UWA Handbook 2025

Unit Overview

Description

This unit moves beyond popular stereotypes and essentialist understanding of Japan to provide students with a critical understanding of the sociocultural processes underpinning the emergence of that nation as a major global industrial power in the second half of the twentieth century, as well as an appreciation of the dynamics of contemporary twenty-first-century Japanese society. In particular, the unit complements the Japanese language units on offer by reinforcing students' appreciation of the sociocultural context within which the language operates. Using a multidisciplinary approach and with reference to both academic and popular culture texts and resources, the unit draws attention to the complex interplay between discourses, institutions and practices of work, family, culture, nation/citizenship and gender and sexuality in the day-to-day dynamics of Japanese society. These issues are examined both with reference to domestic Japanese society and in relation to the broader Asia–Pacific context.

The first half of the unit provides a framework for understanding Japan's sociocultural and economic transformations of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, both with reference to domestic society and in relation to the wider Asia–Pacific region. The second half of the unit focuses on specific 'case studies' and discussion topics including: (1) Japan in relation to research debates on sociocultural change; (2) changing discourses of identity and nation; (3) popular culture and urban consumer culture; (4) shifting discourses of gender and sexuality; and (5) changing attitudes to work and corporate culture.

Credit

6 points

Offering
(see Timetable)

Availability	Location	Mode
Semester 2	UWA (Perth)	Face to face

Details for undergraduate courses

• Level 3 core unit in the JPNSB Japanese Studies; JPNSP Japanese Studies; JPNSI Japanese Studies major sequences
• Level 3 option in the Asian Studies; Gender Studies major sequences
• Level 3 elective

Outcomes

Students are able to (1) apply knowledge and analytical skills of Japanese society acquired through this unit to their Japanese language study; (2) understand the theoretical concepts necessary for Japan and Asia-related units in the Humanities and Social Sciences; (3) apply this critical understanding to their own societies, thereby demonstrating 'ethical sensitivity towards our diverse and globalised world'; (4) use academic and popular culture texts and resources to augment and reinforce their understanding of the sociocultural dynamics of Japan; (5) devise their own research topic in areas related to the unit; (6) independently research that topic by collecting, reading and critically analysing data and information; (7) draw on research skills and express themselves clearly and persuasively in writing, using an appropriate theoretical framework; and (8) express their ideas and appraise the ideas of others orally through active discussion in tutorials.

Assessment

Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) tutorial paper; (2) research project/essay; and (3) tutorial discussion leading and contribution. Further information is available in the unit outline.

Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.

Unit Coordinator(s)

Dr Laura Dales

Unit rules

Prerequisites

Successful completion of

any one level 2 Unit(s) from the School of Social Sciences
or Humanities

Incompatibility

ASIA2218 Japan: Social and Cultural Tensions.
ASIA2214 Japan in Changing Asia.
ASIA2217 Shifting Identities in Japan

Contact hours

lectures: 20 hours
tutorials: 9 hours