MLO 2: Culture
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 215
JAPN 302
JAPN 305
JAPN 306
JAPN 308
JAPN 402
2.1.
For this learning outcome I was definitely able to take plenty of courses to gain a fuller understanding on what Japanese culture is and the beliefs and traditions that make it up. The importance of this part in learning the language is very crucial since learning more about the people, and what they are about makes learning the language they speak all the much more interesting. Really all of my courses had gone over the different practices and beliefs, different aspects that make up the culture. In Japanese literature we were able to go over literature from the Heian period to gain an understanding of writings of the time like haiku. Then in the various courses I took that were taught in English I learned mostly about things like pop culture and business practices. The Japanese mind course was very interesting where we were able to look at the different views that the Japanese have, or are said to have, and compare them with what we think. It was interesting to see, however, that because of the spreading of ideas throughout the globe in this ever increasing globalized society the practices or viewpoints that the Japanese are said to have are actually becoming less and less common. Then my favorite part of the culture section, probably, would be the pop culture portion. What better way to learn about this than by taking a Japanese pop culture course? Here I was able to learn about the Kawaii culture of Japan and be able to compare that to what we view as “cute” in Western society. Then since one of my favorite parts of this pop culture has to do with anime and manga, the opportunity to do a paper (see samples) on fansubbing and the ways these forms of media get into the world was definitely a highlight of this portion.
2.2.
Japan with its rich background and history has definitely been influencing the way Japanese of today think, and how Japanese culture has evolved into what it is today. In several of my culture courses we went over religion in Japan, and how it is such an integral part of the Japanese way of life that it still has a huge impact in what is considered to be Japanese culture. For example the Shinto belief in kami and deity spirits in nature can still be found in pop culture media such as dramas, mangas, and anime. There are also aspects of a more occult form of Japanese practice called onmyoudo that can be seen in many popular culture outlets as well. It should also be noted that the culture doesn’t just use folk beliefs for pop culture and entertainment, but in ceremonies for opening a tunnel or dedicating a new building site. It was definitely very interesting to find the different outlets that “religion” found to make it into what Japanese culture is today. Even though most Japanese say they don’t believe in anything or aren’t religious, parts of a religion are everywhere in their society.
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 215
JAPN 302
JAPN 305
JAPN 306
JAPN 308
JAPN 402
2.1.
For this learning outcome I was definitely able to take plenty of courses to gain a fuller understanding on what Japanese culture is and the beliefs and traditions that make it up. The importance of this part in learning the language is very crucial since learning more about the people, and what they are about makes learning the language they speak all the much more interesting. Really all of my courses had gone over the different practices and beliefs, different aspects that make up the culture. In Japanese literature we were able to go over literature from the Heian period to gain an understanding of writings of the time like haiku. Then in the various courses I took that were taught in English I learned mostly about things like pop culture and business practices. The Japanese mind course was very interesting where we were able to look at the different views that the Japanese have, or are said to have, and compare them with what we think. It was interesting to see, however, that because of the spreading of ideas throughout the globe in this ever increasing globalized society the practices or viewpoints that the Japanese are said to have are actually becoming less and less common. Then my favorite part of the culture section, probably, would be the pop culture portion. What better way to learn about this than by taking a Japanese pop culture course? Here I was able to learn about the Kawaii culture of Japan and be able to compare that to what we view as “cute” in Western society. Then since one of my favorite parts of this pop culture has to do with anime and manga, the opportunity to do a paper (see samples) on fansubbing and the ways these forms of media get into the world was definitely a highlight of this portion.
2.2.
Japan with its rich background and history has definitely been influencing the way Japanese of today think, and how Japanese culture has evolved into what it is today. In several of my culture courses we went over religion in Japan, and how it is such an integral part of the Japanese way of life that it still has a huge impact in what is considered to be Japanese culture. For example the Shinto belief in kami and deity spirits in nature can still be found in pop culture media such as dramas, mangas, and anime. There are also aspects of a more occult form of Japanese practice called onmyoudo that can be seen in many popular culture outlets as well. It should also be noted that the culture doesn’t just use folk beliefs for pop culture and entertainment, but in ceremonies for opening a tunnel or dedicating a new building site. It was definitely very interesting to find the different outlets that “religion” found to make it into what Japanese culture is today. Even though most Japanese say they don’t believe in anything or aren’t religious, parts of a religion are everywhere in their society.
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