JAPN 407 - Japan in Asia
Course Description:
This course examines the history of Japan in Asia, and how this legacy impacts dealings with its Asian neighbors. How is Japan optimizing it's position in Asia and how are these efforts seen by others in the region? How do Japanese cultural exports work to change perceptions of Japan and the Japanese people in countries once colonized by Japan? How is Japan opening up to people from other countries in Asia and where does it fall short as a regional leader? Taught in English.
This course examines the history of Japan in Asia, and how this legacy impacts dealings with its Asian neighbors. How is Japan optimizing it's position in Asia and how are these efforts seen by others in the region? How do Japanese cultural exports work to change perceptions of Japan and the Japanese people in countries once colonized by Japan? How is Japan opening up to people from other countries in Asia and where does it fall short as a regional leader? Taught in English.
MLOs and Evidence:
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).
- To fulfill this MLO, we discussed, wrote, and read about issues such as soft power, religious and political interrelationships among Southeast Asian countries, and a number of other topics.
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.
- To fulfill this MLO, we discussed Japan's history and political relationships with other countries, and how those things have shaped modern Japan and the world.
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).
- To fulfill this MLO, we discussed, wrote, and read about issues such as soft power, religious and political interrelationships among Southeast Asian countries, and a number of other topics.
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.
- To fulfill this MLO, we discussed Japan's history and political relationships with other countries, and how those things have shaped modern Japan and the world.
In this course, there was heavy focus on political issues between the United States and Japan, as well as how these interactions then affect other global political conditions. Through lecture, discussion, and various readings along with writing assignments, we explored these topics thoroughly, along with Japanese cultural conditions domestically.
Throughout the semester, we wrote three papers on issues involving Japan, the United States, and other important global players involved with Japan. We were also given several group assignments and readings pertaining to these issues.
By the end of the semester, I became most interested and most enlightened about issues involving South Korea and the Korean peninsula in general that were previously unknown to me. Furthermore, I gained far greater knowledge of domestic issues in Japan and the importance of China in relation to Japan. I would still like to learn more about the relationship between South Korea and Japan, as well as the importance of China in Japan's future.
I hope to gain more perspective on all of the issues discussed in this course by further exploring them via experience in Japan and by learning about the perspective of Japanese students.
Throughout the semester, we wrote three papers on issues involving Japan, the United States, and other important global players involved with Japan. We were also given several group assignments and readings pertaining to these issues.
By the end of the semester, I became most interested and most enlightened about issues involving South Korea and the Korean peninsula in general that were previously unknown to me. Furthermore, I gained far greater knowledge of domestic issues in Japan and the importance of China in relation to Japan. I would still like to learn more about the relationship between South Korea and Japan, as well as the importance of China in Japan's future.
I hope to gain more perspective on all of the issues discussed in this course by further exploring them via experience in Japan and by learning about the perspective of Japanese students.