EDUCATION FOR MINORITIES IN JAPAN

概要

While Japan is often depicted as a homogeneous country, it is increasingly becoming diverse in terms of ethnicity, language, religion, class, among other dimensions of identity. There is a rapid increase in the number of immigrant children and youth who migrate to and grow up in Japan. They often struggle from cultural, linguistic, and academic adjustment in a new land but are also finding ways to live in-between multiple cultures, nations, traditions, and languages. Through readings, discussions, personal reflections, and group projects, this course attempts to explore the social, political, and economic contexts that impact the lives of immigrant children and youth in Japan and abroad and examine their heterogeneous and multiple identities and experiences. We will also examine when, how, and if education policies and practices accommodate, assimilate, and celebrate cultural and linguistic diversity of immigrant students. The course also takes a comparative approach to deepen the understanding of the lives of immigrant youth in various parts of the world.

目標

Students will learn key concepts, theories, and issues on immigrant education and will explore the contexts and experiences of immigrants children and youth in Japan and abroad. Students are encouraged to actively interact with classmates from diverse backgrounds and discuss topics through cross-cultural and comparative lenses. This course also allows students to unpack and deepen their own identities and experiences and connect their personal stories to the overall theme of the class.

授業外の学習

Students are expected to complete assigned readings every week and prepare to discuss with classmates. Students will make a presentation in small groups and lead a discussion in class, which requires significant amount of time for preparation.

所要時間: At least 190 minutes per class for outside work