Call for Chapters
Theorizing Homogenizing Discourse: Japan, a Case Study
Anthology Editors:
Satoshi Toyosaki, Ph.D.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Shinsuke Eguchi, Ph.D.
University of New Mexico
Japan is heterogeneous and culturally diverse. However, Japan has socially, culturally, politically, and intellectually constructed and, some cases, insisted its distinct and homogeneous identity. Recently, such a national identity construction has been rightfully questioned and challenged by Japan’s culturally diverse groups and research activities. The primary focus of this anthology lies at the mysterious and discursive system that regenerates the illusion of Japan as a homogenous nation. We look for chapters that, first, investigate the discursive push-and-pull between the homogenizing and heterogenizing discourses at various cultural fronts, particularly from the critical intercultural communication perspective, and that, second, examine and critique those homogenizing discourses. We hope that this anthology helps theorize the complex push-and-pull of homogenizing and heterogenizing discourses focusing on their co-constitutive and responsive relations, instead of situating them simply as the oppositional.
Topics/research sites/areas of interest include, but are not limited to, gender/sex, LGBTQQ, Japanese regions, Gaijin identity, multiracial/national Japanese, Zainichi-identities, media, sport fandom, tourism, foreign labor, and anti-/pro-Japan rhetoric. Research sites (data sources) can be both Japan-domestic and international. We are working toward making a persuasive proposal for this anthology. In so doing, we seek exciting chapter contributors, innovative research projects, and theoretically rigorous chapters. For more details, please don’t hesitate to contact us at the aforementioned email addresses. Please send us your 200-word abstract that identifies your research goal(s), data/artifacts, and methodological approach(es) by March 15th, 2015. Your abstract needs to be saved in MS word format and sent to both Satoshi Toyosaki and Shinsuke Eguchi. The anticipated timeline for a complete manuscript is July 31, 2015.
Center for Intercultural Dialogue 