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<p>Greetings Amanda Kennell,<br />
New items have been posted in H-Japan.</p> </div>
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<h1>Table of Contents</h1>
<ol><li><a href="#84643">Re: Closing of Humanities and Social Science Departments in Japanese Universities [discussion]</a></li>
<li><a href="#84764">H-Japan: Seminar/Lecture in Japan Professors Laura Hein and Judith Snodgrass [discussion]</a></li>
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<h2><a href="https://networks.h-net.org/node/20904/discussions/84643/re-closing-humanities-and-social-science-departments-japanese">Re: Closing of Humanities and Social Science Departments in Japanese Universities</a> [discussion]</h2>
<div class="node-author">by <a href="https://networks.h-net.org/users/kirk-masden" title="View user profile." class="username" xml:lang="" about="/users/kirk-masden" typeof="sioc:UserAccount" property="foaf:name" datatype="">Kirk Masden</a></div>
<div class="node-body"><p>I agree with the basic premise of this post and petition -- all of the reports I have seen in Japanese indicate that the humanities are indeed under threat. However, it is not quite correct to say that there has been a "ministerial decree ordering the closure of social science and humanities faculties at the national universities" that the ministry might repeal. Before writing this little note, I reread an article on the issue that was published in the September 22 edition of the Asahi Shimbun. The article indicates (and this description agrees with quotes from the so-called "decree" that I have seen in other reports) that the language was much more oblique and subject to interpretation than a direct command to do away with faculties in the humanities. The ministry is backpedaling, saying that they meant that changes should be considered in departments that are not able to maintain enrollments, etc. I'm not trying to defend the Ministry of Education. As I wrote above, I agree that the humanities are under threat. I'm just concerned that the misleading language of the petition may lead to its dismissal on the grounds that the premise is mistaken. A more carefully worded petition might be more effective.</p>
<p>Kirk Masden<br />
Kumamoto Gakuen University</p>
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<ul style="padding-left: 0; margin-left: 0;"><li style="list-style: none; margin-right: 2em; display: inline-block;"><a href="https://networks.h-net.org/node/20904/discussions/84643/re-closing-humanities-and-social-science-departments-japanese">Read more or reply</a></li>
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<h2><a href="https://networks.h-net.org/node/20904/discussions/84764/h-japan-seminarlecture-japan-professors-laura-hein-and-judith">H-Japan: Seminar/Lecture in Japan Professors Laura Hein and Judith Snodgrass </a> [discussion]</h2>
<div class="node-author">by <a href="https://networks.h-net.org/users/yone-sugita-0" title="View user profile." class="username" xml:lang="" about="/users/yone-sugita-0" typeof="sioc:UserAccount" property="foaf:name" datatype="">Yone Sugita</a></div>
<div class="node-body"><p>Subject: Seminar/Lecture in Japan Professors Laura Hein and Judith Snodgrass </p><p> </p><p>It is our honor to have both Professors Judith Snodgrass (Western Sydney University) and Laura Hein (Northwestern University) at Osaka University as specially-appointed professors in October 2015. Their research themes are: Networks of transnational Buddhism and the Young East (Professor Snodgrass) and (1) Post-Fascist Political Culture: The Kamakura Akademia and Education and (2) From Colliery to Fukushima: 60 Years of Tomiyama Taeko's Art (Professor Hein).</p><p>Professor Judith Snodgrass, Western Sydney University (Specially-appointed professor, Osaka University)</p><p><a href="http://www.uws.edu.au/staff_profiles/uws_profiles/associate_professor_judith_snodgrass" rel="nofollow">http://www.uws.edu.au/staff_profiles/uws_profiles/associate_professor_judith_snodgrass</a></p><p>and</p><p>Professor Laura Hein, Northwestern University (Specially-appointed professor, Osaka University)</p><p><a href="http://www.history.northwestern.edu/people/hein.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.history.northwestern.edu/people/hein.html</a></p><p> </p><p>If you are willing to invite them for lecture or seminar, please let me know. We will cover the necessary expense (within Japan).</p><p> </p><p>We also plan to hold a seminar at Osaka University on 17 and/or 24 October.</p><p>17 October (Saturday) and/or 24 October (Saturday): Professional Seminar (for scholars)</p><p>Professor Judith Snodgrass: Networks of transnational Buddhism and the Young East</p><p>Professor Laura Hein: From Colliery to Fukushima: 60 Years of Tomiyama Taeko's Art </p><p>We are looking for discussants.</p><p> </p><p>If you are interested, please let me know.</p><p>Yone Sugita <a href="mailto:sugita@lang.osaka-u.ac.jp" rel="nofollow">sugita@lang.osaka-u.ac.jp</a></p></div>
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<ul style="padding-left: 0; margin-left: 0;"><li style="list-style: none; margin-right: 2em; display: inline-block;"><a href="https://networks.h-net.org/node/20904/discussions/84764/h-japan-seminarlecture-japan-professors-laura-hein-and-judith">Read more or reply</a></li>
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