Japanese Culture
Description:
This course addresses the images of Japanese society and culture through subjects such as the Nihonjinron, invented traditions as well as popular images of "being Japanese." Taught in English
Units: 2
Course Reflective Narrative:
I took this course in Fall 2015 while studying in Japan and it fulfilled the MLO 2 of my major. The course fulfilled this requirement as it covered various aspects of culture, such as identity and ethnic groups within Japan. The topics that we discussed in this course, were different from what I would expect from a “culture” course. For example, we studies the idea of Nihonjinron and how it viewed Japan and it's culture (see Reading Assignment 1). Topics such as these were very interesting to learn about and had not had the opportunity to study before this course. By understanding these topics, I will be able to better understand Japan’s cultural ideal and values and history. The homework was a reading assignment on the topic for the next class and then write a response on our opinions of the article. During the lectures, we were asked to share if our countries had similarities or differences based on the topic for the day. This course had a final written exam and a final paper to assess what we had learn throughout the semester. For my final paper, I discussed the differences in Japan’s non-verbal communications or gestures with those from different countries, especially to mine (see Final Paper).
Work Completed:
~Reading Assignment 1
PDF
~Final Paper
PDF
This course addresses the images of Japanese society and culture through subjects such as the Nihonjinron, invented traditions as well as popular images of "being Japanese." Taught in English
Units: 2
Course Reflective Narrative:
I took this course in Fall 2015 while studying in Japan and it fulfilled the MLO 2 of my major. The course fulfilled this requirement as it covered various aspects of culture, such as identity and ethnic groups within Japan. The topics that we discussed in this course, were different from what I would expect from a “culture” course. For example, we studies the idea of Nihonjinron and how it viewed Japan and it's culture (see Reading Assignment 1). Topics such as these were very interesting to learn about and had not had the opportunity to study before this course. By understanding these topics, I will be able to better understand Japan’s cultural ideal and values and history. The homework was a reading assignment on the topic for the next class and then write a response on our opinions of the article. During the lectures, we were asked to share if our countries had similarities or differences based on the topic for the day. This course had a final written exam and a final paper to assess what we had learn throughout the semester. For my final paper, I discussed the differences in Japan’s non-verbal communications or gestures with those from different countries, especially to mine (see Final Paper).
Work Completed:
~Reading Assignment 1
~Final Paper