Asian Studies: Contemporary Japanese Society

Japan is a country of contrasts: high-tech robots alongside shrinking rural towns, global pop culture icons alongside centuries-old traditions. In this course, you will explore the key issues shaping Japanese society today.

We focus on Japan after the Cold War, with special attention to the years following the 2011 earthquake, tsunami and nuclear accident. You will study challenges such as an ageing population, low birth rates and gender inequality, and see how these are linked to questions of immigration, family and technology. The course also examines Japan’s domestic political leadership and its role on the world stage, particularly in East Asia.

Throughout the course, you will move beyond the stereotypes to ask deeper questions. How is Japan changing? How do history and politics shape daily life? And what can Japan’s experiences tell us about the future of other societies?

By the end, you will have a clear understanding of the main issues in present-day Japan and stronger skills in critical thinking, discussion and academic writing. 

Course syllabus

The syllabus contains the formal and legal details of the entire course. It’s a legal document outlining the course structure and requirements, intended mainly for administrative use.

Course literature

The course literature listed may be updated up to eight weeks before the course begins.

The course is fully online. You will study through recorded lectures, readings, podcasts and documentaries. You will also take part in three online seminars using discussion boards. These are a chance to share ideas and learn from others.

You will be assessed through two written assignments. First, a seminar paper of 1,000 words. Then, a final take-home paper of 2,000 words. These tasks help you show what you have learned and explore topics that interest you.

You can also join online office hours with the course director to ask questions and get support. To succeed, you will need to keep up with the reading and take part in the discussions.

Prerequisites

General entry requirements and at least 30 higher education credits. Oral and written proficiency in English equivalent to English 6/B from Swedish upper secondary school is a requirement. International qualifications will be assessed in accordance with national guidelines. A general exemption from the requirement of proficiency in Swedish is applied.

Selection criteria

Seats are allocated according to the following: The general average (GPA) of your higher secondary school leaving certificate: 34 %, The Swedish national university aptitude test: 34 %, number of previous ECTS at the application deadline (up to 165): 32 %.

Tuition fees for non-EU/EEA citizens

Citizens of countries outside:

• The European Union (EU)
• The European Economic Area (EEA) and
• Switzerland

are required to pay tuition fees. You pay an instalment of the tuition fee in advance of each
semester.

Tuition fees, payments and exemptions

Full programme/course tuition fee: SEK 15,625
First payment: SEK 15,625

Convert currency – xe.com

Note that you may also need to pay an application fee, or provide proof of exemption.

Application fee

No tuition fees for citizens of the EU, EEA and Switzerland

There are no tuition fees for citizens of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland.