Does the written word have a future? Some contemporary trends seem to suggest otherwise: the replacement of the novel first by movies and then video games as leading cultural form; the shift from text to audio and video in messenger apps and on social media platforms; a (related?) loss of concentration and focus; and sinking rates of functional literacy in many developed countries. And just a year after large language models such as ChatGPT arrived on the scene, artificial intelligence is already doing a lot of writing and reading for us. In this seminar we will take these trends not necessarily at face value, but as a starting point to explore the relationship between reading/writing, media and society from interdisciplinary and comparative perspectives. I invited colleagues in literature and psychology, book history and the history of computing to co-teach this seminar together with me. Together we will look at long-term trends related to various textual media, the evolution of technologies from the printing press to social media platforms, and the social contexts of reading and literacy in order to think about past, present, and future trajectories of textuality. <<Learning Goals>> After successfully completing this seminar, participants will be able to - identify and compare different conceptions of text, reading, writing and literacy - understand textuality as a complex social and cultural practice - analyze how textual practices are influenced by social and technological contexts - consider a range of interdisciplinary perspectives from social media studies, anthropology, history and science and technology studies on textuality - apply critical approaches on the relationship between text, media, and society to their own research as well as to reflections on future scenarios

This course aims at providing foundation of public international law that is related to protection of individuals and at enabling students to discuss international law solutions to contemporary world issues. In particular, it covers international human rights law, international humanitarian law, refugee law and protection of civilians in the context of peace operations. It is designed for students who are not familiar with international law, but depending on the level of the students, its content can be modified. この授業は、個人のプロテクションに関わる国際法の基礎を習得し、コンテンポラリーな国際問題に国際法の解決法を討議できる能力を体得することを目的とする。特に国際人権法、国際人道法、難民法と平和活動における文民の保護について扱う。国際法の基礎がなくても参加できるように授業を構成しているが、履修する学生の層によってコンテンツを多少変更する可能性がある。

This course aims at providing foundation of public international law that is related to protection of individuals and at enabling students to discuss international law solutions to contemporary world issues. In particular, it covers international human rights law, international humanitarian law, refugee law and protection of civilians in the context of peace operations. It is designed for students who are not familiar with international law, but depending on the level of the students, its content can be modified. この授業は、個人のプロテクションに関わる国際法の基礎を習得し、コンテンポラリーな国際問題に国際法の解決法を討議できる能力を体得することを目的とする。特に国際人権法、国際人道法、難民法と平和活動における文民の保護について扱う。国際法の基礎がなくても参加できるように授業を構成しているが、履修する学生の層によってコンテンツを多少変更する可能性がある。

This course introduces qualitative research methods and provides hands on opportunities to experience research practice, focusing on five major qualitative research approaches (narrative approach, phenomenology, grounded theory, ethnography, case study). It involves thorough discussions of qualitative research methodology including its nature, design, data collection procedures, and conceptualization. The course further familiarizes students with and guides them through the process of conducting their own pilot study related to each student s discipline and interests. At the end of this course, students will be able to: 1. define what qualitative research and data are 2. design effective qualitative research in relation to their research questions 3. collect and organize qualitative data under ethical consent practices 4. analyze qualitative data and ensure its validity 5. report their conceptualization of qualitative data as research findings

This course introduces qualitative research methods and provides hands on opportunities to experience research practice, focusing on five major qualitative research approaches (narrative approach, phenomenology, grounded theory, ethnography, case study). It involves thorough discussions of qualitative research methodology including its nature, design, data collection procedures, and conceptualization. The course further familiarizes students with and guides them through the process of conducting their own pilot study related to each student s discipline and interests. At the end of this course, students will be able to: 1. define what qualitative research and data are 2. design effective qualitative research in relation to their research questions 3. collect and organize qualitative data under ethical consent practices 4. analyze qualitative data and ensure its validity 5. report their conceptualization of qualitative data as research findings

