Exploring Contemporary Japan

  Japan

• All Other Areas: 
Hiratsuka

Term: Summer 
Dates: June 1 - July 6, 2009

Description: Explore contemporary Japan while learning Japanese and earning university credit. Highlights of this academic program include:

- Classes held on the campus of Kanagawa University. Extensive opportunities for interaction with Kanagawa University students are provided through our well-established buddy program in which each visiting student is matched by shared interests with three Kanagawa University students.

- Opportunities to practice your Japanese language skills with Kanagawa University students and with your home-stay family.

- Enrichment of your Japanese language skills through classroom instruction, campus activities, and exploration of the cities of Hiratsuka, Kamakura, Tokyo, Kyoto and Hiroshima.

This five-week program is open to both undergraduate and graduate students. The programs home base is Hiratsuka, Japan, a medium-sized city (pop. 257,000) located 50 miles southwest of Tokyo on the coast of Sagami Bay. Hiratsuka is near the historic city of Kamakura and the majestic Mount Fuji.
   
The Contemporary Japan program consists of two components:

1. Language instruction and lectures in English about Japanese culture and society on Kanagawa University campus
Most mornings are devoted to language instruction or language study oriented field work. Afternoons are spent in lectures or discussions with Kanagawa University faculty and the KU Program Director or on field trips to nearby cities or within the city of Hiratsuka. Lectures are given by the faculty in sociology, international relations, anthropology, and business.

2. Cultural Fieldtrips
Fieldtrips include the following: seeing a kabuki play with English translation, visiting the controversial Yasukuni Shrine and its war museum, touring shrines in Kamakura, visiting various municipal facilities in Hiratsuka such as a high school, the recycling center and City Hall, touring temples and shrines in the ancient capital Kyoto during a three night excursion, visiting the Peace Park and Peace Museum in Hiroshima and enjoying the Tanabata Festival in Hiratsuka, one of the biggest in Japan.

Participants befriend Hiratsuka citizens and many Japanese university students from Kanagawa University during the program through the one week home stay, numerous cultural events with the Hiratsuka community and the Buddy Program with Japanese university students from Kanagawa University. This unique close connection with the Hiratsuka community is due the strong sister-city relationship between Lawrence, KS and Hiratsuka since 1990.

Highlights: Courses Offered

All students will enroll in two 3-credit hour courses: Contemporary Japan, and either Intermediate or Advanced Japanese in Context.

JPN 226/326 Intermediate/Advanced Japanese in Context (3 credits) Practice and improvement of language skills in classroom lessons and through direct experience in interviews and guided practical applications on campus and in Hiratsuka City.

EALC 350/590 Exploring Contemporary Japan (3 credits) Japan remains a beguiling mixture of old and new as it faces accelerating changes prompted by the economic challenges of globalization. Due to economic restructuring Japan has recovered from the recession of the 1990s, and ordinary people are finding that society offers less security but more freedom.

Through lectures and field trips we will examine the changing dynamics of various institutions in Japan: business and industry, education, the family, politics, transportation, religious practice, etc.

In addition to the traditional academic work of attending lectures and reading textbooks, students will conduct individual study projects. Possible topics include business practices, education, environmentalism, gender roles, popular culture, sports, religion, technology, etc. Course requirements include active participation in the classroom and on field trips, and both an oral and written report of the results of the independent study topic.

Degree Level: Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Cost in US$: Approximately $3,790 - $3,990

Tuition and Fees: Estimated tuition and fees for 6 credit hours (based on standard tuition rate): $1,239*

*Actual expenses for KU students will vary by the students individual tuition compact. Non-KU students will pay the standard tuition rate listed above.

Additional costs: Airfare, lunches, dinners, passport fee, textbooks and personal expenses.

Note
All dates, costs, and program information are subject to change as necessary due to fluctuations in the exchange rate or other reasons.   

Experience Required: no

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Transcript
• Written Application