Fall 2021
JAPN 310: Japanese Cinema
This course provides an introductory scrutiny of major Japanese directors and genres with attention to film composition, choices of subject and character, and the relationship of cinema to Japanese culture and society. Students will analyze and discuss cinematographic elements and cultural codes among a variety of film genres, production of their historical and socio-cultural context, as well as issues dealing with popular culture and equity. Taught in English.
MLO 2 Japanese Culture
Work Example
MLO 2 Japanese Culture
Work Example
I learned about the major Japanese film directors and genres, with a focus on film composition, subject and character choices, and the relationship of cinema to Japanese culture and society. The course provided an introductory scrutiny of the various elements that make up a film, such as camera angles, lighting, sound, and music, as well as how they are used to convey meaning and emotion. Us as students would have also analyzed and discussed the cultural codes and themes present in Japanese films, and how they reflect the historical and socio-cultural context in which they were produced. The course explored a variety of film genres, from classic samurai and jidaigeki films to contemporary anime and horror movies, and examines their contribution to the development of Japanese cinema. Additionally, the course addressed issues dealing with popular culture and equity, such as representation, diversity, and inclusion in Japanese films. By the end of the course, I developed a critical understanding of the art and industry of Japanese cinema, as well as the ability to analyze and interpret cultural codes and themes in films and other forms of media.
JAPN 311: Social Issues in Japan
As the drive to rebuild modern Japan after WWII slowed, latent and new social problems have become visible. This course offers interdisciplinary perspectives on issues such as care of the elderly and homeless, equal treatment of minorities, gender and labor issues, domestic and world ecological concerns, and relevant institutions that promote or attack prejudice towards heterogeneous social groups. Taught in English.
MLO 2 & GWAR Japanese Culture
MLO 2 & GWAR Japanese Culture
Work Example
Work Example
I learned about social issues that had emerged in Japan since the post-WWII era, as the drive to rebuild modern Japan slowed down. The course offered various perspectives on various social problems that have become visible in recent times. Topics covered in the course included care of the elderly and homeless, equal treatment of minorities, gender and labor issues, domestic and world economic concerns, and relevant institutions that promote or attack prejudice towards certain social groups. I was taught to analyze and discussed these issues from a range of perspectives, including historical, cultural, political, and economic. The course had introduced us students to key concepts, terminology, and approaches in the social sciences, such as sociology, anthropology, political science, and environmental studies, as they relate to contemporary issues in Japan. In the end, I gained a deeper understanding of the complex social issues facing Japan today, as well as the ability to critically analyze and evaluate different perspectives on these issues.
JAPN 304: Intro to Translation and Interpretation
This course is an introduction to translating and interpreting that provides an overview of the knowledge necessary for the fields of translation and interpretation. Students will study general issues involved in translating and interpreting and building the foundation of knowledge and techniques including rapid reading, analyzing, summarizing and paraphrasing, listening comprehension and shadowing. Taught in Japanese.
MLO 1 Japanese Language and Communication
MLO 1 Japanese Language and Communication
Work Example
In Japanese 304, we were able to complete the requirements for MLO 1, 1.1 through the practice of simultaneous interpretation, translating slides into English on the spot, and studying the differences between scanning and skimming. We were taught how to properly handle ourselves in a high stress and professional way which was still respectful to Japanese culture and society. We were advised to also complete pages in our workbooks that were relevant to the subject which we were learning at the time as well. For instance, when learning scanning and skimming in week 6, we had to complete pages 64 to 66, parts 1 through 3 and pages 68 to 69, parts 1 to 2. These would help us learn to skim through the rather long paragraphs assigned for the general theme while scanning for important details which we must know and memorize. Through this course I gained the knowledge that simply being able to read and repeat what a piece of information says or what someone is saying is not enough to make a good translation or interpretation; you must make sure that you have conveyed the overall feeling and have a thorough understanding of how the present culture perceives certain phrases and tones. With that being said, I wish for myself to further develop my translation skills in using certain symbols and marks in order to remember what the speaker says when simultaneously translating. I intend to study through the watching of videos, attending lectures when I have the opportunity, and researching on my own.