1. Spring 2017
Japanese Society II: Contemporary Japan
Instructor: Robert Croker
Course Description:
The purpose of this course is to provide a broad overview of life in Japan in the early twenty-first
century. The course focuses on socialization or ‘processes of becoming,’ such as how a child learns to
‘become Japanese’ at home and at pre-school, the educational and social processes that shape a young
person’s life, the daily lives of Japanese youth, and how Japanese people learn to play ‘appropriate’
roles as ‘shakai-jin’. It also explores how gender is ‘performed’ in Japan, detours into popular culture,
and then focuses upon cultural diversity in Japan before concluding with a look at the experiences of
becoming old in the world’s oldest society. By the end of the course, you should have developed a deep
sense of what life is like in contemporary Japan.
At the beginning of each class, the instructor will provide a short overview lecture about that
week’s topic, augmented by video and other visual media; occasionally, guest speakers will also come
in to talk about their field. Then, in small groups of three or four students, each of you will lead a
discussion about one reading that you have read for homework and prepared a summary of; you will
also participate in discussions lead by other students about their readings. Japanese students will join
us each week as ‘cultural guides’ to share their perspectives and to answer your questions about
contemporary Japanese culture and society. At the end of each class there will be a class discussion or
debate. Occasional fieldtrips will also be organized to see interesting local festivals; joining these
fieldtrips is optional but recommended. Your thoughtful, active participation throughout the course is
expected.
Course Goals:
You will understand:
how Japanese people learn to ‘become Japanese’
how Japanese people ‘perform’ being Japanese
underlying cultural understandings, expectations and beliefs
basic sociological and anthropological theories of society and culture
the cultural diversity of Japan
Course Schedule:
1. life cycle rituals in Japan – from before birth to long after death (January 31)
2. seasonal and other rituals in Japan – a peek into modern life (February 14)
3. Japan in the 21st century – a rapidly changing society (February 15)
4. ways of seeing Japan – Japanese culture or Japanese cultures? (February 21)
5. becoming Japanese at home – experiencing amae in the uchi (February 28)
6. becoming Japanese at pre-school and primary school – learning (to be) in a group (March 7)
7. being a Japanese student – high school chigoku, university tengoku (March 14)
8. becoming a Japanese youth – developing fashionable passivity (March 28)
9. modern female life – (un)bounded by tradition (April 4)
10. modern male life – corporate warriors in the (1LDK) kitchen (April 11)
11. exploring diversity in Japan – Japanese culture or Japanese cultures? (April 18)
12. becoming old in Japan – gateball and diapers (April 25)
13. final written examination (May 9)
Study Time (outside class):
To prepare for each class, read one of the assigned readings and create a summary and discussion
points or questions – failure to do so will be considered an absence, as you have a responsibility to the
other members of your discussion group to be fully prepared.
At the end of the semester, prepare for the final written test.
Texts:
The readings for each week are provided the week before, and are also available on the class
homepage. Each reading is about one chapter long, but some are longer for those students who are