COURSE SYLLABUS

JAPN 120 – JAPANESE CIVILIZATION

 

 

CATALOG DESCRIPTION:
Course deals with the interaction between language, culture, religion, customs, and other aspects of the Japanese civilization. Emphasis on civilization from ancient through modern times. Highly recommended for students taking courses in Japanese language, Asian history, eastern humanities and international business. Films and slides are used. No prerequisites, taught in English. 3 units.

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This introductory class introduces students to fundamental elements of the culture and civilization of Japan from its origins to the present. Through readings, lectures, Internet explorations, and online and in-class discussions and presentations, students can expect to leave with a solid grasp of important geographic information, historical periods, cultural heritage, and literary works from its origins to the present. This course also offers cross-cultural learning opportunities. It is hoped that you will make contributions to the class by sharing what you know with your classmates through presentations and classroom discussion.  Students are expected to complete the reading assignments prior to class and actively participate in class discussions and submit written assignments on due dates.  The class is an elective for the minor in Japanese, and open to non-majors and is taught in English. 3 units.

 

OBJECTIVES:

- To provide students with a solid knowledge of geographical settings (major prefectures and cities, climates and seasons, topography, size and population, transportation), history (major historical periods and their major characteristics), cultural heritage (arts, architectures, performing arts, festival, etc.) and literary work from its origins to the present (e.g. mythology, Tale of Genji, Totto-chan).

- To illuminate cultural values, attitudes, behavior patterns, and communication styles in modern Japan having in-depth discussion on key concepts in Japanese culture (e.g. Amae, Aimai, Uchi Soto, Enryo, Senpai/Kouhai, etc.)

- To compare and contrast past and present events from various perspectives through reading, presentations and discussions.

- To promote critical thought through discussion rather memorization.

- To make students more aware of how to accept the norms of another culture while maintaining their own values and identity.

- To make students more aware of various ways to get along with people of different culture.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
Cultural Proficiency

- Students improve their cultural proficiency as defined by The Cultural Competence Continuum: Cultural Destructiveness; Cultural Incapacity; Cultural Blindness; Cultural Pre-Competence; Cultural Competence; Cultural Proficiency (See Week 1 Schedule on WebCT).

- Students show an appreciation of the varying and various definitions of what culture is.

- Students learn to interpret local Sacramento and Northern Californian culture in relation to the Japanese culture.

Cultural Practices, Products and Perspectives

- Students demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the practices and perspectives of the culture studied.

- Students demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the products and perspectives of the culture studied. Products may be tangible (e.g., a painting, a piece of literature, or an everyday item such as a recipe or used car ads) or intangible (an oral tale, a dance, a ritual, a system of education). Whatever the form of the product, its presence within the culture is justified by the underlying beliefs and values (perspectives) of that culture, and the cultural practices involved in the use of that product.

Cultural History and Geography

- Students demonstrate knowledge and understanding of significant components of Japanese culture, such as traditions, institutions, art, history, music, and literary and artistic expressions, among others. Here they address the interrelatedness of languages, literatures, cultures, artifacts, traditions and other products that are expressions of Japanese culture.

- Students show they can identify important geographic division, and historical events and figures, and that they are familiar with Japan’s major literary, musical, and artistic contributions, and Japanese socio-political institutions.

 

TEXTBOOK

Required Books

- Kodansha International. 1999. Japan: Profile of a Nation. (This is a “small” encyclopedia about Japan)
http://www.amazon.com/Japan-Profile-Nation-Kodansha-International/dp/4770018908

- Craig, T. J. (Ed.). (2000). Japan Pop!: Inside the world of Japanese popular culture. Armonk, NY: M. E. Sharpe.
I will use Teaching Guide for this book in http://www.mesharpe.com/pop_guide.htm

- Davies, Roger & Ikeno, Osamu. 2002. The Japanese Mind: Understanding Contemporary Japanese Culture. North Clarendon, VT: Tuttle Publishing.

