Course

Course code: COSB55
Swedish title: Asienstudier: Dagens japanska samhälle
Credits: 7.5

Study period: autumn semester 2024
Type of studies: part time, 50 %, distance course
Study period: 2024-09-02 – 2024-10-31
Language of instruction: English
Application code: LU-19501
Eligibility: General entry requirements and at least 30 higher education credits.
Oral and written proficiency in English equivalent to English 6/B from Swedish upper secondary school is a requirement. International qualifications will be assessed in accordance with national guidelines.
A general exemption from the requirement of proficiency in Swedish is applied.

• Syllabus
• Syllabus (in Swedish)

• The schedule will be published 2024-06-20.
• Library Guide

Description

Study contemporary Japan! This course examines contemporary Japanese society, focusing on issues such as politics, pop culture, demographic change and environment. We go beyond media stereotypes and internet cliches to get a deeper understanding of what Japan is and where it's going.

This course provides you with basic knowledge of key issues of present-day Japanese society.

The focus is on post-Cold War Japan, with special emphasis on the period after the earthquake, the tsunami and the nuclear accident in 2011. Apart from discussing a number of critical issues, we also highlight the interrelationship of these issues and problems.  In order to understand, for example, the debate about Japan as an aging society with low fertility, it is necessary to understand the Japanese position with regard to immigration, gender and hi-tech robotics.

In the course we also address more conventional issues affecting society. The topics discussed include the success of the Liberal Democratic party that has led the country since 1945 and Japan's role and status in an increasingly uncertain East Asian region and on the global arena.

Included parts

• Individual seminar paper, 3 credits
  
• Individual home exam, 4.5 credits