MLO 2: Culture
Learning Outcomes:
2.1 Students develop a comprehensive understanding, appreciation and knowledge of Japanese culture: perspectives (ideas, beliefs, attitudes, values, philosophies), practices (patterns of social interactions) and products (both tangible and intangible, for example, art, history, literature, music).
2.2 Students develop analytical and critical thinking in areas such as how Japan’s cultural background influences modern Japanese life, how to compare their own culture with the Japanese culture, or how Japanese culture relates to other world cultures in an age of global inter-relatedness.
Courses taken:
JAPN 302 - History of Japan
JAPN 305 - Introduction to Japanese Culture and Civilization
JAPN 215 - Cool Japan Today
JAPN 308 - Japanese Pop-Culture
JAPN 313 - Manga, Anime and Modern Japan
English Lecture A - Japanese Culture and Religion I
English Lecture B - Japanese Culture and Religion II
Modernizing Japan
Reflective Narrative:
2.1 Perhaps nothing enhanced my understanding of the Japanese culture and all it involves as my study abroad experience. During my time in Japan I had the opportunity to take three courses that significantly increased my knowledge of the Japanese values, philosophies, ideas, beliefs, as well as art, history among characteristics of this beautiful culture. English lectures A and B focused mainly on the Japanese perspective of the world and themselves through a religious point of view, both Shinto and Buddhism were studied. I had the opportunity to learn concepts such as "one corner," "a patch of green," as well as my personal favorites "Mono no Aware" and "Wabi-sabi." Professor Ishida was a very patient and open-minded professor who would explain everything in detail for those of us who struggle with such profound ideas. We also studied values, and interesting ideas that showed us the differences between our behaviors and values and those of the Japanese people, known as polite fictions. It also helped that before leaving for Japan, I took several classes introducing the idea of Japanese religions and a bit of history which allowed me to comprehend everything in an easier way.
2.2 Courses such as Japanese Pop-Culture, Introduction to Japanese Culture and Civilization, Cool Japan and Modernizing Japan were all instrumental for the development of my critical thinking in relation to the Japanese way of life, their relationship to other nations and the reasons behind all of it. I understood why the Sakoku Policy (Closed-country policy) was implemented, I also understood why Sino-Japanese relations are as fragile as they are today. Nevertheless, the Modernizing Japan class while I was studying in Japan was an eye-opener for me, I understood more not only about Japan, but I began to see my own culture (Mexican) as well as American cultures from a different point of view, I became more aware of what being Mexican means and I came to love and be prouder about my culture even more than I already did, especially after reading and analyzing the Japanese literary work Kokoro by Natume Soseki.
Modernizing Japan Kokoro paper
2.1 Students develop a comprehensive understanding, appreciation and knowledge of Japanese culture: perspectives (ideas, beliefs, attitudes, values, philosophies), practices (patterns of social interactions) and products (both tangible and intangible, for example, art, history, literature, music).
2.2 Students develop analytical and critical thinking in areas such as how Japan’s cultural background influences modern Japanese life, how to compare their own culture with the Japanese culture, or how Japanese culture relates to other world cultures in an age of global inter-relatedness.
Courses taken:
JAPN 302 - History of Japan
JAPN 305 - Introduction to Japanese Culture and Civilization
JAPN 215 - Cool Japan Today
JAPN 308 - Japanese Pop-Culture
JAPN 313 - Manga, Anime and Modern Japan
English Lecture A - Japanese Culture and Religion I
English Lecture B - Japanese Culture and Religion II
Modernizing Japan
Reflective Narrative:
2.1 Perhaps nothing enhanced my understanding of the Japanese culture and all it involves as my study abroad experience. During my time in Japan I had the opportunity to take three courses that significantly increased my knowledge of the Japanese values, philosophies, ideas, beliefs, as well as art, history among characteristics of this beautiful culture. English lectures A and B focused mainly on the Japanese perspective of the world and themselves through a religious point of view, both Shinto and Buddhism were studied. I had the opportunity to learn concepts such as "one corner," "a patch of green," as well as my personal favorites "Mono no Aware" and "Wabi-sabi." Professor Ishida was a very patient and open-minded professor who would explain everything in detail for those of us who struggle with such profound ideas. We also studied values, and interesting ideas that showed us the differences between our behaviors and values and those of the Japanese people, known as polite fictions. It also helped that before leaving for Japan, I took several classes introducing the idea of Japanese religions and a bit of history which allowed me to comprehend everything in an easier way.
2.2 Courses such as Japanese Pop-Culture, Introduction to Japanese Culture and Civilization, Cool Japan and Modernizing Japan were all instrumental for the development of my critical thinking in relation to the Japanese way of life, their relationship to other nations and the reasons behind all of it. I understood why the Sakoku Policy (Closed-country policy) was implemented, I also understood why Sino-Japanese relations are as fragile as they are today. Nevertheless, the Modernizing Japan class while I was studying in Japan was an eye-opener for me, I understood more not only about Japan, but I began to see my own culture (Mexican) as well as American cultures from a different point of view, I became more aware of what being Mexican means and I came to love and be prouder about my culture even more than I already did, especially after reading and analyzing the Japanese literary work Kokoro by Natume Soseki.
Modernizing Japan Kokoro paper