158-447 Prejudice and Pride: Social Problems in Japan

Note

Available as 158-347 at 3rd-year level.

Credit Points

Coordinator

Prerequisites

Normally, four 16.7 point units of study in Japanese or other Asian Studies related course.

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

This subject aims to prepare students for more specialised studies in Japanese society and culture. The subject offers interdisciplinary views of the political, economic, religious and cultural ideologies which foster inequality between different social groups in Japan to make students aware of heterogeneous aspects of Japanese society as well as the public and private institutions that deal with these issues. Issues such as ethnicity, caste, and disability will be addressed. The subject will also include an examination of the relevant institutions (such as the family registry system, employment protection laws, and social welfare programs) which promote or attack prejudice against heterogeneous social groups.

Assessment

Written assignments totalling not more than 5,000 words at third year; not more than 6,000 words at fourth year. Students are required to attend a minimum of 70 percent of all classes in order to be eligible to submit the final essay.

Prescribed Texts

• Suzuki and Diwa, The Japan We Never Knew. Allen and Unwin, 1996.