Research Seminar I

Research Seminar I

専門教育科目／ー

This is a required thesis research class.

国際商経学部

2年

KCCBG2MCA3

2.00単位

演習 (Seminar)

2025年度後期

(Spring semester)

田中 キャサリン マリー

 This course is the first in a series of classes designed to train students in research and thesis writing. It does so around the topics of the intersections of culture, social justice and human rights in business contexts. The syllabus will be adapted to reflect students' research interests and thesis projects. Through this research seminar, students will understand key social justice movements as well as human rights concepts and frameworks (e.g., Universal Declaration of Human Rights, UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights). In addition, students will learn to analyze the role of businesses in upholding or violating human rights, in part through discussions of real-world cases critically, considering different stakeholder perspectives. Throughout all of this, students will also develop language skills related to ethical debates, presentations, research skills and academic English writing.

英語

Students are encouraged to do research in multiple languages.

目標16／目標17

By appointment in B308. Please email kathryn.tanaka@em.u-hyogo.ac.jp

 kathryn.tanaka@em.u-hyogo.ac.jp

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This course aims to develop students' understanding of key concepts related to social justice, human rights, business ethics, and cultural studies. Students will critically analyze global issues from diverse perspectives, enhance their practical English communication skills, and engage in discussions, debates, and project-based activities to deepen their awareness of contemporary social challenges.

human rights, social justice, business, cultural studies 

Week 1. Course and self introduction. What are social justice and human rights, and how do they relate to culture and business practices? What are our values and the things that shape us?

Week 2. Historical contexts of human rights and social movements

Week 3. Systems of power, privilege, and discrimination

Week 4. From Darwin and Kropotkin to Capitalism and Mutual Aid as Economic Systems and World Views

Week 5. Labor issues and global supply chains: sweatshops, slavery and fair trade

Week 6: Business ethics in the digital age: data privacy, surveillance capitalism, AI ethics

Week 7: Social justice and representation: Identity, Advertising, Media Analysis

Week 8:  Globalization and Cultural Imperialism: Local cultures in an age of multinational corporations

Week 9: Midterm project/fieldwork

Week 10: DEI (LGBTQIA+)

Week 11: Business in conflict: arms industry issues

Week 12: Social justice movements and their impact on business

Week 13-14: Reading and discussing Slow Down: The Degrowth Manifesto by Kohei Saito (translated by Brian Bergstrom) 

Slow Down: The Degrowth Manifesto by Kohei Saito (translated by Brian Bergstrom)

斎藤幸平『人新世の「資本論」』

List will be provided by the instructor 

Students will be expected to spend at least two hours outside of class reviewing materials, doing research, and preparing their own work. 

Classes are heavily student centered and discussion based. 

Attendance and contributions to class discussion, class reflections 30%
Homework 20%
Midterm project 20%
Final project 25%

Materials will be available in the Seikyo or provided by the instructor. 

Case study analysis, PBL