This course focuses on thinking about "desirable future society" from the perspective of children. First of all, we study how children in Japan and in the world live by data, research and cases. Secondly, we study understand economical gap and problems should be solved through social policies. Thirdly, we compare the current situation with what the world looked like around ten years ago when students were children. Finally, we will think about what you can do for future children in ten years later. The aim of this course is acquire knowledge of social justice. And then participants will be able to deliver their original message for building future society where better place for children.
By the end of this course, students will be able to: 1)understand Children's rights and they are important for our future society. 2) understand the serious reproduction of the gap rich and poor. Parents' socio-economic status define children's opportunities. 3) discuss family policies without having bias made from social norm but using research or evidence. 4) write or talk with connecting children's happiness and your own expertise.
✔ Applicable | How instructors' work experience benefits the course |
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The instructor of this course is a journalist with over 20 years experience covering childcare policies both in government and business sectors, writing thousands articles. Based on the experience, I will provide practical knowledge and strategic communication skills to persuade diversified people. |
Children, Cross-national comparison, Policy, Corporation, Gap between rich and poor
Specialist skills | ✔ Intercultural skills | ✔ Communication skills | ✔ Critical thinking skills | Practical and/or problem-solving skills |
At the beginning of each class, the instructor asks students to share their thoughts based on reading materials. Each class has different reading materials such as books, articles or policy reports. Then the instructor talks about the main topics. In each class, the instructor asks students' opinion. Participation of international students are encouraged. The instructor gives talks in Japanese, majority of reading materials are Japanese, but students can speak both in Japanese and English.
Course schedule | Required learning | |
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Class 1 | Remembering what did you feel when you were a child | What did you hope in future when you were a elementary school student? Is it realized? |
Class 2 | Children in the world and in Japan | Understand the definition of absolute poverty and relative poverty. |
Class 3 | How COVID-19 changed children's daily lives? | Interview with children asking how COVID-19 changed their lives. Or read related articles or documents. |
Class 4 | Children's welfare, policy entrepreneurs and the role of media | Understand problems related with children such as poverty or abuse. Then people who work for solving problems. |
Class 5 | Solutions from social and scientific perspective | Watching documentary program in which social norm about childcare is analyzed by scientists. Then discuss. |
Class 6 | What can corporations do for children's future? | Understand the basic concept of ESG and SDGs by reading materials. |
Class 7 | What can do for children's future? | Based on what you learn in the course, make your own action plan . |
To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.
Not required.
Reference books: Kaori Yamadera"No one is watching me"(Popula-sha), Shintaro Yamaguchi"Economics about Happy Families"(Kobunsha-shinsho), etc.
Students are assessed by understanding of the course(knowledge) and the active participation by seeking their original ideas. Assessment will be based on short report written after every classes (70 points in total: 10 points for each), contribution to the class (10 points) and final report (20 points).
None