Introduction to Japanese Studies I
Course Description:
[Japanese Literature] Throughout the semester, we will focus on modern Japanese literature. The works of numerous writers will be discussed, and five novels will be read and discussed in detail. In the first two or three weeks of the semester, students will get an overview of modern Japanese literature. During this time, the works of a large number of writers will be described. After this overview, we will read and discuss five novels. Finally, in the couple weeks of the semester, we will have comprehensive discussions, and in particular examine (1) the aspects of Japanese culture that one can learn about through its literature, and (2) the degree to which Japanese literature is universal in nature.
[Japanese Culture] Introduction to Modern Japanese Culture with Emphasis on Social Life and Culture. The students will understand Japanese culture to some extent and be able to function in Japanese society.
Course Narrative:
This class was taught in English at Chuo University. It was one of the few classes offered that was four units, versus every other class of two units. The major difference was having to meet twice a week versus once. I took this class to fulfill my culture requirement (MLO2). I feel I was able to complete it with the two separate sections of the course. On Thursdays, the professor would discuss about literature pieces written by Japanese authors which had be translated to English. We read five books throughout the semester and we were able to discuss our thoughts on them with our classmates. One of my favorite books that I got introduced to in my class is called The Cat in the Coffin (by Mariko Koike). In the books we discussed, we were able to notice a certain theme and compare these Japanese authors to authors we are used to reading. In this class, we even had a final essay discussing what we thought the authors were trying to depict to their audience. (Final Literature Essay)
On the other hand, our Japanese culture class on Fridays were taught in slightly different manner. Each week, there was a new topic to discuss with our other exchange student classmates. If we had any questions about something of the Japanese culture we were free to ask each other. Some of the prominent discussions I remember having was the difference of eating and drinking in Japan versus our own cultures. Not only did I find out the izakaya culture (all you can eat and drink) for Japan, but I also found out the differences for other countries as well. From France to Denmark to Singapore, they did not have the exact same concept, but presented their own topics. At the end of the class, we presented a topic we felt very intrigued about the Japanese culture, and to write an essay explaining our thoughts and feeling about that topic. (Final PowerPoint and Final Paper) My topic was about Vocaloids, as I very interested that computer synthesize programming can possibly take over real singers and artists one day.
[Japanese Literature] Throughout the semester, we will focus on modern Japanese literature. The works of numerous writers will be discussed, and five novels will be read and discussed in detail. In the first two or three weeks of the semester, students will get an overview of modern Japanese literature. During this time, the works of a large number of writers will be described. After this overview, we will read and discuss five novels. Finally, in the couple weeks of the semester, we will have comprehensive discussions, and in particular examine (1) the aspects of Japanese culture that one can learn about through its literature, and (2) the degree to which Japanese literature is universal in nature.
[Japanese Culture] Introduction to Modern Japanese Culture with Emphasis on Social Life and Culture. The students will understand Japanese culture to some extent and be able to function in Japanese society.
Course Narrative:
This class was taught in English at Chuo University. It was one of the few classes offered that was four units, versus every other class of two units. The major difference was having to meet twice a week versus once. I took this class to fulfill my culture requirement (MLO2). I feel I was able to complete it with the two separate sections of the course. On Thursdays, the professor would discuss about literature pieces written by Japanese authors which had be translated to English. We read five books throughout the semester and we were able to discuss our thoughts on them with our classmates. One of my favorite books that I got introduced to in my class is called The Cat in the Coffin (by Mariko Koike). In the books we discussed, we were able to notice a certain theme and compare these Japanese authors to authors we are used to reading. In this class, we even had a final essay discussing what we thought the authors were trying to depict to their audience. (Final Literature Essay)
On the other hand, our Japanese culture class on Fridays were taught in slightly different manner. Each week, there was a new topic to discuss with our other exchange student classmates. If we had any questions about something of the Japanese culture we were free to ask each other. Some of the prominent discussions I remember having was the difference of eating and drinking in Japan versus our own cultures. Not only did I find out the izakaya culture (all you can eat and drink) for Japan, but I also found out the differences for other countries as well. From France to Denmark to Singapore, they did not have the exact same concept, but presented their own topics. At the end of the class, we presented a topic we felt very intrigued about the Japanese culture, and to write an essay explaining our thoughts and feeling about that topic. (Final PowerPoint and Final Paper) My topic was about Vocaloids, as I very interested that computer synthesize programming can possibly take over real singers and artists one day.
japanese_literature_final_essay.pdf | |
File Size: | 129 kb |
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Vocaloids_PowerPoint_.pdf | |
File Size: | 628 kb |
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Vocaloid_essay_(final).pdf | |
File Size: | 112 kb |
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