Program Description

This interdisciplinary study abroad program in Japan explores the complex and evolving web of narratives surrounding Japanese national identity. Japan is often considered a puzzle for observers. It experienced unexpectedly phenomenal growth during the post-World War II era, yet it has now spent over two “lost decades” mired in economic doldrums. Japan has a vibrant and mature democracy, yet it has been dominated by a single political party for over 60 years. It is considered a powerhouse of cultural appeal and goodwill by some countries, yet it has heated historical disputes with its Asian neighbors over its imperial past. Japan formally renounced war in its “peace constitution,” but its Self-Defense Forces are considered by many to be one of the most sophisticated militaries in the world.

This program explores these puzzles and more from a variety of perspectives, including history, politics, economics, society, race, gender, culture, literature and the arts. In addition to attending lectures by faculty, students will have the opportunity to experience Japan through visits to important historical and cultural sites in Tokyo and other parts of Japan, including a one-week excursion to Kyoto, Hiroshima, and Miyajima. Participants will also have opportunities to meet current students studying at Waseda University. Other course components include: readings, writing assignments, research, blog posts, reflection, individual check-ins with instructors, and free time for exploration. Students are expected to maintain a research and reflective portfolio and present their final paper and reflection at the end of the program.

Housing

Students are housed in dorms at the Olympic Complex in Tokyo (NYC). Students will have their own room and bathroom in Tokyo and shared hotel or hostel rooms in Hiroshima and Kyoto. The housing selected is clean, safe, and secure with regulation safety features and strong security at all gates and within the buildings.

Program Credit / Course Description

HONORS 384 (VLPA/I&S) – 3 credits Spring Quarter Seminar 

Introduction to Japanese Politics and Society

This seminar will prepare students to engage in in-depth study and travel in Japan through lectures, films, and discussions. The course will begin with a brief overview of Japanese history to provide a foundation for our discussions of contemporary issues. In order to better understand the transformation that Japan is experiencing today, we examine key domestic institutions and actors in Japan, including the major political parties, the bureaucracy, business, civil society, and the media. We will also consider important issues in Japan’s relations with its Asian neighbors and the United States. Throughout these discussions, students will be introduced to major theories from history, political science, economics, sociology, and anthropology in order to put Japan into comparative context. The course will also provide a practical guide to Japanese culture and customs. At the end of the quarter, each student will propose an independent project to pursue during their summer study abroad experience.

HONORS 233 (I&S) – 5 credits

Japanese Politics, Economics, and Security in Transition

This interdisciplinary course explores some of the most controversial political, economic, and security issues in Japan today and their links to Japan’s evolving sense of national identity. We focus primarily on the period from the 1990s to the present, examining important shifts precipitated by the end of the Cold War and the bursting of the Japanese economic bubble. We examine Japan’s changing politics, using the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster as a lens through which to examine state-society relations. We then turn to Japan’s changing foreign policy, addressing basing issues, constitutional revision, historical disputes, and soft power. The final section of the course explores changing economics and society during Japan’s “lost decades” in terms of changing employment trends, demographic change, gender, race, and mental health. We also problematize how these issues have been reported in the media.

HONORS 213 (VLPA) – 5 credits

Narratives of Migrant and Mixed ‘Race’ Identities in Japan

This course investigates individual, cultural, and national identity formation, what determines identity labels and who defines social capital. We will use a comparative interdisciplinary model with a foundation in cultural studies/literary studies to learn about topics including: identity and environment; global migration; borders and frontiers (territory issues and global ramifications related to national and individual identity formation; border policy); refugee/migration movements in Japan, Korea, and China and comparatively US border history and policy related to identity politics and the view of the “refugee and “immigrant” as cultural tokens and foils.

HONORS 384 (VLPA/I&S) – 2 credits

Independent Research on Japan

Building on the proposal developed in the spring, each student will conduct an independent research project related to the larger theme of the program. In consultation with instructors, they will develop a plan for developing this project while in Japan. Students will regularly discuss and write about their research as it progresses and they will also work together collaboratively with other students in small groups both in Seattle and Japan. At the end of the program, students will present their research and submit a paper discussing their work.