Course Overview

This course is offered to students who are interested in the historical development of Japanese education. The course looks at the processes of the foundation of the Japanese education system and the formation of a modern state in Japan. Special reference is made to the past and present dimensions of patterns of the cross-national transfer of policy for education. Thus international and comparative perspectives are welcome throughout the course.

Learning Achievement

1. Participants understand educational development in the context of international and domestic politics.
2. Participants analyse educational issues in international and comparative perspectives.
3. Participants throw out their viewpoints during the class and demonstrate their insightful analysis in the class.
4. Participants become capable of studying the relevant literature on theoretical approaches to educational issues.

Competence

The course looks at processes within which education has played a vital role in the formation of a modern state and society in Japan. Special reference is made to the past and present dimensions of educational interaction between Japan and other countries. Current issues in Japanese education are explored based on my professional experiences as a school teacher in lower and upper secondary education. Particularly, problems of the Japanese youth, e.g. student delinquency, and history teaching are discussed.

1. General-propose competence: communicative ability, critical and creative thinking skills, broad perspective and internationalism, collaborative, independent & autonomous skills.
2. Special competence: understanding international relations, analytical skills on international relations, ability of logical expression on international relations, understanding international development, analytical skills on international development, ability of logical expression on international development.

Course prerequisites

Students must attend the 1st and/or the 2nd class. The frist attendance in the 3rd class is not accepted.
It is essential that all students prepare for each class, i.e. given reading materials and homework.

Grading Philosophy

Attendance (30%); Performance (incl. discussion, homework, presentation) (40%); and End-of-term paper (30%).

Course schedule

Orientation (incl. course schedule, evaluation, term paper, basic rules)
Slow genesis of development of education in Japan
The burgeoning of modern education in Japan
Elite formation
Nationalism and education
Presentation (1)
'Democratisation' and 'de-militalisation' of education
The legacy of WWII
Current issues
Presentation (2)

Course type

Lectures

Online Course Requirement

Instructor

Shibata Masako

Other information

The course looks at processes within which education has played a vital role in the formation of a modern state and society in Japan. Special reference is made to the past and present dimensions of educational interaction between Japan and other countries.

Site for Inquiry

Link to the syllabus provided by the university