Suchen nach Veranstaltungen - Einzelansicht

The first session will take place in LE 736. The instructor will then decide if the course has to be moved to a bigger room depending on participant numbers. (LK 061)

Course Description and Overview

This course accompanies the course “Institutions and Organizations in Japan: Migration in Japan.” In this seminar, we will learn about the introductory training on conducting social scientific research and writing, especially on Japanese society. We will learn how to develop significant research questions and be exposed to multiple ways of collecting information to answer their own research questions. The course is divided into three parts: 1) approach to craft sociological research question 2) practical method for gathering data on Japan 3) general sociological methods and approaches for analyzing data. The course is designed for students focusing on qualitative/humanistic social science approaches mainly in sociology and politics with some historical perspectives. However, the course should also be instructive for those who are interested in Japanese studies in general and sociological research in other East Asian countries as well.

Course Objectives

By the end of the course you are expected to gain knowledge and skills to develop your own research project on Japan including your upcoming MA thesis. This includes, 1) crafting research question through discussion with data and preliminary research 2) way to gather print, online and ethnographic data 3) methods and approaches to analyze data. Throughout the course, instructor will provide guidance on how to think and analyze comparatively and critically about Japan. Hence, students are expected to learn multiple approaches to understand and capture the complexity of Japanese society with original insights and interpretation.

Assessment

- Overall Class Format

The course follows a mixed lecture-seminar format, combining formal presentations, short lectures, and group discussion designed for graduate students (and senior undergraduate students) in IN-EAST. Each student is required to make a presentation on assigned readings during the semester (combined with “Institution” class). In the class, followed by the presentation, students are expected to discuss on the topics through critical readings of the materials. Student will choose a topic related to the themes of the course for the final paper. 

- Reading assignments (every week)

Usually, there will be a reading assignment every week for you to work on. The reading is required and you are expected to bring along questions and comments on the text for each seminar. 

- Reading Presentations (1 time)

On the first week of the class, you will be asked to choose a reading material, which you may want to present during the semester. Once you are assigned, you are expected to read thoroughly and critically and prepare materials (e.g. memo, power point slides) for you to present in front of the class. Approx. 10-15 minutes for each presentation.

-          Literature Review

As a specific assignment for the class “Research” you will need to submit a 2-3 pages literature review related to your own research topic. Instruction for writing reviews will be discussed in the session.

-          Paper Presentation

On the final week of the class you will present the progress of your final paper.

- Final paper

Approximate length of the paper is 15 pages and the final deadline for submission is on Friday August 16^th, 2019 (electric submission). You will receive a grade by the end of September 2019. Please refer to “Guideline for Writing Assignments” in Moodle for format and other technical issues for the final paper.

Note: Since this course is paired module with “Institutions and Organizations in Japan: Migration in Japan” you will only need to write one paper for the two courses.