JK17006 Research 1~3-Seminar (SEG)(Lecture)

Numbering Code U-LET36 3JK17 LE36 Year/Term 2022 ・ Second semester
Number of Credits 2 Course Type special lecture
Target Year Target Student
Language English Day/Period Wed.2
Instructor name KAWAI JUNKO (Institute for Liberal Arts and Sciences Professor)
Outline and Purpose of the Course This course will examine various approaches and topics in the study of Japanese education, culture and society through reading sociological works on Japan. Education is a complex subject partly because everyone, having been educated, has a personal view about what education should be and should not be. However, generalizing from one's own experience can be dangerous. This is one of the reasons why sociological perspectives become important in the field of education.

Students will also learn the nature, purposes and methods of social science research in the field of education and each students will experience a small-scale research project to explore practical aspects of what students have learnt in class. Students will have opportunities to take a close look at what is happening and what has happened in Japanese education.
Course Goals ・To understand sociological perspectives in education and the importance of social science research in education
・To gain knowledge of various research methods and to experience one of them
・To develop interests to participate in cooperative projects with members from various cultural background.
・To enable students to sharpen their skills in critical analysis through structured reading, discussion, written assignments and small scale research project.
Schedule and Contents 1. Sociological perspectives on education (Week 1)
What do we know about education of our own? Do we really know about it?

2. The nature and purposes of social research in the field of education (Week 2-3)

3. Investigation on Japanese education (Week 4-7)
3-1: Condition of language education in Japan - Why do reforms return again and again?
3-2: Transition from schools to work - Introduction of various approaches- Functionalist approach, Conflict theorist approach, and Micro-interactionism 3-3: Futoko (Truancy, Non-attendance) - Discourse analysis of educational problems
3-4: Life of adolescences - Roles of Japanese school clubs, functions and culture of cram schools, teacherstudent relationship, relationship between schools and families.

4. Research Planning: What are your research questions? (Week 8)

5. Lecture: Introduction to Research Methods (Week 9-12)
5-1: Modes of Inquiry- Quantitative Modes of Inquiry and Qualitative Modes of Inquiry
5-2: Sampling Techniques
5-3: Data Collection Techniques (1) Questionnaire (2) Observation (3) Interview
5-4: Interpretations of Data

6. Ethical issue in social research (Week 13)

7. Presentation on your project (Week 14)

Feedback
Evaluation Methods and Policy Participation to the group project and class activities (30%), short reports(30%), and Final report(40%). 授業への参加(30%)、課題レポート(30%)、期末レポート(40%)で評価する。

To JDTS/MATS students: This is course can be taken as either reduced (4 ECTS) or full seminar (8 ECTS). Please indicate your ECTS requirement to the teacher.

Grading for JDTS/MATS full seminar students.
The grading policy for JDTS/MATS full seminar students are same as above. Details are as follows.
・Short reports 1 and 2 (30%)
・Report 3 (40%)
・Class Participation (30%)

Grading for JDTS/MATS reduced seminar students
・Short reports 1 and 2 (40%)
・Final presentation handout (20%)
・Class Participation (40%)

Class participation includes i) Presentations (one short introductory presentation (5min.) of your topic and a final presentation), ii)Introducing assigned readings,and iii)Participation in discussions and activities in regular classes.
Course Requirements None
Study outside of Class (preparation and review) ・Students are required to read through assigned readings and prepared for the discussions in each week. ・Students are expected to actively participate in preparations for the small-scale group project.
Textbooks Textbooks/References プリント配布
Handouts will be distributed.
References, etc. Intense Years: How Japanese Adolescents Balance School, Family, and Friends, Fukuzawa, Rebecca E. and LeTendre, Gerald. , (Taylor and Francis,2001)
Teaching and Learning in Japan, Rohlen, Thomas and LeTendre, Gerald (eds.) , (Cambridge University Press, 1998)
Research in Education; A Conceptual Introduction, 5th edition, McMillan, James H. and Schumacher, Sally, (Addison Wesley Longman, Inc., 2001)
Leaning from Strangers: The Art and Method of Qualitative Interview Studies, Weiss, Robert S., (The Free Press, 1994)
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