- Condon, John.  1984.  With Respect to the Japanese: A guide for Americans.  Yarmouth Maine: Intercultural Press. (Reserve)
http://www.amazon.com/Respect-Japanese-Guide-Americans-Interact/dp/0933662491/sr=1-8/qid=1170100797/ref=sr_1_8/104-8974688-9934329?ie=UTF8&s=books

- Sheila K. Johnson, Sheila.  1991.  The Japanese Through American Eyes.  Tokyo: Simul Press. (Reserve)
http://www.amazon.com/Japanese-Through-American-Eyes/dp/0804719594

 

Recommended Books

- Gercik, Patricia.  1996.  On track with the Japanese: A case-by-case approach to building successful relationships.  New York: Kodansha International.
Bookstore does not have this book. Each student needs to purchase it through different bookstores:
http://www.forbesbookclub.com/bookpage.asp?prod_cd=ICRYG
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1588203980
http://www.amazon.com/Track-Japanese-Case-Case-Relationships/dp/1588203980

- Reischauer, Edwin, and Jansen, Marius. 1995. The Japanese today: Change and continuity.  Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Belknap Press of Harvard University Press. (Dr. Reischauer worked hard to bridge Japan and the US in 1960s -1990s)
(Reserve Room)

- Lie, John. 2001. Multiethnic Japan.  Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press. (For those who are interested in multiculturalism in Japan)
(Will be in Reserve Room)

- Nakazawa, Kenji. I  Saw It  (Educational comics on atomic bomb)
(Will be in Reserve Room)

- Feiler, Bruce. 2004. Learning to bow. Inside the Heart of Japan. Perennial. An Imprint of HarperCollins Publishers. (For those who want to teach English in Japan)
http://www.amazon.com/Learning-Bow-Inside-Heart-Japan/dp/0395647266

- Kuroyanagi, Tetsuko. Totto-Chan: The Little Girl at the Window. (Best seller)
http://www.amazon.com/Totto-Chan-Little-Girl-at-Window/dp/4770020678

Supplemental Reading and Video Materials

- Please check WebCT Weekly Schedule.

 

Useful Web page

- Japan’s Official Site                      http: //www.mofa.go.jp
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan Website. Updated information on Japan’s foreign policies.

- Japan Information Network          http://www.jinjapan.org/atlas/
Visual and fact-finding introduction to the nature, traditions, and contemporary life of Japan

- Kids Web Japan                            http://www.jinjapan.org/kidsweb/
You can try virtual games and traditional arts, learn how to speak some Japanese, etc.

- Professor Jim Becker’s site: http://www.uni.edu/becker/japanese222.html
Look at the section of Japanese culture!

- Japan National Tourist Organization, http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/index.html

Pictures of Japan         http://www.photopassjapan.com/

- Pictures of Japan for the Japanese civilization course are provided by and used by permission of the PhotoPassJapan.com project.

 

 

COURSE PROCEDURES

This is a 2 hour and 50 minute class. Each class will be composed of various learning formats: (1) Individual student presentation: News reports & one-minute speech; (2) Group presentation; (3) Discussion on assignment; (4) Lecture; (5) Video viewing; (6) Listening to songs; (7) Hands-on activities; and (8) Reflection. 

 

WEBCT

I will be using a course management system called WebCT to post my lecture notes and handouts, offer you online exercises, and make important announcements. Students must have a SacLink account and have computer access to the web. This is a three credit hour class, and you should count on doing 6-9 hours of work per week. You have to guide yourself with your time management to get work done on time. It's easy to put things off for another day; the lack of face-to-face contact with the professor means that you have to push yourself. You have to study often on your own, since it is not easy to coordinate your schedule with those of fellow students. Make sure you regularly check WebCT to keep up with changes. This is your responsibility. Use email to ask the professor questions if you are unsure of what is required. Don't wait! Plan your time to make sure that you are ahead of assignment deadlines. Do not to wait until the last minute. Things can go wrong! Use WebCT’s email to keep in contact with the professor.

 

LOG ONTO WEBCT

1. Go to http://online.csus.edu
2. Login: User ID (Your SacLink account number)
               Password (Your SacLink password)
3. Once you have logged on, you will find Japanese Civilization on a page called My WebCT. Click on Japanese Civilization.
4. Student Resource Page is http://www.csus.edu/webct/student/
   
   

 

COURSE REQUERMENTS AND GRADING

 

1. Attendance, Participation, and Presentation     150 points     

Students are expected to attend all lectures and participate actively in the discussion. 15 weeks x 10 points = 150 points

   10 points      Participate actively in class

   8 point          Present for the whole class period

   5 point          Late and/or leave early (present for more than 2 hours of the class period)

   0 point          Absent or no participation (e.g. sleeping in the class)
Note: If you miss 3 classes, you will receive one lower grade. If you miss 5 classes, you will not pass this course.