This seminar aims to discuss the social / historical bases on which a modern legal system might operate in various East Asian societies, and to provide an introduction to some of those problems involving the integration of different legal traditions into a pluralistic yet coherent legal regime. We will focus on the tensions experienced by these societies, involving the importation of what were presented as "universal" values and norms, and the near-universal resistance to these values and norms, such resistance being based on the notions of custom and tradition. While the initial focus will be mainly on the experiences concerning the formation of legal institutions in China and Japan, students will be encouraged to bring in perspectives from other societies as well. The problems discussed will include: the difficulties regarding what exactly can be identified as East Asian legal traditions; how legal regimes were structured through the actions of actors exploiting the plurality of legal traditions; and how the relationship between legal arrangements and the political power-structure played out. Particular attention will also be paid to the issues of colonialism, and the uneasy relationship between Modernisation, Westernisation and Colonisation in these societies. The ability to read source materials written in Chinese and/or Japanese would be of much help, but will not be essential.

This course explores the persistent challenge of gender-based data disparities and their far-reaching consequences for society. Across various domains, from health and education to economic participation and political representation, the lack of gender-disaggregated data hinders our ability to understand and address the unique needs and experiences of women, girls, and gender-diverse individuals. Throughout the course, students will engage in discussions, readings, and a hands-on project that involves analyzing publicly available gender-segregated data. This will allow them to develop a deep understanding of the gender data gap and its implications, as well as practical skills in data analysis, visualization, and policy advocacy. This class will be taught in English and students will be expected to speak in English and complete assignments in English.

This course explores the persistent challenge of gender-based data disparities and their far-reaching consequences for society. Across various domains, from health and education to economic participation and political representation, the lack of gender-disaggregated data hinders our ability to understand and address the unique needs and experiences of women, girls, and gender-diverse individuals. Throughout the course, students will engage in discussions, readings, and a hands-on project that involves analyzing publicly available gender-segregated data. This will allow them to develop a deep understanding of the gender data gap and its implications, as well as practical skills in data analysis, visualization, and policy advocacy. This class will be taught in English and students will be expected to speak in English and complete assignments in English.

This graduate-level seminar provides a comprehensive exploration of contemporary media and communication studies, emphasizing the intricate relationship between theory and practice in our rapidly evolving digital landscape. The course navigates key paradigms in media and cultural studies, from classic frameworks to cutting-edge concepts, equipping students with a robust theoretical foundation while encouraging critical engagement with real-world media phenomena. Through in-depth readings, lively discussions, and applied analysis, students will develop the critical thinking skills necessary to interrogate complex media texts, platforms, and practices using a range of theoretical approaches. By bridging the gap between abstract ideas and concrete media practices, the course prepares students to understand the historical development and current state of media and communication studies, apply theoretical frameworks to emerging technologies, and develop original research questions that contribute to the field. This seminar serves as a foundation for fostering the ability to engage in informed discussions about the role of media in shaping society, culture, and individual experiences. Students will emerge from the course well-equipped to analyze and interpret the complex media ecosystems that characterize our contemporary world, laying the groundwork for advanced research and analysis in the field.

Does the written word have a future? Some contemporary trends seem to suggest otherwise: the replacement of the novel first by movies and then video games as leading cultural form; the shift from text to audio and video in messenger apps and on social media platforms; a (related?) loss of concentration and focus; and sinking rates of functional literacy in many developed countries. And just a year after large language models such as ChatGPT arrived on the scene, artificial intelligence is already doing a lot of writing and reading for us. In this seminar we will take these trends not necessarily at face value, but as a starting point to explore the relationship between reading/writing, media and society from interdisciplinary and comparative perspectives. I invited colleagues in literature and psychology, book history and the history of computing to co-teach this seminar together with me. Together we will look at long-term trends related to various textual media, the evolution of technologies from the printing press to social media platforms, and the social contexts of reading and literacy in order to think about past, present, and future trajectories of textuality. <<Learning Goals>> After successfully completing this seminar, participants will be able to - identify and compare different conceptions of text, reading, writing and literacy - understand textuality as a complex social and cultural practice - analyze how textual practices are influenced by social and technological contexts - consider a range of interdisciplinary perspectives from social media studies, anthropology, history and science and technology studies on textuality - apply critical approaches on the relationship between text, media, and society to their own research as well as to reflections on future scenarios