Syllabus

Japanese IV: Cultural Anthropology

Code
GJP39W
Points
15 Credits
Level
First Cycle
School
School of Language, Literatures and Learning
Subject field
Japanese (JAA)
This course can be included in the following main field(s) of study
Japanese1
Progression indicator within (each) main field of study
1G2F
Approved
Approved, 20 December 2023.
This syllabus is valid from 20 December 2023.
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Learning Outcomes

On completion of the course, students shall be able to:

  • display basic knowledge about various research methods used in anthropology
  • apply various anthropological methods in studies relating to Japan using Japanese (in such forms as the observation, the survey and the interview)
  • formulate a functioning research question and design a feasible research project to answer it
  • discuss the ethical implications of anthropological research
  • analyse quantitative data with computer-based tools
  • critically evaluate their own research and that of their peers.

Course Content

Anthropology is the study of humankind, and its subfields (e.g., social/cultural anthropology, linguistic anthropology, physical anthropology, and archaeology) cover various aspects of what make us human. In this course, students get acquainted with various methods and theories used in this field, and get the opportunity to reflect over how these can be applied to the study of Japanese culture and society.
The seminar topics include the relationship between theory and method, defining researchable questions, research ethics, participant observation, sensory ethnography, writing fieldnotes, interview techniques (unstructured, semi-structured, structured), transcription, sampling, designing questionnaires, coding data, data analysis, research proposal evaluation criteria, peer review processes, interpersonal relations with fieldwork interlocutors, and other methodological topics such as oral histories, life histories, censuses, focus group interviews, and archival research.

Assessment

  • Active participation in seminars
  • Written assignments
  • Research proposal
  • Oral presentation of the research proposal

Grades

The grading scale used for the final course grade is A–F.

The final grade for the course is based on an overall assessment by the examiner.

Grades are reported as follows:

  • Seminars and assignments - 10 Credits | A–F
  • Research proposal - 5 Credits | A–F

Prerequisites

  • Japanese III: Language Proficiency, 15 credits, Japanese III: The Modern Short Story, 7.5 credits and Japanese III: Reading Manga, 7.5 credits

Other Information

The languages of tuition are English and Japanese.

This course overlaps the previous course code JP2014.

This course cannot be counted towards the same degree along with courses that have equivalent content.

If the student has received a decision/recommendation granting study support from Dalarna University because of a disability, then the examiner has the right to offer an alternative examination arrangement. The examiner takes into account the objectives in the course syllabus when deciding whether the examination can be adapted in accordance with the decision/recommendation.