Contemporary Japan

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2013:

2.5 contact hours/week , 6.0 additional hours/week. Total of 8.5 hours per week.

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For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

This subject examines basic themes in contemporary Japanese society, as well as commonly used theoretical models. Topics for discussion include the tension between individuals and collective society; notions of regional, gender and age-based status identities and the effects of social change. Students are expected to think critically about current events in Japan and apply these ideas to their own culture and society.

• demonstrate a familiarity with various themes in contemporary Japanese society.
• demonstrate a familiarity with various social science models commonly used to interpret Japanese society.
• demonstrate a familiarity with the English language writings on these issues.
• acquire an understanding of cultural context through developing a critical self awareness, being open to new ideas and possibilities and by constructing an argument.
• acquire skills to critically think and analyse through required reading, essay writing and tutorial discussion, and by determining the strength of an argument.
• be able to communicate knowledge intelligibly and economically through essay and examination writing, and tutorial discussion.

• Annotated Bibliography and Outline 10% (500 words, due early semester);

• Article Review 35% (1500 words, due mid-semester);

• Take-home exam 45% (2000 words, due during the exam period);

• Class participation 10% based on contribution to class discussion in tutorials.

Materials supplied by the Asia Institute, including Understanding Japanese Society (J Hendry) Routledge 2004

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This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

• Bachelor of Biomedicine
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Engineering

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

• written communication through essay writing and seminar discussion.
• attention to detail through essay preparation and writing.
• time management and planning through managing and organising workloads for recommended reading, essay and assignment completion.
• public speaking through tutorial and seminar discussion and class presentations.
• critical thinking and analysis through recommended reading, essay writing and tutorial discussion, and by determining strength of an argument.
• research through competent use of the library, and other information sources and the definition of areas of inquiry and methods of research.
• develop cultural thinking through essay writing and tutorial discussion.

Formerly available as 110-220 and 110-116 Contemporary Japanese Society. Students who have completed 110-220 in 2004 or 2005 or 110-116 are not eligible to enrol in this subject.