Program Description

 This interdisciplinary study abroad program in Tokyo and Okinawa explores the complex and evolving web of narratives surrounding Japanese national identity and social memory. Although Japan is often described as an ethnically homogeneous country, its national identity was formed through centuries of migration, political consolidation and, in some cases, forced assimilation. These legacies were further complicated by the experience of World War II, which led to a further questioning of Japanese identity and new forms of trauma that exacerbated existing inequalities. Traces of this history are visible both in Tokyo, the center of the Japanese political world, and in Okinawa, a political periphery where residents have borne the burden of hosting US bases to support their country’s national security. This study abroad program explores these dynamics and more from a variety of perspectives, including history, politics, sociology, anthropology, media studies, race, gender, culture, literature and art. In addition to attending lectures by faculty, students will have the opportunity to experience Japan through visits to important historical and cultural sites in Tokyo and Okinawa. Other course components include: readings, writing assignments, current events, reflection, individual check-ins with instructors, group collaboration, and free time for exploration. Students are expected to maintain a research and reflective portfolio and present their final reflections at the end of the program.