Objectives:

The course will give the students an introduction to contemporary Japan and the Japanese mentality. The course aims to describe Japan as it is today, and at the same time go beyond popular and stereotyped images to examine the more complex realities of modern Japan and its people. It will also attempt to assess the changes taking place in Japan today and to indicate the direction in which the country is travelling as it enters a new millennium.

Contents:

Japan in the 21st century

• politics
• economy
• education
• role in the world
• customs and etiquette

Japanese culture in a historical perspective

• religion
• the Imperial Order
• geographical circumstances
• traditional arts and their roots

Challenges facing modern Japanese society.

A short introduction to Japanese language and sign history

Organisation:

Lectures twice a week in the afternoons for 12 weeks, Mondays and Thursdays from 17.00 until 19.00 hrs.

First lecture: Monday January 15th 2007.

Course requirements

Two essays to be handed in after four and eight weeks.

Evaluation and exam:

A written exam, four hours, grading A-F

Literature:

Morton, W. Scott and Olenik, J. Kenneth, USA 2005 4th edition: Japan: Its history and culture (336 pages)

Yoda, Tomiko (ed.) /Harootunian, Harry (ed.): Japan After Japan: Social and cultural Life from the Recessionary 1990s to the Present (447 pages), Duke university press; August 2006

Gronning, Terje (ed.) : Vinduer mot Japan, Tapir Akademisk, Trondheim 2005

Evaluation and quality

The course will be evaluated in accordance with the institutions’ standard regulations.