Japanese Culture and Society

Course Information

College	Akashi College	Year	2022
Course Title	Japanese Culture and Society
Course Code	4123	Course Category	General / Compulsory
Class Format	Lecture	Credits	School Credit: 1
Department	Mechanical Engineering	Student Grade	1st
Term	First Semester	Classes per Week	2
Textbook and/or Teaching Materials	The teacher will make and distribute the handout.
Instructor	KUBOTA Ikumi

Course Objectives

1. Learn about and understand Japanese culture, and also relate it to their own culture. Also realize the differences and similarities between the two cultures and can speculate about them.
2. Can speak for a reasonable amount of time and write a reasonable length about a range of topics on culture and language behavior in Japan and their own countries, in an easy-to-understand manner, with respect to social and cultural commonalities and differences.

Rubric

	Ideal Level	Standard Level	Unacceptable Level
Achievement 1	Have more knowledge and information about Japanese culture than from what was presented in class.	Have sufficient knowledge and information about Japanese culture from what was presented in class.	Have basic knowledge and information about Japanese culture from what was presented in class.
Achievement 2	Can explain what they have noticed or speculated about the differences and similarities between their own culture and Japanese culture based on their background and reasoning.	Can explain what they have noticed or speculated about differences and similarities between their own culture and Japanese culture.	Cannot point out the differences or similarities between their own culture and Japanese culture.
Achievement 3	Can effectively use the Japanese they've already learned to express and write logical sentences on topics related to culture and language behavior in Japan and their own countries.	Can express words and phrases in a simple way or write connected sentences about the culture and language behavior of Japan and their own countries.	Cannot make sentences about the culture and language behavior of Japan or their own countries, and can only express them in words.

Teaching Method

Outline:

There are differences in language behavior and culture that we notice in real-life communication situations. The aim of this course is for students to develop a deeper understanding of the differences in language behavior and culture between Japan and their own countries. Also, to speak and write about themselves and their countries in Japanese, and relate them to the theme set for each lesson.

Style:

The class will be carried out using handouts. Students will say what they noticed in class during class time or fill it out on a handout. For Japanese speaking and writing assignments, they should prepare, correct the places the instructor put a check mark on by themselves, and present or submit them when finished.

Notice:

We hope this class will deepen students' understanding of Japan and their own cultures and allow them to be able to think about them more clearly. In addition, this class involves speaking and writing in Japanese, so students are expected to use it as an opportunity to practice producing actual Japanese by using vocabulary, sentence patterns, and expressions that they have learned.
Students who miss 1/4 or more of classes will not be eligible for a passing grade.

Characteristics of Class / Division in Learning

Active Learning

Applicable to Remote Class

Course Plan

			Theme	Goals
1st Semester
	1st Quarter
		1st	Orientation	Understand the class objectives and content.
		2nd	Necessary procedures for living after coming to Japan	Can write your personal information in Japan in Japanese.
		3rd	Necessary procedures for living after coming to Japan	Can write your personal information in Japanese while interacting with the person in charge at banks or mobile phone shops.
		4th	Self-introduction	Learn about topics that Japanese people often talk about in self-introduction, and notice the difference from your own country. Can also think about why each country tends to deal with the topic.
		5th	Self-introduction	Can introduce yourself in some detail while incorporating the contents that Japanese people often talk about in self-introduction.
		6th	Conversation with the shop staff	Can express the conditions of what you want in Japanese. Also, understand the expressions used when shopping and eating.
		7th	Conversation with the shop staff	Can use the Japanese you learned in the 6th week to interact with the clerk to buy what you want.
		8th	Dormitory life	Can notice the differences between your home country and Japan and the characteristics of each in the dormitory life.
	2nd Quarter
		9th	Dormitory life	Can explain the goodness of living in the dormitory and the points that you are not used to.
		10th	Dormitory life	Can write a letter to thank the dormitory staff or suggest something.
		11th	Disaster and Disaster prevention	Understand words related to natural disasters and disaster prevention.
		12th	Disaster and Disaster prevention	Learn about Japan's efforts related to natural disasters and disaster prevention.
		13th	Disaster and Disaster prevention	Can find out about examples of efforts related to natural disasters and disaster prevention in Akashi City.
		14th	Disaster and Disaster prevention	Can explain concretely what you investigated in the 13th week.
		15th	Disaster and Disaster prevention	Can verbally tell others about the content of the 14th week. Can also listen to the announcements of others and give your thoughts and opinions.
		16th	Reflection	Can explain new things they found out in class, things that changed their minds, and how their Japanese abilities and skills have developed.

Evaluation Method and Weight (%)

	Presentation・ Production work	Oral examination	Behavior	Total
Subtotal	70	20	10	100
Basic Proficiency	35	20	0	55
Specialized Proficiency	0	0	0	0
Cross Area Proficiency	35	0	10	45