Admission requirements
There are no specific entry requirements for this course.
Description
Materiality is fundamental for the understanding of every society and culture. At work, at rest, at play, whether other people are involved or not, material things accompany the activities of our body and provide the environment for everything we do. We also express ourselves through the way we live with and use objects.
This course will focus on objects that constitute the core of daily life in contemporary Japan, from modes of transportation and communication to food and clothing. We will concentrate on two processes: 1) Westernization of Japanese material culture since the early twentieth century; and 2) the global spread of new forms of Japanese material culture that had emerged as a result of domestication of foreign elements.
Course objectives
The main objective of this course is to explore contemporary Japan from a micro-perspective, illuminating the impact of historical forces on everyday life. Furthermore, the course will introduce students to material culture studies, a multidisciplinary field of study that focuses on the relationship between human beings and material objects. Finally, the course is intended to help student to develop academic skills, in particular critical analysis of textual and visual sources.
Timetable
The timetables are available through My Timetable.
Mode of instruction
- Lecture
Assessment method
- Participation element (presentation): 30%
- Analytical element (final exam): 70%
In order to pass the course the students must receive a passing grade (6 or higher) for the exam. The final mark will be determined as the weighted average of the two elements. Students who fail the participation element will have an opportunity to submit a 1000 word essay.
Resit for the final exam will be scheduled.
Debriefing exam:
Students may make an individual appointment with the instructor within 30 days of the announcement of the exam grades in order to view their exam.
Reading list
Readings will be available for download from BrightSpace or via the University Library.
Registration
Enrolment through My Studymap is mandatory.
Registration Studeren à la carte and Contractonderwijs
Registration Contractonderwijs
Contact
For substantive questions, contact the lecturer listed in the right information bar.
For questions about enrolment, admission, etc, contact the Education Administration Office: Vrieshof
Remarks
Not applicable