Gender Studies

Gender Studies

General Courses

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School of Economics and Management

All

IA9991GCA1

2.00Credits

講義 (Lecture)

Spring semester 2026

(Spring semester)

Kathryn Tanaka

School of Economics and Management

English

5／10／16

By appointment
B301

kathryn.tanaka@em.u-hyogo.ac.jp

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1-2◎／2-1◎／2-2◎

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This course introduces important concepts in gender studies and an overview of the gender studies with a focus on Japanese and global contexts. It introduces the history of feminism in Japan and explore continuing examples of feminist activism in Japan today. We will address issues ranging from reproduction, labor, sexuality, violence, constitutional rights. and health. We will be aware of women's movements as historical and international. We will make active connections between women's movements and the movements for other human rights and activism around the world, situating gender studies within a broader field of global citizenship education.

Japan, gender

1: Course Introduction: Why Gender Studies and why is it important in Japan today?
2. Gender and Culture: Why is it important?
3. Quick History: Debates in Japanese Feminism
4: Queer Theory and contemporary intersectionality
5:Healthy Sex and Relationships
6. Contemporary Gender Issues: TheWorld Gender Gap Rankings
7. Home, Family, and the Private Sphere
8: Work and the "public sphere"
8: Politics and the "public sphere," gender and rising populist movements
9: Education and Gender Gaps
10. Gender Representation in Media
11: Gendered Experiences Around the World in Japanese media  
12. Gender and Violence
13. Texts and contexts; Japanese gay men's experiences of gender
14: Texts and contexts: Gender and Empowerment vs. Gender and Hate Speech
15: Final presentation of bilingual booklet and wrap-up

Students are expected to create a bilingual informational report newsletter for their final exam. 

In-person

• In-person classes only
• Not subject to the cap on distance-education credits

Completely forbidden

In this course, the use of generative AI is strictly prohibited. Any use during class is forbidden, and if a violation is discovered, credits may not be granted or may be revoked.
Regardless of whether generative AI is used or not, students must pay attention to the contents described in “Guidelines on the Use of Generative AI in Education at the University of Hyogo (For Students)”

Materials will be provided by the instructor

Jennifer Coates, Lucy Fraser, and Mark Pendleton, eds. The Routledge Companion to Gender and Japanese Culture. Routledge: 2020.

Students will be expected to complete at least two hours of review and preparation outside of class each week. 

Students will learn to think critically about media, gender, stereotypes, and bias in daily life. 

10% Weekly online responses
60% Class contributions in discussions and in class activities
10% Weekly name tag
20% final examination

Unexcused absence from more than five classes or failure to submit the final project will result in an automatic failure.

Students will be provided feedback to their responses in Unipa as possible.
Homework will also be used as discussion starters in class. If a student would prefer their questions NOT be used as a discussion in the class, please write "Please do not use this class" in Unipa when you submit your assignment. 

Please come prepared to dicuss the readings and participate in class. Please make sure you have access to a computer to complete your HW assignments. 

Students will think more critically about gender and Japanese society. 

This class contains frank discussions of gender stereotypes, sexual behavior, bodies, and gender-based violence. If you have concerns with these areas please speak to the instructor in advance.