Instructor: Jane Yamazaki
Course Time: TTH 1:00-2:47 in the HC
General Education: Global Perspective
Term: Winter 2013

DESCRIPTION:
This course will focus on Japanese cities, with an emphasis on the interplay between tradition and contemporary. Starting from a theoretical perspective on the different kinds of Japanese city, we will focus on Tokyo and Kyoto, as representing two very strong yet different traditions and contemporary styles.

This course is intended to be largely a reading, discussion, and writing course (rather than a lecture/exam course). After a general introduction to the geography and history of Kyoto and Tokyo, students will 1) read materials on contemporary issues in urban Japan, 2) provide a written and oral book report on a particular subject and 3) prepare a research-oriented 10-page paper on some aspect of contemporary Japanese cities.

This course is designed to prepare students for an actual study trip to Japan and class periods will be devoted to the practical issues of language, etiquette, how to navigate in the big city and other issues of preparation. We are hoping to provide an opportunity for students to go to Japan for a study tour following the completion of the class.

Required Texts:

• Karan, P. P, & Stapleton, K. (Eds.). (1997). The Japanese city. Lexington, KY: University Press of Kentucky.

• Tobin, J. J (ed.) (1992) Re-made in Japan: Everyday life and consumer taste in a changing society. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press.

• Norbury, Paul (2012) Culture Smart! Japan.

• A up-to-date guidebook of Kyoto and Tokyo (recommended Lonely Planet)

*Also associated with this class is a mini-film series of contemporary films to be shown on Tues at Honors College from 7-9. Students will write response papers to these videos as well as to the readings.
1/15 Lost in translation 2/5 Trainman
1/22 Shall we dansu 2/12 Suspect X
1/29 Family Game 2/26 Akira