Course Overview
As the drive to rebuild modern Japan after WWII slowed, latent and new social problems have become visible. This course offers interdisciplinary perspectives on issues such as care of the elderly and homeless, equal treatment of minorities, gender and labor issues, domestic and world ecological concerns, and relevant institutions that promote or attack prejudice towards heterogeneous social groups. Taught in English. (3 Units)
Course Narrative
While initially disinterested in the subject matter (as I was with most culture courses since I wanted to focus on the Japanese language more), I grew to take interest in and even sympathize with some of the societal issues modern Japan faces. What stood out to me in particular was the NEET (Not in Employment, Education, or Training) demographic, as I once found myself in an equivalent situation at some point in my life. This prompted me to base my final paper/presentation on the topic, as I felt strongly about my emergence from such a phase in my life.