Asian Studies B

This course explores the significant transformations taking place in Asia as a result of globalization, with a particular focus on Japan and Southeast Asia. Students will examine the social, cultural, political, and economic aspects of Asian modernization by utilizing a variety of materials, including ethnographies, textbook chapters, articles, images, and film clips. The aim is to analyze how global and local processes interact and impact local lives.

The first part of the course introduces interdisciplinary approaches to Asian Studies. It offers an overview of the region's dynamics in the context of globalization, including cultural exchanges, conflicts, and power relations. The second part discusses contemporary thematic issues in Asia, emphasizing the historical and socio-cultural contexts that influence these challenges.

1. Students will learn about change and development in Asia, as well as their impacts and consequences.
2. Students will gain an understanding of the current debates surrounding contemporary Asian societies and cultures from multiple perspectives.
3. This course will prepare students to engage in cultural diversity, differences, and conflicts in today’s globalized society by equipping them with essential critical analytical thinking skills needed to navigate cultural differences effectively.

This course will be held on campus. Teaching will include lectures, discussions, and media such as PowerPoint presentations and film clips. Readings will come from textbooks, ethnographies, and academic papers to enhance understanding of contemporary Asian cultures and societies.
The course promotes an interactive learning environment that encourages dialogue between the instructor and students and among peers. The instructor and students will actively collaborate to achieve the course goals. One week before each class, students will receive a digital handout to read.

Students will receive detailed comments on their reflection papers before the start of the student’s seminars.

Students are required to read the assigned readings thoroughly before attending class and to actively participate in class discussions by sharing their ideas.
Each student must choose two themes or topics from the readings to write two short reflection papers, which they will present during the student seminars.
Each reflection paper should be approximately two pages long, formatted on A4-sized paper with Times New Roman font in size twelve and double line spacing.

1回の授業につき予習・復習あわせて最低4時間の学修が必要となります。
「授業時間外の学修（予習・復習等）」に明記されている想定学修時間の合計が4時間を上回っている場合は、その学修時間を必要とします。

• Class participation, reading summary, quiz, and oral presentation (30%)
• A midterm scholarly essay in English (30%)
• A final scholarly report in English (40%)
Total: 100%
(Grading criteria for this course are based on the guidelines of Seijo University)

No textbooks are required. The instructor will provide all assigned readings to students electronically.

Suggested readings:
Davies, Gloria, and Chris Nyland. (eds). 2004. Globalization in the Asian Region: Impacts &
Consequences. Northampton, USA: Edward Elgar, Inc.
Ijichi, Noriko, Atsufumi Kato, and Ryoko Sakurada (eds). 2015. Rethinking Representations of Asian
Women: Changes, Continuity, and Everyday Life. Palgrave Macmillan.
Kim Kyong-dong. 2018. Alternative Discourses on Modernization and Development: East Asian
Perspectives. Palgrave Macmillan.
Rigg, Jonathan. 1997. Southeast Asia. London and New York: Routledge.

The instructor will supplement the above readings with materials from relevant texts, ethnographies, academic papers, and short essays. Copies of these will be sent to students electronically.

No prior knowledge of Asia is required. Students should read the assigned materials before class and participate actively in discussions.