 

2. Individual Presentations – 3 times x 50 points = 150 points

1st Individual Presentation - Current News (Sign up!)

In order to look into current issues in Japan, you are asked to read Japanese newspapers online during the semester. Pick an article, summarize it, and create 1 multiple-choice question regarding the article. Then you will post it on WebCT Discussion “Japanese News” and present it to the class briefly (1-2 minutes). Indicate your topic in the SUBJECT section.

The followings are useful webpage that has online newspaper links
Onlinenewspaper.com             http://www.onlinenewspapers.com/japan.htm
Japan Times                            http://www.japantimes.co.jp/
Keiko Schneider's Bookmarks http://www.sabotenweb.com/bookmarks/newspapers.html  

Presentation Guideline

1. Read current news in reliable sources (reputable online newspapers such as Japan Times, Asahi, Mainichi, Yomiuri, NHK, etc.). I recommend that you will read the same event using two different sources.

2. Present in class
Your presentation will be graded based on the following criteria:

a. Voice Projection (Make sure that everyone can hear you!)
b. Content is clear and organized: When, Who, Where, What, How, & Why.
c. Stay within time limit (1-2 minutes)
d. The class agreed that "Current News" means "News within one month".

3. Presentation Scrip => Upload WebCT - Current News in Discussion

2nd Individual Presentation - Show and Tell (Sign up!)

Introduce something about Japanese to your classmate. 1-2 minutes. Examples are: Japanese traditional toy, movie, song, customs, etc.). After presentation, upload your presentation script (or summary) to WebCT Discussion “Show and Tell” section. Indicate your topic in the SUBJECT section.

3rd Individual Presentation - Story Telling: April 30 (Week 14)
Everyone will present on this day

Pretend you are a Japanese (e.g., a thirty-five year old single office lady, a middle-aged company employee, a single mother, a Korean-Japanese in Japan, a teenager who failed in a university entrance examination, etc.) and tell your story from his/her perspective.  You can use stories from readings, but you need to incorporate some originality in your story.  You may interview Japanese and write his/her story as if it were yours.  Or you can make up your own story.  However, you have to write a realistic story. 1-2 minutes. Upload your presentation script to WebCT Discussion “Story Telling.” Indicate your name in the Subject section.

 

3. Group presentation 3 times x 100 pts = 300 pts

You will give a presentation in a group of 4-5 people on the following topics.  It is required that each group will make a handout at the time of the presentation.  Grading rubric will be created in class.

(1) Geographic information of the assigned region: Feb. 12 (Week 3)
Presentation on 9 regions in Japan: 北海道 Hokkaido, 東北 Tohoku, 関東 Kanto, 中部 Chubu, 関西 Kansai, 中国 Chugoku, 四国 Shikoku, 九州 Kyushu, & 沖縄 Okinawa

a. Go to Japan National Tourist Organization, http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/index.html

b. Locate the assigned region and list prefectures and major cities in the region

c. Describe climate of the region (e.g. temperature, seasons, etc.)

d. Describe major natural characteristics (e.g. mountain, highlands, rivers, World Natural Heritage, etc.)

e. List major festival(s) and sightseeing spots in the region

f. Present an overview of the regions and create 5 questions on the region

 

(2) Historical and cultural elements in the assigned region: March 5 (Week 6)
Temples, shrines, traditional garden, painting, etc. Details will be announced later via WebCT.

 

(3) Artifacts (regional food, drink, pottery, specialty items, etc.): April 2 (Week 10)
Date and details will be announced later via WebCT.

 

4. Online Reading Comprehension Check  15 times x 10 pts = 150 pts

Each week you will have reading assignments. Complete the weekly reading assignments before class. After reading, make sure to take Online Reading Comprehension Check (10-20 questions on reading). Online Reading Comprehension Check is usually due one day before the next class. That is, the first Online Reading Compression check on the reading list of Week 2 (2/5) is due on Sunday, 2/11 at 11:59 pm.

