Sociology

Course title

S2452000

Sociology

Click to show questionnaire result at 2019

Course description

Society denotes a collectivity formed through interactions among different individuals. It provides an individual with meanings to live, as well as his awareness about his own positions or roles in it. In the modern period and thereafter, in particular, many people have regarded the followings as the major sources of their self-identities that last throughout their own lives: an identity as ‘nation’ in the nation-state; and one as ‘laborer’ engaged in productive activities in a company or an organization. Furthermore, as the latter half of the twentieth century witnessed the affluence of commodities and the diversification of services, many people started to shape yet another identity as ‘consumer’ in the consumer society, seeking after their self-realization.
By contrast, is it the case that they have also formed their identities as ‘citizen’, thereby sharing their knowledges and experiences to discuss and solve issues that concern the society as a whole? Or, rather, isn’t there a possibility that the establishment of such an identity is even hindered now, as the social trend that seeks after ‘liberalization’ and ‘rationalization’ to an excessive degree functions to create cleavages among individuals? There is one more question to be asked: do not people in contemporary society have to go beyond their conventional identities as ‘nation’ to form ones as ‘world citizen’ in an era of globalization, where an increasing number of social issues need concerted efforts of the states involved to find a solution to?
Based on the above questions, this course will analyze and explain the social issues that face Japan and the world from the perspective of sociology.

Purpose of class

The learning of engineering, including architecture, is closely tied up with the society that receives the benefit from its achievement. It follows that engineering and architectural students must have an interest in the dynamics of society. Bearing it in mind, this course aims to enhance students’ interest and understanding in the workings of society, so that they will be able to play an active role in the field of architecture and other social sectors in the future, whether in Japan, or at the global level.

Goals and objectives

	Goals and objectives	Course Outcomes
1.	The goals of this course are to: Comprehend major concepts and theories of sociology and thereby understand the significance of sociology as an academic discipline that analyzes and explains the dynamics of society.	3.
2.	Understand the structure and characteristics of Japanese society through its comparison and connection with areas outside of Japan, thereby gaining self-awareness as a member not only of Japan but also of the world.	3.
3.	Gain sociological perspectives to take account of issues facing Japan and the world in the current era.	3.

Language

Japanese(English accepted)

Class schedule

	Class schedule	HW assignments (Including preparation and review of the class.)	Amount of Time Required
1.	Introduction: What is Sociology?	Read the syllabus of this course carefully.	50分
2.	The Development of Capitalism and the Transformation of Industrial Structure	Check how capitalism has evolved, as well as how industrial structure of a society has been transformed accordingly.	200分
3.	Nation-State and Citizenship	Check the historical process through which the nation-state system expanded worldwide, as well as the ways it conferred citizenship, or the consciousness as an active agent of society-building, to the nations.	200分
4.	An Urbanizing World and Its Problems	Check the degree of population concentration to cities and what kind of problems arise out of it.	200分
5.	Gap-Widening Societies That Take Various Forms	Check what kind of ‘gap-widening societies’ exist in Japan now, as well as what kind of influences they exert upon her	200分
6.	McDonaldization of Society and Work Environment	Check the meaning of ‘McDonaldization of society’.	200分
7.	The Transition of Labor Hours and the Work-Life Balance	Check the working time of people in contemporary society, as well as whether time in work and leisure is well balanced.	200分
8.	Gender and Work	Consider how the types of job requested to men and women are different, as well as what kind of problems arise out of it.	200分
9.	Mass Media and the Formation of Public Opinion	Consider if the mass media today provide precise information to us, as well as what constitute major hindrances to it.	200分
10.	Art and Culture in the Hyper-Consumer Society	Figure out those entertainment products which has popularity now from such genres as music, film and soap opera, and consider if they are really artistic or not.	200分
11.	Ubiquitous Network Society and the Management of Information	Check the meaning of ‘ubiquitous network society’ and consider how it affects your everyday life.	200分
12.	Globalization and Foreign Residents in Japan	Check the current situations of the foreign residents in Japan, increasing in number year by year.	200分
13.	The Global Risk Society and Cosmopolitanism	Figure out the kind of global issues that require concerted efforts of nations around the world to find solutions to.	200分
14.	Review and Final Exam	Review the content of the classes in the past and prepare for the final exam.	200分
Total.	-	-	2650分

Relationship between 'Goals and Objectives' and 'Course Outcomes'

	Problem-Solving Sheet (Twice)	Midterm Exam	Final Exam	Total.
1.	7%	12%	15%	34%
2.	6%	11%	15%	32%
3.	7%	12%	15%	34%
Total.	20%	35%	45%	-

Evaluation method and criteria

Your overall grade in the class will be decided based on the following:

- Problem-Solving Sheet (reports submitted twice during the course) 20%
- Midterm Exam (implemented in the 8th week class) 35%
- Final Exam (implemented in the 15th week class) 45%

A score of 60 or higher will result in a passing grade. The score of 60 means that the overall performances of students concerned in their reports and exams are fair in view of the achievement goals.

To pass, students are required to attend at least two-thirds of the classes.

Textbooks and reference materials

[Textbook]
There is no specific textbook for this course. Resume and related material for each session will be distributed during the class.

[Reference Materials]
The followings are some of the reference books for the course. Other reference books will be introduced as per the request of students.

Hasegawa, Kouichi et al., eds. 2007, Shakaigaku (Sociology: Modernity, Self and Reflexivity), Tokyo: Yuuhikaku.
Igarashi, Yasumasa and Naoya, Nakasuji, eds., 2013, Yoku Wakaru Toshi Shakaigaku (A Comprehensive Guide to Urban Sociology), Kyoto: Minerva Shobou.
Kanbayashi, Chieko, ed., 2012, Yoku Wakaru Sangyou Shakaigaku (A Comprehensive Guide to Industrial Sociology), Kyoto: Minerva Shobou;.
Machimura, Takashi and Akihiko Nishizawa, eds., 2000, Toshi no Shakaigaku: Shakai ga Katachi wo Arawasu Toki (Urban Sociology: When a Society Takes Shape), Tokyo: Yuuhikaku.
Satoh, Atsushi and Hiroki Sato, eds., 2012, Shigoto no Shakaigaku: Henbou Suru Hatarakikata Kaiteiban (Sociology of Work: Transformation of Working Style, New Edition), Tokyo: Yuuhikaku.

Prerequisites

・All the classes will be conducted via zoom. The URL will be informed to the registered students separately via Scomb. Any changes regarding the course outline that take place due to the introduction of online teaching will be notified after the term will start.
・Topics discussed in this course are closely connected with the events taking place in contemporary society. Pay attention to what is going on with it by reading and watching the news in newspaper and on television.
・Students’ active involvement with the course will be encouraged. They will be requested to engage with the topics introduced in the classes and develop their own ideas about them through both the preparation and review of each class, so that they can come to terms with contemporary society that is becoming more and more complicated.
・Chatting in class will be prohibited.
・Up to 76 students are allowed to enroll in this course in a single term.
・The course handout for each lecture will be distributed via Scomb. Don't forget to print it out before class. Note that this procedure will be put into practice from the first week.

Office hours and How to contact professors for questions