Admission requirements
None.
Description
Commuting, shopping, traveling and eating out are only some examples of human interactions mediated by material elements. While it is possible to separate the study of materiality from that of social practices, it is only by connecting things to practices that individuals look for and express meaning. Ultimately, the texture of our everyday life is a product of both tangible and intangible elements of culture.
This course will focus on quotidian scenarios in contemporary Japan from the perspective of the complementarity of objects to the practices they are a part of. We will visit Japan’s shopping malls, karaoke booths, train stations and sport venues, but we will also travel to rural peripheries where the experiences of locals and tourists intermingle. Drawing from a variety of qualitative approaches, such as cultural anthropology, material culture studies, and sensory studies, we will explore 1) what ordinary objects can reveal about contemporary Japanese lifestyles, and 2) how Japanese culture mobilizes the senses in everyday situations.
Course objectives
The main objective of this course is to introduce students to sources and methods for the study of contemporary Japan from a micro-perspective. The course is also intended to help students in developing academic skills, in particular preparing for a group presentation and writing academic essays.
Timetable
The timetables are available through My Timetable.
Mode of instruction
Seminar
Assessment method
Written examination with closed questions (eg multiple choice)
Written examination with short open questions
Written examination with essay questions
Active Participation/coöperation in class/group
Essay, paper
Assessment
- Participation element (attendance, webposts, in-class activities): 20%
- Mid-term exam (multiple choice questions, short open questions and essay questions): 30%
- Group Project (research paper of approx. 4500 words): 50%
Weighing
The final mark for the course is established by (i) determination of the weighted average combined with (ii) the additional requirement that all elements must receive a passing grade (6 or higher).
Resit
There are no ‘resits’ for the participation element.
Resit for the mid-term exam will be scheduled in December.
Two deadlines will be provided for the submission of the paper.
Inspection and feedback
How and when an exam review will take place will be disclosed together with the publication of the exam results at the latest. If a student requests a review within 30 days after publication of the exam results, an exam review will have to be organized.
Students who do not submit the paper by the first deadline, relinguish their right for feedback.
Reading list
The required readings are either available on the digital course bookshelf or on Brightspace.
Registration
Enrolment through MyStudyMap is mandatory.
General information about course and exam enrolment is available on the website.
Registration À la carte education, Contract teaching and Exchange
Information for those interested in taking this course in context of À la carte education (without taking examinations), eg. about costs, registration and conditions.
Information for those interested in taking this course in context of Contract teaching (with taking examinations), eg. about costs, registration and conditions.
For the registration of exchange students contact Humanities International Office.
Contact
For substantive questions, contact the lecturer listed in the right information bar.
For questions about enrolment, admission, etc, contact the Education Administration Office Herta Mohr
Remarks
Not applicable