To the outside eye, Japan can appear to be a land of paradoxes: a place of deeply ingrained tradition with hyper-modern technology; a society renowned for its hospitality and politeness that spent much of its history cut off from the outside world. In this six-part series, Japanese sociologist Momo Kano Podolsky will take us on a lively journey through her ancestral land, introducing us to the traditions and folkways of one of the world’s most fascinating countries. As she offers clues to the way things work in Japan, and brings in special guests to shed light on its food, art and cultural rituals, she’ll guide us towards a deeper understanding of what makes the country so unique.
This course is led by Dr. Momo Kano Podolsky, who holds a PhD in sociology from the University of Toronto. Momo has served as an Associate Professor of Sociology at Kyoto Women’s University and is currently a Program Administrator at U of T’s Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy. She gives lectures on Japan at Glendon College and many other institutions and programs.