JAP4530 – Topics in Japanese Society and Politics
Schedule, syllabus and examination date
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. 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.
Admission to Japanese Studies (programme option)
Formal prerequisite knowledge
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:
- Obligatory attendance: You are required to attend 80% of the seminar teaching. In this course, you must attend 8 out of 10 classes
- Oral assignment: Presentation(s)
- Providing readings for the class related to the presentations
- Written assignment: Translations of Japanese texts
- Written assignment: Paper outline and list of sources for the final paper
Approval of the compulsory draft of the term paper is only valid for the current semester. If you retake the course, you must submit a new draft in the semester in which you are taking the exam.?
You will find more information about the requirements for the compulsory assignment(s) and the submission deadline in Canvas.?
All compulsory activities must be approved to qualify for the exam. It is your responsibility to verify that you have obtained approval for all compulsory activities.?
Absence from compulsory activities:?
It is important that you familiarize yourself with the rules regarding absence from compulsory activities, to prevent being excluded from teaching and losing your eligibility to take the exam.?
More information on compulsory activities at the University of Oslo:?
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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
Term paper
The assignment should consist of 10 pages. One standard page is approximately 2300 characters without spaces, including references. The front page and bibliography are not included in the page count.?
The paper needs to account for and discuss one or more methods that you will employ in your MA thesis, reflecting on the strengths but also the limitations of your chosen methodology. It also has to contain reflections on this process based on at least two relevant academic publications regarding research methodology.
The detailed information regarding the exam format will be announced on Canvas.?
You must submit the exam in Inspera - see guides for digital exams?
You are personally responsible for familiarizing yourself with the requirements and deadlines for the exam.?
All compulsory activities must be completed and approved in order to take the exam.?
You can find more information about the exam on the semester page of the course.?
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.