Area Studies
Area Studies
Japanese Culture Studies Program
This program is dedicated to exploring the historical change of and contemporary issues in Japanese culture and society, with emphasis on art, literature, history, and thought. The program is based on the idea that a thorough understanding of one’s own native culture and society is essential if one is to play a meaningful role in the international community.
Contemporary Japanese Society (Shizue OSA)
This course deals with problems involving historical research, such as research into the modern world and East Asia, the Japanese Empire and movement/culture of people, and research into World War II and the occupation era.
Traditional Japanese Culture (Motoichi KINOSHITA)
The disposition of the Japanese people is studied, considering narrative traditions, customs, and religious culture
Japanese Culture Representation (Fumiaki ITAKURA)
While using the film studies analysis method on Japanese movies, this course revisits the framework of Japan itself.
Japanese Language and Culture (Nobuyuki KONNO)
The main target of research is the modern idea of Japanese nationalism, while also considering pre-modern nationalism.
Japanese Culture Exchange (Naoko TERAUCHI)
A dynamic exploration of Japanese traditional performing arts in relation to those in other parts of East Asia and the West.
Asia-Pacific Culture Studies Program
This program looks toward the future of the Asia-Pacific region based on an understanding of the history of interactions between different countries and cultures and an assessment of the levels of economic and social development achieved. The instructors represent a broad range of research fields, including history, international economics, international politics, cultural anthropology, and religion. Each of the courses focuses on one of three geographic areas: Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia, or Oceania.
Economic and Cultural Exchange (Kyoichi ISHIHARA)
This course examines globalization and cultural friction, the North-South divide, economic and cultural exchanges and the possibility of peaceful coexistence.
Chinese Social System (Ke WANG)
This course discusses issues related to China’s culture and politics, state and society, center and periphery, and domestic and international affairs.
Cultures and Societies in North Asia (Mamoru HAGIHARA)
The history of North Asia with emphasis on Mongolia. Qing China, Russia and Japan also receive attention.
State-Formation in Southeast Asia (Yasushi SADAYOSHI)
This course discusses on the workings of various types of states in the context of Southeast Asian History.
Religions and Societies in Southeast Asia (Tomomi ITO)
This course focuses on studies of Theravada Buddhist societies in Southeast Asia, especially their traditional social structures and recent movements for social change.
Cultures and Societies in Oceania (Sachiko KUBOTA)
This course considers the society and culture of Oceania, especially international links to the indigenous people of Australia and multiculturalism.
European and American Culture Studies Program
Until now, the world’s politics, economy, culture and society have been lead by the region consisting of Europe and the United States. By studying the literature, philosophy, art and history of the people who live across Europe and the United States, we who live in the non-Western world aim to reexamine and relativize these Western core values, lifestyles and social systems that appear to have taken root in our collective mind.
European Spiritual Culture (Shinsuke TANIMOTO)
This course discusses the human spirit in the turn of the century, which was symbolized by a cultural crisis.
European Civil Society (Hiroko ISHIZUKA)
This course looks at the various problems involved in the transition from aristocracy to democracy in modern Europe, such as those related to royalty, education and leisure.
Contemporary American Studies (Hiroki INOUE)
This course considers what the transformation of the United States will bring to us, analyzed from the point of view of political and social trends in the United States.
Atlantic Ring Culture (Takuya OZAWA)
This course illustrates a plural global history using items now indispensable to our daily lives such as coffee or fruit as indicators.
European Women’s Culture (Chiyo SAKAMOTO)
An exploration of issues related to women in the areas of religion, thought, and art.
Representation of American Cultural Pluralism (Takuya NISHITANI)
The nature of the culture of the United States is explored through art such as literature, movies and music.
European/American Religious Culture (Keiji NOTANI)
This course clarifies aspects of modern society and culture, focusing on Christianity, which has brought about a common culture through the integration of different cultures.