Course Content and Outcomes Guides (CCOG)

CCOG for JPN 261A archive revision 202204

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Effective Term:
Fall 2022

Course Number:
JPN 261A
Course Title:
Japanese Culture
Credit Hours:
3
Lecture Hours:
30
Lecture/Lab Hours:
0
Lab Hours:
0

Course Description

Introduces Japanese traditional and modern culture and society through analysis of cultural, historical and social issues by media product and literary work. Explores concepts such as self-identity, Japanese views of the West, gender roles, perspectives on death and more. Course conducted in English. Japanese materials are subtitled in English. Audit available.

Intended Outcomes for the course

Upon successful completion students should be able to:

1. Use an understanding of key ideology and terminology on concepts such as selfidentity, Japanese views of the West, gender roles and perspectives on death and use critical thinking to evaluate historical changes and their impact on current Japanese society.
2. Recognize the social contributions of Japan based on a deepened understanding of its history, ecology, society, politics, and culture in order to appreciate and evaluate cultural diversity in the global community.
3. Identify culturally grounded assumptions of one’s own and apply a basic understanding of Japanese culture, social and political issues, perspectives, and forms of expression, to resolve cultural conflicts.
4. Enhance citizenship skills through the practice of selfappraisal and examination of one’s personal beliefs in comparison to the beliefs of others.
5. Apply cultural understandings learned in class effectively in authentic interactions with native speakers of Japanese.

Outcome Assessment Strategies

  • Active participation in small group discussions
  • Active participation in inter-active class discussions
  • Conceptual written tasks to assess understanding of cultural and social themes in readings and films
  • Individual and group presentations

Course Content (Themes, Concepts, Issues and Skills)

The following themes will be explored in the course:

Japanese youth and social issues
Japanese female and male gender roles
Ethnics, social groups and conflict in Japan
Japan’s self-identity and Asia
Japanese views of the West
Japanese music
Cultural perspectives on death and treatment of the dead and other social events
Organized crime in Japan

Competencies and Skills:

Recognizes cultural and humanistic issues through comparisons, contrast, reading and discussions
Demonstrates understanding of relevant cultural and social issues in contemporary Japanese society
Increased critical thinking skills
Small group collaboration
Speaking and listening reflectively
Critical analysis of cultural issues in films
Gains opportunities to develop empathy, compassion and respect.