
accommodations must seek assistance at the Disability Resource Center in a timely manner,
usually prior to the start of classes, or as soon as a disability becomes known. Only after
necessary documents are submitted will the instructor make accommodations determined by the
Disability Resource Center.
Desire 2 Learn:
Desire 2 Learn will be used to post the syllabus, class schedule, grades and other
information as needed.
Course Schedule:
1. Introduction to the course
2. Film viewing and elicitation of research questions
3. The land and history
a. Japan: the place and the people
b. Historical background
4. Social structure and policy
a. Japanese social structure and values
b. Japanese family life
c. Japanese economy
d. Religion
e. Education
5. Japanese interaction patterns
a. Japanese Language
b. Interactions in business
c. Interactions in personal relationships
6. Japanese cultures in Japanese films
a. Study of films
b. Japanese films and animations