JAPN 142 - Introduction to Japanese Life and Culture

Credits: 5
Students will learn about various aspects of Japanese traditional and popular culture. The course will be broken down into three blocks: History/Art, Society and Popular Culture. In the History/Art block, ancient, medieval, early modern and modern histories of Japan will be the focus. Various forms of Japanese fine and performance art will also be introduced at this time. In the Society block, issues such as family and education will be covered. Samurai film, television, manga and anime will be topics for the Popular Culture block. In addition to lectures, students will work with peers from diverse backgrounds in completing a variety of in-class activities. In doing so, students will develop intercultural competence as well as other critical competencies such as interpersonal, critical thinking, problem solving, and oral and written communication skills. In English.

Enrollment Requirement: Eligible for ENGL 99 or instructor consent. Recommended: College-level reading.

Satisfies Requirement: Humanities/Fine Arts/English
Course Fee: $4.00

Course Outcomes:
Students who successfully complete this class will be able to:

Demonstrate understanding of elements of traditional Japanese culture such as history, art, and religion.
Demonstrate understanding of elements of Japanese society such as family, education, and modesty in communication.
Demonstrate understanding of elements of popular Japanese culture such as manga, anime, film, and television.
Demonstrate intercultural competence for understanding of a different culture.

Program Outcomes
Analyze cultural perspectives and values of a multicultural world.

College-wide Outcomes

Critical Thinking - Critical thinking finds expression in all disciplines and everyday life. It is characterized by an ability to reflect upon thinking patterns, including the role of emotions on thoughts, and to rigorously assess the quality of thought through its work products. Critical thinkers routinely evaluate thinking processes and alter them, as necessary, to facilitate an improvement in their thinking and potentially foster certain dispositions or intellectual traits over time.
Responsibility - Responsibility encompasses those behaviors and dispositions necessary for students to be effective members of a community. This outcome is designed to help students recognize the value of a commitment to those responsibilities which will enable them to work successfully individually and with others.
Written Communication - Written Communication encompasses all the abilities necessary for effective expression of thoughts, feelings, and ideas in written form.