Content & Aims
In comparative studies Japan represents an important deviation from the ‘liberal market’ and individualistic societies of the UK and US, while exhibiting strong similarities with the social institutional arrangements, relative equality and high degrees of social integration credited to western European societies. Many of these differences can be traced back to the development of governmental and democratic institutions in Japan. Recently however, the strengths of Japanese social and political institutions have been called into question. Especially the seeming lack of reform potential, in the context of globalization, the rise of China as a regional power and dramatic demographic changes have highlighted the lack of social and political capacities for reform.
The aim of this course is to understand the origins of Japanese social and political institutions, how they compare to European cases, with an emphasis on the form of capitalism, employment, welfare and social policy, gender division of labor, the family, migration and ethnicity, political parties, and election dynamics as well as policy formation.
Requirements
- Active participation
- Preparation of the required readings (at least 2 questions concerning each text)
- Presentation based on the readings in “Institutions and Organizations in Japan”
- Research paper (for whole module/both seminars)
This course (hereafter “Institutions”) is part of the CEAS/MEAS module by the same name, and students are expected to attend the second part of the module, "Research on Japanese Social Institutional Change" (hereafter “Research”) in parallel.
The “Institutions” seminar provides the theoretical and analytical preparation for independent research, while “Research” supports methodological and empirical research development for CEAS and MEAS students specializing in Society and Politics of Japan. Students are expected to attend both seminars regularly and to complete an estimated six hours total of preparation per week, half of which is for meeting preparation (reading, taking notes, preparing discussion questions for each meeting, preparation of a presentation based on the readings at least once during the semester in "Institutions," completing practice exercises as assigned in "Research"), and half of which is self-directed research for the final paper.
The weekly course meetings are not structured as lectures, but rather as discussions of the specific topic, on the basis of the required readings. Usually, the lecturer will prepare a short lecture to introduce the topic, then turn over the meeting to a student, who will be responsible for leading the discussion, with the preparation of a very brief summary (no more than 5 power point slides). Other participants are also expected to complete the reading, and arrive in class with discussion questions and comments.
Final Paper
The “Research” seminar will include coaching for developing the structure and content of a research paper. The research paper will generally be based on the chosen session topic. Further details will be announced in the "Research" seminar. Research papers are due by Friday, 19th August 2016. Students will receive a grade by the end of September 2016.
Grading
Students will be evaluated on the basis of their assignments, active participation in discussions, on their presentation and leading one of the discussions, preparation of literature, and for the final research paper. Coursework (attendance, presentation, discussion, assignments) in the “Institutions” seminar count for 25% of the final module grade. The research paper counts for 50% of the module grade. An additional 25% of the module grade is determined by participation and assignments in the “Research” seminar.
Institutions 25 %
Research 25 %
Paper 50 %
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Final Grade 100 %
The evaluation is based on both course-specific exercises and participation, and a research paper prepared for the module as a whole. The accompanying "Research" seminar is focused especially on research skills, resources, data and support for producing a strong research-oriented paper.
Course Materials
All required readings for the course will be posted on Moodle, and students are expected to access these materials themselves and prior to class.
Start
"Research" starts on 14th April 2016.
"Institutions" starts on 15th April 2016. |
