FUKUOKA PREFECTURAL UNIVERSITY

Shinsuke NAKAMURA (associate professor)

BA in Social Anthropology (Seinan Gakuin University, Fukuoka, 1993);
MA in Sociology (Kyushu University, Fukuoka, 1995).

Shinsuke Nakamura initially majored in social anthropology in order to pursue his interest in applying structural analysis to Japanese rituals and festivals. Switching to sociology, he gained considerable experience in fieldwork and social research. In 1998, FPU established a new Research Center for Lifelong Learning and Welfare and Assistant Professor Nakamura was appointed to this center as a full-time researcher.

Courses

Gender and Generation Studies (sei-sedai ron): This course focuses on generation-gaps, gender-bias, and sexism. In addition to these topics, the course also attempts to instill the 'Logic of Sociology', a prerequisite to studying the subject. This principle is based on the work of Pierre Bourdieu and his books "Le Sens Pratique"(1980) and "La Distinction" (1979).

Social Research Programme (shakai-chousa jisshu): This programme aims to familiarise undergraduate researchers with key social research methods and the skills required to analyze quantitative and qualitative data. The programme is designed to ensure that students attain the level of competence established by the Japanese Certification Board for Social Researchers.

Seminar for freshmen (kyou-yo enshu): This seminar is a practical and basic guide for freshmen. It introduces students to the fundamentals of conducting research, making presentations, writing reports and other aspects of academic enquiry.

Seminar for sophomores (shakaigaku-kiso enshu): This seminar course presents a practical guide for sophomores studying sociology. It offers advanced training on how to carry out sociological research, make presentations, write sociological reports, etc. By virtue of this seminar, students also attain a higher degree of sociological insight.

Seminar for graduation thesis preparation (shakaigaku-kenkyu hou): In order to successfully complete a graduation thesis, students require training on how to identify valid sociological issues, acquire and analyze data, and express themselves academically.

Academic Interests

The Culture and Moral Consciousness of Youth;

Gender Studies;

Theories of Publicity (especially Pierre Bourdieu's Sociological Theory);

The Ontology of Festivals and Rituals in Urban Society.

Other Information

The FPU Life-long Welfare Research Center has provided a base for many research projects and study groups. The center's achievements have been acknowledged by Fukuoka Prefecture and the Japan National Institute for Academic Degrees.

Since 2002, Shinsuke Nakamura has been a member of the editorial board for the Journal of the Sociological Society of West Japan.

In addition to his academic work, he is also interested in marine life and has kept an aquarium since he was 15 years old. He offers advice on this subject on a related web forum and also has a great interest in British culture, including traditional games, malt whisky, and British mystery novels.