Seminar on Global Japanese Culture and Media I（旧：Seminar on Diversity in Japanese Culture）（由尾 瞳）

In this zemi, students will explore various aspects of Japanese culture in areas of study such as literature, film, art, society, media, and popular culture. The zemi seeks to complicate the view of Japanese culture and tradition as exclusively unique and uniform, and instead aims to uncover the complexity of Japanese culture and its connections with other cultures and traditions. Furthermore, students will learn to challenge the myth of Japan as a monolingual and homogeneous country, and discover instead a heterogeneous and culturally diverse Japan, consisting of a wide range of multilingual, multicultural, and multiethnic communities.

野澤玲奈さん（2019年度　論系進級）によるゼミ紹介

はじめまして！JCulP4年 「Diversity in Japanese Culture」ゼミの野澤です。由尾先生にこのような機会をいただいたので、存分に大好きなゼミについて語ろうと思います。4年間あるJCulP生活の中でも2年次までは、毎日同期やJCulPの先生に会っていると思いますが、3年次以降は全体で会う時間もほとんど無くなります。その中で、ゼミは大学の集大成です。誰とどんなテーマで締めくくりたいかを慎重に検討していただきたいと個人的に思っています。
　「Diversity in Japanese Culture」ゼミは、その名の通り、多様性に溢れています。卒論テーマも、文学、映画、教育、マーケティング、SNS、歌舞伎など多岐に渡ります。先生の底知れぬあたたかさの中で、ゼミ生が自ら自由に興味関心を深めています。ゼミは、自分のテーマを 共有し、話し合いの中で、 一見異なるテーマ同士の中でジェンダーやアイデンティティ、ナショナリズム、歴史など共通する概念を見出し、深堀します。また、由尾ゼミの醍醐味は先生の招くゲスト講義です。ゼミ生のテーマの最前線で研究をされている方を授業に招き、新たな視点を加えてくれます。 　最後にゼミの個性についてお話しします。由尾ゼミの学生は「真面目な自由人」ばかりです。自らの世界観の中で、お互いを尊重し、それを学業に活かせる人が多いと思います。各年、学生の雰囲気は変化するとは思いますが、自主性を保ちつつ、人として向き合ってくれる、母親のようなあたたかさの先生の元で、ゼミ生はのびのびと育てると思います。最後まで自分の興味関心と向き合いたい方とゼミでお会いできることを楽しみにしております。

JeongHoon Leeさん（2019年度　論系進級）によるゼミ紹介

In Professor Yoshio’s zemi, Seminar on Diversity in Japanese Culture, we challenge the myth of Japan as a homogeneous country by analyzing multiple aspects of Japanese culture and society under the umbrella terms of diversity. With the key themes of diversity, gender, globalization, and multiculturalism, the zemi mainly focuses on class discussions on particular topics and readings, and also sharing and offering helpful feedback to other members about our research progress. Class discussions and interaction with other members is the foundation of the zemi. We are very open and considerate about sharing our personal experiences and opinions and listening to others, so it is a stimulating learning environment where we can learn from each other.
　Our research topics are also diverse, and range from literature, theater, media, family culture, linguistics, and education. My own research is on representations of Zainichi Koreans in contemporary Japanese film. Through the connections of Professor Yoshio, we also have great opportunities to meet students and scholars from other universities, who provide us with helpful pieces of advice on our research, as well as their insights on specific current issues related to diversity and Japanese culture. Some of the issues we discuss are very difficult and complex, but they are vital issues that are relevant to today and that do not have simple answers or solutions.
　University is a place where there is space to openly discuss important issues such as diversity and gender, and about our own identities to change society for the better. I believe that there is none other like this zemi environment where we can freely discuss and share our opinions; a space that I feel comfortable in learning and sharing ideas. I hope to cherish this opportunity and connections with my classmates even after I graduate Waseda.