Students will be introduced to elements of modern Japanese society with a focus on daily life and some of the issues that Japan will have to face in the near future.

1.The goal of this class is to gain a broader understanding of contemporary and future Japan.
2.Students will be asked to do an individual or group presentation on a dialect of their own language.
3.As such, individual or group work outside class will be required.

Japanese society, corporate culture, robotization, immigration

B-1．学生同士の話し合いの中で互いの意見に触れる機会がある。：1～25％
C-1．自分の意見をまとめて発表する機会がある。：26～50％
B-2．事前学習（下調べ、調査等含む）をした上で、他の学生の意見を尊重しつつグループとしての結論を出すために議論をする機会がある。：1～25％
C-2．事前学習（下調べ、調査等含む）をした上で、プレゼンテーションを行い、互いに質疑応答や議論を行う機会がある。：26～50％
B-3．習得した知識を活用する中で、学生グループがテーマや目的などを主体的に定めて課題探究型学習を行い、互いの考えを理解し合う中から新たに独自の意見や考え方を創り出す機会がある。：1～25％
C-3．習得した知識を活用する中で、学生自身がテーマや目的などを主体的に定めて課題探究型学習を行い、その成果を発表し理解してもらえるようプレゼンテーション、質疑応答、リフレクションを行う機会がある。：26～50％

This class introduces students to elements of Japanese society in order to broaden their views and rediscover elements of their own culture in the process.

10.人や国の不平等をなくそう

Topics regarding Japanese customs, language, corporate society and some of the issues Japan faces regarding its declining birthrate and aging population will be introduced every week. Questions will be asked in class to the students for them to discuss and answer. Students will have to do a personal or group presentation in front of the class based on the topics introduced and a subject of their own choosing.

1. Class introduction and basics on Japanese society
2.~4. Japanese customs
5.~6. Japanese corporate culture
7.~9. Japan’s declining birthrate and aging society
10.~14. Students’ presentations
15. Class conclusion and overall review

Students should take notes on contents introduced in class for better comprehension.
Outside research, asking questions, making comments and starting discussions on the topics introduced is encouraged.
The subject, contents and production of the final presentation should be thoroughly prepared, and if doing a group presentation, discussed with classmates.

Classes of 90 minutes will be held 15 times over the course of the semester.
Students should complement their study of topics introduced in class with outside research between classes.
Homework will be given to do mid-semester.
Students will need to prepare a presentation outside of class.

Participation to discussions in class will be evaluated.
Contents, materials used, originality, thoroughness, ease of understanding, design and uniqueness of the final presentation will be evaluated.

Participation in class: 30 points
Final presentation: 70 points

Related books, papers and media will be introduced and referred to during the presentation of contents.

This class is for students who are interested in the day-to-day contemporary Japan from a society point of view more than a pure, traditional cultural one.

Inquiries should be done before or after class, or by email.