Course Details
Course offered Spring 2019
HONORS 384 A: Japanese Politics and Society (A&H / SSc)
HONORS 384 A: Japanese Politics and Society (A&H / SSc)
SLN 14988 (View UW registration info »)
Kristi Govella (Jackson School of International Studies)
Email: kgovella@uw.edu
Email: kgovella@uw.edu
Credits: 3
Limit: 18 students
Only for students accepted to the Japan Study Abroad Program
This seminar will prepare students to engage in in-depth study and travel in Japan through lectures, films, and discussions. The course will begin with a brief overview of Japanese history to provide a foundation for our discussions of contemporary issues. In order to better understand the transformation that Japan is experiencing today, we examine key domestic institutions and actors in Japan, including the major political parties, the bureaucracy, business, civil society, and the media. We will also consider important issues in Japan’s relations with its Asian neighbors and the United States. Throughout these discussions, students will be introduced to major theories from history, political science, economics, sociology, and anthropology in order to put Japan into comparative context. The course will also provide a practical guide to Japanese culture and customs. At the end of the quarter, each student will propose an independent project to pursue during their summer study abroad experience.