110-116 Contemporary Japanese Society

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Subject Description

This subject examines basic themes in contemporary Japanese society, as well as commonly used theoretical models. Students will read classic works of interpretations of Japanese society, including Benedict's The Chrysanthemum and the Sword and Nakane's Japanese Society, which serve as a foundation for the understanding of Japanese social life. Topics for discussion include the tension between individuals and collective society; notions of hierarchy, gender- and age-based status identities, community relations, and the effects of social change. Students are expected to think critically about current events in Japan and apply these ideas to their own culture and society.

Assessment

Tutorial participation, and a 90-minute mid-term examination of 1500 words, and written work totalling 2500 words. Students are required to attend a minimum of 70% of all classes in order to be eligible to submit the final essay.

Prescribed Texts

• R Benedict, The Chrysanthemum and the Sword: Patterns of Japanese Culture. Routledge and Kegan Paul 1977.
• T C Bestor, Neighborhood Tokyo. Stanford University Press 1989.
• D Kondo, Crafting Selves: Power, Gender and Discourses of Identity in a Japanese Workplace. University of Chicago Press 1990.