DSCY10080 Gateways to Japan

Academic Year 2022/2023

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.