Seminar in Studies of Multicultural Societies

Viktoriya KIM (Graduate School of Human Sciences)

Course Objective
   In an era of globalization and multicultural coexistence, government policies towards culturally diverse groups and the effect of multiculturalism on societies are key issues in various countries, including Japan. Working critically with a concept of multiculturalism, this course is designed to introduce students to theories concerning the origins of multiculturalism, historical cases of multicultural societies, and problems and challenges that contemporary societies, such as European countries and the USA, face. We will also pay particular attention to Japanese society as a relative late comer to the discourse of multiculturalism, including historical aspects of its cultural development, in addition to exploring issues and challenges that must be solved in near future.

Requirement / Prerequisite
   No

Course Content
   Week 1. Introduction to Course. Definition of Multicultural Society and Introduction to Issues in Contemporary Multicultural Societies
   Week 2. Contemporary Migration
   Week 3. Assimilation, Transnationalism, Multiculturalism
   Week 4. Multicultural Education
   Week 5. Multicultural Societies. USA
   Week 6. Germany
   Week 7. Great Britain
   Week 8. Japan as Multicultural Society. Historical Perspective. Discourse of 'Japaneseness'
   Week 9. Japan's Citizenship Politics
   Week 10. Minorities in Japan
   Week 11. Migration to Japan
   Week 12. Multiculturalism in Japan
   Week 13. Multicultural Education in Japan. Education of Long-Existing Minorities
   Week 14. Education of Newcomers in Japan
   Week 15. Course Review

Class Plan
   The course will be delivered utilizing a blend of lectures and students' presentations, practical activities, group discussions and case study investigations. Students are expected to prepare for each class by doing all required readings and assignments, and participate in class discussions.

Textbooks
   Students will be provided with readings and all other necessary materials throughout the course.

Grading Policy

• Attendance and Class Participation: 10%
  You are expected to attend each class session and engage in active discussion.
• Response Papers: 30% (10%×3)
  Each student, who is not a presenter, should submit short op-eds on the topic discussed in classes (1 page, A4, Arial 12 points, 1.5 spacing).
• Presentation: 60% (30%×2)
  In this assignment students will be expected to present reading materials related to the topic of the week. The presentation should discuss the contents of the given readings, student's evaluation and critique, as well as other data and references. Each presentation should last no longer than 20-25 minutes.