JAP4530 ¨C Topics in Japanese Society and Politics

Course content

In this graduate-level seminar, students will explore key issues in contemporary Japanese society and politics from an interdisciplinary perspective. The course centers on a different theme each semester.

In this graduate-level seminar we will analyze key-issues of modern and contemporary Japanese politics, society and international relations. Since last year was focused on society, this year we will deal with politics, government and international relations. We will focus on central problems that may include such themes as Japanese democracy, two-party rule, populism, immigration, change of the constitution, wartime issues, nationalism, Asian regionalism, Japanese views of the outside world, the expanding role of Japanese military, the US-Japan alliance and other security issues, free trade agreements, and Japan¡¯s position within Asia in the light of the recent rise of China. We will do so on the basis of Japanese primary sources and English-language academic sources. The latter will include sources that provide an international perspective and related theoretical background in the fields of political science and international relations.

The content of this course is not pre-determined. As far as possible this course will be given detailed content by the students themselves, on the basis of their interests and/or the themes of their theses. We will have a first preliminary meeting where we we will discuss and decide the content of this year¡¯s course. Two thirds of the meetings will consist of lectures, student presentations and discussions. The remaining third will consist of reading selections of Japanese primary sources translated by the students in advance.

The meetings are centred on debates in the field of Japanese politics, government, and international relations and you will join the debate on the basis of your own analysis of the different opinions of specialists in the field and your translation of Japanese primary sources. We will link the debate on Japan to wider debates including other parts of the world in order to make a comparative analysis with other societies, political systems and international political developments.

Learning outcome

This course is aimed to develop the students¡¯ knowledge of central issues in modern and contemporary Japanese politics, government and international relations.

The course also aims to provide an international perspective and theoretical content in the fields of political science and international relations.

You will be trained in reading and interpreting Japanese primary sources, in searching, analyzing and comparing secondary sources, and in giving a presentation and writing an academic article with theoretical and analytical components.

Admission to the course

Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.

If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.

Formal prerequisite knowledge

Admission to HFM2 JAPST:AAS

Knowledge of both English and Japanese is required, as we will engage with sources in both languages. The course will be conducted in English.

Teaching

The course consists of 10 classes of 3 hours each. Students are expected to be prepared to classes and to participate actively in discussion.

Obligatory activities:

• Attendance to at least 8 of 10 classes
• Presentation(s)
• Providing readings for the class related to the presentations
• Translations of Japanese texts
• Paper outline and list of sources for the final paper

The obligatory activities are only valid for one semester. All obligatory activities must be approved in order to qualify for the exam. It is the student¡¯s responsibility to keep track of any absence from class, and to check whether or not the compulsory activities are approved.

This is how you apply for valid absence from compulsory activities/compulsory attendance.

Access to teaching

A student who has completed compulsory instruction and coursework and has had these approved, is not entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework. A student who has been admitted to a course, but who has not completed compulsory instruction and coursework or had these approved, is entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework, depending on available capacity.

Examination

The examination consists of an essay (10 pages ¨¢ 2300 charachters, spacing excluded) on a topic of your own choice, that is within the framework of this year¡¯s content of the course, and that ideally is based on your presentation. The topic is subject to prior approval by the instructor.

The obligatory activities must be approved by the teacher in order to take the exam. Please see "Teaching" for more information.

Language of examination

The examination text is given in English, and you submit your response in English.

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.

More about examinations at UiO

• Use of sources and citations
• Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
• Withdrawal from an exam
• Illness at exams / postponed exams
• Explanation of grades and appeals
• Resitting an exam
• Cheating/attempted cheating

You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.