 

 

5. TEST 2 times x 150 pts = 300 pts

(1) Fact-based Test (In class) on March 19

(2) Analytical Test (Take Home) Question will be given to April 9. Due: April 23

Date and details will be announced later via WebCT

 

6. Research Paper 300 pts & its presentation 100 pts = 400 pts

You will be required to write a term paper of approximately 10 pages in length on any Japan-related topic. Instead of a term paper, you can do a project work (e.g. creating a web-page, video, etc.). Topics and formats are negotiable. For those who write a research paper, the paper must be double-spaced and typed. Paper can be either in English or Japanese. You will be asked to present your paper or project in class (5-7 minutes) on May 14 or May 21. This is an equivalent to the Final exam.

 

A:        1450 – 1350 points

A-        1349 – 1300 points

B+       1299 – 1250 points

B         1249 – 1200 points

B-        1199 -  1150 points

C+       1149 – 1100 points

C         1099 – 1050 points

C-        1049 – 1000 points

D+       999 – 950 points

D         949 – 900 points

D-        899 – 850 points

F          849 points

 

 

EXPECTATIONS and ETHICS

 

• Do work in a timely manner – make a plan and stick to it

In order to successfully achieve the above goals the professor requires your full cooperation. Regular class attendance, active class participation, timely completion of reading and writing assignments, and keeping up with online assignments are key ingredients to success. It is very easy to get off task when doing online work. There is nobody watching over your shoulder and you can easily put it off until another day. Procrastination will put you behind and harm your grade.

• Classroom Behavior

CSUS expects our students and faculty to conduct themselves with honesty and integrity. Therefore, each student is expected to uphold high ethical standards inside and outside the classroom. The classroom should be an environment for learning. Therefore, behavior that is disruptive, that belittles another or which discourages others from achieving their academic goals has no place in this classroom.

 

 

• Academic Misconduct

When you turn in an assignment and take credit for it, it must be your own work. If it is not, you have committed academic misconduct. Plagiarism is representing the work of someone else as your own. Most commonly this occurs by copying from a textbook or other source and failing to give proper credit to the author. You can avoid this problem by always using quotation marks whenever you use someone else's exact words and by always giving references whenever you quote from or paraphrase another author. Cheating; if you give or receive unauthorized aid while completing any of the requirements for this course, you have cheated. Giving answers during an exam, writing a paper for another student or copying another student's work are all forms of cheating. Assistance from the writing lab, talking with a professor or fellow student or forming a study group before an exam are all acceptable forms of aid. Please read “Academic Honesty Policy and Procedures” http://www.csus.edu/admbus/umanual/UMA00150.htm

• Penalties

The penalties for violation of this ethics policy will range, at the discretion of the instructor, from having to redo assignments, to failing the course, to an appearance before the Dean.

• Work Turned in Late

All work turned in late will be penalized unless you have a proper document to prove your absence.

• Use of Student Work in Class

The instructor will on occasion use excerpts from student work as examples for class discussion. For example, a student answer from a midterm exam might be distributed to help others learn from the strengths and weaknesses of that answer. If you object to your work being used in this way, please inform the instructor.

• Syllabus changes

The instructor reserves the right to alter this syllabus at any time should it be warranted by the demands of sound pedagogy. Changes to the syllabus will be announced in class. In any event, the posted, e-text versions of the syllabus and schedule of classes in WebCT are authoritative, taking precedence over any printed version.

 

* Add/Drop policy

The Add/Drop policy will be followed as detailed in the CSUS 2006-07 Class Schedule. Drops during the last three weeks of class will not be accepted for any reason (Students with an emergency during this time period can request to be assigned a grade of “I” in the course and must make up the missed assignments/exams within 12 months or the “I” will automatically become and “F.”)

 

* Students with Disabilities

If you have a disability and require accommodations, you need to provide disability documentation to the Office of Services to Students with Disabilities (SSWD), Lassen Hall 1008, (916) 278-6955.  Website: www.csus.edu/sswd. Please discuss your accommodation needs with me after class or during my office hours early in the semester.