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2019　Introduction to Sociology of Multiculturalism

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Academic unit or major
Breadth courses
Instructor(s)
Kitamura Aya 
Class Format
Lecture     
Media-enhanced courses
Day/Period(Room No.)
Fri5-6(I6-404)  
Group
-
Course number
LAW.X114
Credits
2
Academic year
2019
Offered quarter
1-2Q
Syllabus updated
2019/4/2
Lecture notes updated
-
Language used
English
Access Index

Course description and aims

What happens when people from different backgrounds encounter one another? How do they negotiate their differences, and what types of conflicts do they face? This course explores multiculturalism in everyday contexts while introducing basic theories of sociology. Taking race, ethnicity, language, gender and sexuality as the main foci, and examining specific aspects of everyday lives such as work, education and house management, students will deepen their understanding of issues in multicultural communities across the world. Some of the specific questions to be discussed in class are: What ethnic and linguistic diversities are emerging in Japan? How does race/ethnicity matter in multiethnic Singapore and London? How are race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality and class intertwined in personal relationships in Tokyo and Hong-kong? Through readings, discussions and individual research on such sociopolitical dynamics, students will gain a multidimensional perspective.

Student learning outcomes

Students will acquire theoretical knowledge of sociology that will help them discern a deeper layer of their everyday experiences. They will also explore specific issues concerning multicultural communities and learn ways to analyze them critically.

Keywords

Multiculturalism, multilingualism, race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, language, social interaction, discrimination, disparity, stigma, marginalization, identity politics

Competencies that will be developed

Specialist skills ✔ Intercultural skills ✔ Communication skills ✔ Critical thinking skills Practical and/or problem-solving skills

Class flow

Followed by an introductory lecture session, the first half of this course will be devoted to reading and discussion. Prior to each class, students are expected to read an assigned text and prepare comments. One or two students will present the article’s summary and lead class discussion along with the instructor. In the second half of the course, students will pursue their own research interests and analyze specific multicultural situations as fieldwork based on the theories and findings introduced in the course. The final outcome of each student's fieldwork will be presented for a peer evaluation in the final week.

Course schedule/Required learning

  Course schedule Required learning
Class 1 Introduction: Issues in multicultural communities None
Class 2 Race and ethnicity in multicultural societies Reading assignment: Selvaraj Velayutham, “Everyday Racism in Singapore.”
Class 3 Language in multicultural societies Reading assignment: Tessa Carroll, “Multilingual or Easy Japanese?: Promoting Citizenship via Local Government Web Sites.”
Class 4 Gender and sexuality in multicultural societies Reading assignment: Rhacel Salazar Parrenas, “Cultures of Flirtation: Sex and the Moral Boundaries of Filipina Migrant Hostesses in Tokyo”
Class 5 Multicultural education Reading assignment: Robert Moorehead, “Remedial Language Education and Citizenship: Examining the JSL Classroom as an Ethnic Project.”
Class 6 Multicultural street markets Reading assignment: Sophie Watson, “Brief Encounters of an Unpredictable Kind: Everyday Multiculturalism in Two London Street Markets.”
Class 7 Multicultural households Prepare a presentation on your final project. Reading assignment: Nicole Constable, “Filipina Workers in Hong Kong Homes: Household Rules and Relations”
Class 8 Discussion on everyday multiculturalism None
Class 9 Methods and ethics of fieldwork None
Class 10 Brainstorming for individual project None
Class 11 Data analysis None
Class 12 Interim Report (1) None
Class 13 Interim Report (２) None
Class 14 Interim Report (３) None
Class 15 Final presentation None

Textbook(s)

Handouts will be distributed.

Reference books, course materials, etc.

Amanda Wise and Selvaraj Velayutham eds., 2009, Everyday Multiculturalism, Palgrave. Nanette Gottlieb ed., 2012, Language and Citizenship in Japan, Routledge.

Assessment criteria and methods

Participation and contribution in/to classes: 40%
Presentations: 25%
Final paper: 35%
(weights are subject to change.)

Related courses

  • TSE.C201 ： Introduction to Transdisciplinary Science and Engineering

Prerequisites (i.e., required knowledge, skills, courses, etc.)

None

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