Development of awareness toward cultural differences and potential communication problems through exploration of current socio-economic and corporate-cultural issues in Japan. Part of the Japanese intensive summer language program. Admission by application only.
Course Objectives:
- To understand the intricate relationship between language and society/culture
- To explore issues related to sustainability in Japan
- To develop an open-minded attitude towards cultural differences
- To experience everyday Japanese life with a host family (after course activity)
- To experience traditional Japanese culture such as tea ceremony and zazen (Zen style meditation) etc. and become more aware of the roles traditions play in contemporary Japanese society
- To learn basic data collection techniques to conduct research using Japanese language
- To improve presentation and writing skills in Japanese
ML PERFORMANCE GOAL #1: PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION
ML Learning Outcome 1 : Demonstrate oral and aural proficiency in the target language
JAPN 3693: Students will participate in informal discussion on select topics with Japanese students in Japanese. In addition, students who choose to conduct their survey by interviewing will demonstrate oral and aural proficiency by interviewing local people in Japanese for their survey.
ML Learning Outcome 2: Demonstrate effective presentation skills in the target language
JAPN 3693: Students will demonstrate their skills by making a 15-minute presentation on the survey result in Japanese.
ML Learning Outcome 3: Demonstrate writing proficiency in the target language
JAPN 3693: Students will demonstrate their proficiency by writing short reflection essays on the topic related to sustainability in Japan, using expository writing style in Japanese. Students who choose to conduct their survey using questionnaires will demonstrate writing proficiency by creating a survey form in Japanese.
ML Learning Outcome 4:
Demonstrate proficiency in comprehension of authentic written texts in the target Language
JAPN 3693: Students will demonstrate their proficiency in comprehension of authentic written texts in Japanese by doing reading assignments for class meetings. Students will demonstrate reading proficiency by compiling data from the responses to the questionnaires or interviews.
ML PERFORMANCE GOAL #2: INTERCULTURAL SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE
ML Learning Outcome 5: Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of a specific target-language country or region
JAPN 3693: Students will demonstrate their knowledge of an aspect of Japanese culture by compiling data from their observation and experience in Japan and writing short essays in Japanese. In addition, they will investigate a specific area of sustainability in Japan and present their findings to their classmates.
ML Learning Outcome 6:
Demonstrate the ability to analyze an issue from target-culture perspective(s)
JAPN 3693: Students will demonstrate their ability to analyze the issue from Japanese perspective during class discussions and in their reflection essays.
ML Learning Outcome 7:
Demonstrate critical reflection on cultural complexity and context
JAPN 3693: Students will demonstrate their reflection on cultural complexity and context by taking into consideration various factors which influence Japanese behavior under discussion.
Required Materials:
All the materials to be distributed by instructors via Canvas or in person during the class. No textbooks or other materials required for purchase.
Components
Content
Requirements
Percentage in
final grade
(*subject to change)
Group Presentation
(including the preparation HW)
Research and presentation on the active plan to address the particular issues related to sustainability
Interview or questionnaire research and presentation in Japanese
25%*
Vocabulary test
Short vocabulary tests
Read kanji and understand the important words used in class.
10%
Reflection Homework
Reaction papers in response to activities and lectures, including analyses of Japanese culture and sustainability based on observations, personal experiences and external resources (i.e. readings)
The analyses should describe what influenced your perspective of Japanese culture, your final conclusion, and clear support (e.g., examples) to explain your reasoning. The paper should be around 400 characters and written in だ・である-style.
20%
Reading Homework
Complete Japanese readings on various sustainability-related topics in Japan.
Complete accompanying comprehension questions and be prepared to discuss readings in class.
20%
Mini group Presentation and Discussion Moderator
Each group will present the actual practice/solution/issue found in Japan for one of the SDGs goals of their choice and prepare discussion questions for the class discussion. The group will facilitate/moderate the discussion as well
Conduct extensive research to obtain general knowledge, current practices and issue pertaining to the SDGs goal of your choice. Construct the presentation to explain them to the class. Plan and moderate the class discussion over your presentation topic.
10%*
Attendance
Course Work Performance
Discussion with classmates and/or APU students about Japanese and American cultures
Attending every class session and actively participating in classroom activities by using Japanese only
15%
In JAPN3693 you are expected to
Attend every class meeting and actively participate in all class activities (group-work, leading discussions, etc.).
Active participation includes:
-
- Actively talking with classmates about the topics related to the lesson
- Answer questions, volunteering to share your experiences or thoughts summarizing what you read or talked about with classmates
- Other types of active expressions to indicate engagement with the course.
Attendance Grading Rubric:
- 100% credit – full attendance and participation with high degree of preparedness
- 75% credit – Tardy/Early exit and/or low participation and degree of preparedness
- 0% credit – Tardy/Early exit (more than 30 minutes) and/or poor participation and degree of preparedness
Assignments Submission Due Dates:
- Complete all homework assignments and submit them in class on time.
- Most assignments do not have late submission and make-up availability due to the length of the program.
- Refer to the Canvas assignment submission pages for the specific due dates and late submission availability.
- You must show that you put significant effort into homework assignments in order to receive a high grade.
- No late homework will be accepted, and no make-up test will be given for absences without prior notification. If you are in a situation that you cannot attend class, please consult the instructor.n-Class Performance Evaluation:
If you engage in activities which indicate your inattention or non-participation in our classroom activities,
your attendance score will be adversely affected.
The behaviors which can reduce your attendance grade including but not limited to:
- Coming to class late
- Falling asleep
- Chatting with your classmate(s) (both physically and digitally)
- Text-messaging with your friend(s)
- Working on your homework
- Reading anything on your device(s)
- Checking email or viewing Web sites
Students are expected to maintain the highest standards of academic integrity. All work submitted must be original and properly cited. Plagiarism, cheating, or any form of academic dishonesty will result in immediate consequences as outlined in the university's academic integrity policy.
Though this course takes place off campus, you remain under the Georgia Tech Academic Honor Code.
- Cheating on any assignments including tests and exams will not be tolerated at all and the Dean’s Office will be notified of the offender(s)
- The submission of material that is wholly or substantially identical to work created by another person or persons, without adequate credit notations constitutes an act of plagiarism and will not be tolerated
- The assignments created/generated by AI program(s) of any sorts will also be considered as the act of plagiarism, and those students who engage in this type of behavior will face the similar consequences as described above
- Copying any part of your classmate’s homework assignment or letting others copy yours will be also regarded as a violation of the honor code
- The use of AI generated program （i.e. Chat GPT), Google translate or other translation applications on Internet are also not permitted to complete any assignments for this course. You must limit your usage of online dictionaries for only looking up the words or phrases.
- If you are not familiar with the Georgia Tech Academic Honor Code, you should go to http://www.catalog.gatech.edu/rules/18b.phpLinks to an external site. and familiarize yourself with it prior to participating in this course.
This is a Core IMPACTS course that is part of the Humanities area.
Core IMPACTS refers to the core curriculum, which provides students with essential knowledge in foundational academic areas. This course will help students master course content, and support students’ broad academic and career goals.
This course should direct students toward a broad Orienting Question:
- How do I interpret human experience through creative, linguistic, and philosophical works?
Completion of this course should enable students to meet the following Learning Outcome:
- Students will effectively analyze and interpret the meaning, cultural significance, and ethical implications of literary/philosophical texts or of works in the visual/performing arts.
Course content, activities and exercises in this course should help students develop the following Career-Ready Competencies:
- Ethical Reasoning
- Information Literacy
- Intercultural Competence