This course introduces the language and culture of Japan through a thematic approach. Selected topics include geography, climate, population, and industry. This course is designed to develop advanced Japanese language competency and to introduce various aspects of related Japanese culture using technology and web-based materials. Taught in Japanese.
My Experience:
After returning from Japan and having a localized experience on the northern side of Kyushu, this class allowed me to take a deeper dive into the different regions of Japan while understanding the geographic features that define Japan. Before taking this class, I did not realize that geography plays a hidden but important role in Japanese culture and history. This class gave me a chance to test my Japanese skills after returning from Japan via application to a new subject. I consider this class to be the first time that I studied a subject in Japanese for the entire length of the class. Every class I taken in Japanese on before was focused on learning the language, but this class focused very little on grammar. This gave me another chance to develop my own version of Japanese and insert my own personality into my writing and speaking. I think this class also improved my Japanese improvisation skills, as we often engaged in impromptu presentations, discussions, and writing exercises. What personally interested me the most was exploring the cultural and geographical differences throughout the different regions of Japan. I was able to reflect on my experiences in Kyushu and attempt to distinguish what aspects of life were shaped by the region I lived in and stipulate how my experiences might've been different if I had studied in central, western, or northern Japan.
Assignments in this class consisted of online exercises, oral presentations and discussions.
Assignments in this class consisted of online exercises, oral presentations and discussions.