DSCY10080 Gateways to Japan

Academic Year 2023/2024

Japan has a unique strategic position in Asia at a time of rapid global geo-political shift and increasing projected growth in 21st century Asian dominance. Japan has a very stable and successful political and economic system with a highly developed and innovative science and technology sector. Its education system includes some of the most elite university institutions in the world. Its ancient and rich cultural heritage is renowned and admired; more recently, innovation in the creative industries sector highlights Japan’s status as a global cultural force. In the next five years, Japan will host the Rugby World Cup in 2019 and the Olympics and Para-Olympics in 2020. This module introduces students to key aspects of contemporary Japan from social, political, economic and cultural perspectives. It provides general information about life in Japan, with the themes ranging from Japanese language, history, literature, business, diplomacy, pop and traditional culture, healthcare, science & technology and education. It seeks to locate Japan, not as a country far away in the Far East, but as a country lived, experienced, and analysed by Irish and non-Japanese people, as well as by Japanese themselves. There will be some guest lecturers who are experts in different disciplines and have seen Japan through different lenses. The module therefore is designed in particular to sensitise students to one of the major Asian cultures, and provides those from all disciplines with an opportunity to reflect on the Irish society from a comparative perspective. The module gives students a good grounding in inter-cultural communications and will also prepare students for further studies in Asian history, politics, policy research and business.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

➢ Grasp key aspects of contemporary Japanese society and culture;
➢ Develop a good understanding of how Japanese society works, and similarities and differences between Ireland and Japan.
➢ Provide a critical review of current issues in a particular area, using example(s) from Japan
➢ Demonstrate a good understanding of what intercultural communication skills and competency means

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24
Specified Learning Activities

65
Autonomous Student Learning

10
Total

99
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The module is delivered through a seminar format where students are encouraged to actively engage with the various speakers dealing with different aspects of Japan. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Assignment: Poster Presentation Week 12 n/a Graded No

70
Journal: Reflective Journal Throughout the Trimester n/a Graded No

30

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback will be provided on reflective journal submission one, to allow this to be considered before the second submission.

Name Role
Professor Mary Gallagher Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Ms Nobuko Ijichi Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Naonori Kodate Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
 
Spring
      
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Mon 14:00 - 15:50