INTL2004: Introduction to Japanese Culture
Spring Semester 2007
East Carolina University
COURSE DISCRIPTION
This course provides an introduction to contemporary Japanese culture. We will watch
five selected Japanese films from classic masterpieces to examples of modern pop
culture. The teaching methodology is participatory rather than prescriptive. Active
participation of each student is expected leading to in-depth discussion of topics, such as
cultural expectations and norms/values/attitudes.
COURSE GOALS/OBJECTIVE
Upon successful completion of this course, you will:
1. Understand more about Japanese life and culture and be able to express this
knowledge to others.
2. Have developed critical thinking in order to analyze cultures both comparatively
and in their own terms.
INSTRUCTOR
- Nobu Asaoka
Office: 3301A Bate Building
Phone: 328-2104
e-mail: asaokan@ecu.edu
Office hours: MWF: 3:00 – 4: 00 or by appointment
CLASS MEETINGS
MWF: 12:00 – 12:50 1010 Bate Building
COURSE MATERIALS (Available at the University bookstore)
- Textbook: With Respect to the Japanese by John C Condon (Intercultural Press)
COURSE REQUIREMENTS & GRADES
Daily performance (class attendance & participation)
Reaction/Commentary essay on each film
Project 1 (interview native Japanese)
Project 2 (presentation on your topic)
30%
20%
20%
30%
A 90 – 100
B 80 – 89
C 70 – 79
D 60 – 69
ATTENDANCE & ACTIVE PARTICIPATION
At the beginning of each class, small groups will be formed to discuss on one or two
topics related to cultural misunderstanding, indicated by the instructor. Later the results
of these discussions will be presented to the whole class. Every idea and thought,
especially from your own experience, will be respected and actively discussed.
ESSAY ON FILM
Five selected Japanese films will be shown in class. You are required to write a 2 page
double-spaced, typed reaction/commentary essay on each movie. The topics include a
brief description of the film (or extracts of the film you find particularly unique or
peculiar to the film) and you thoughts about it. The deadline for each essay is the
following Monday (before class) after the film-viewing. You are expected to send your
essay to the instructor electronically so that the instructor can comment on it and send it
back to you with a grade. Missing the deadline will lower your grade (i.e. from A to B).
The grade will be based on both organization and quality of ideas. However, your lowest
grade will be dropped from your final assessment.
PROJECT 1: INTERVIEW NATIVE JAPANESE
You will be asked to interview a native Japanese in the U.S. The person whom you
interview will be assigned by the instructor. The purpose of this project is to see if your
perceptions or more general American perception of Japanese culture is accurate. You are
required to create your own questions (in consultation with the instructor) and present the
results of your interview to the whole class. The first deadline for creating questions is
the 29th of January. An individual consultation meeting to discuss your questions is set up
for the 2nd of February (replacing the regular class). The second deadline for interview
questions is the 5th of February. On the 7th and 9th of February you will present the results
of your interview for discussion in class.
PROJECT 2: PRESENTATION OF YOUR OWN TOPIC
You will be asked to do research on your own topic on some aspect of Japanese culture
(chosen in consultation with the instructor) and present your research to the class. The
purpose of this project is to educate the whole class. The deadline for choosing the topic
is the 5th of March. Individual consultation meetings (replacing the regular class) are
provided on the 2nd and 4th of April. You are expected to show the progress you have
made on your ongoing project (or at least the outline) to the instructor who will then give
you some guidance. You are also required to write a 10-page double-spaced typed project
paper. Each of you is assigned 15 minutes for your presentation with a 5 minute questionand-answer session following. (Please note that you cannot simply read your research
paper: you must make a presentation). The deadline for your project paper is the day you
make your presentation. The grade will be based on your presentation and paper (both
organization and quality of your ideas).
MOVIE LIST
1. Daremo shirarai (Nobody Knows), 2004 by Hirokazu Koreeda
2. Shiko funjatta, 1990 by Masayuki Suo
3. Rashomon, 1950 by Akira Kurosawa
4. Waterboys, 2001 by Shinobu Yaguchi
5. Ugetsu monogatari, 1953 by Kenji Mizoguchi
RECOMMENDED MOVIE LIST
Although the recommended movies will not be shown in class, they are all available
either at Joyner Library or at Foreign Language Resource Center and are highly
recommended to each of you. Viewing some or all of these movies will enhance your
understanding of Japanese culture and help you write your project paper and film essays.
1. Tokyo monogatari, 1953 by Yasujiro Ozu
2. Unagi, 1997 by Shohei Imamura
3. Hana-bi, 1997 by Takeshi Kitano
4. Mononoke-hime, 1997 by Hayao Miyazaki
5. Odoru daisosasen, 1998 by Katsuyuki Shinoda
6. Go, 2001 by Isao Yukisada
7. Minbo no onna, 1992 by Juzo Itami
8. Shonen jidai, 1990 by Masahiro Shinoda
9. Gakko, 1993 by Yoji Yamada
10. Postman burusu, 1997 by Hiroyuki Tanaka
11. Kurutta ippeji, 1926 by Teinosuke Kinugasa
12. Cure, 1997 by Kiyoshi Kurosawa
13. Shichinin no samurai, 1954 by Akira Kurosawa
14. Bakushu, 1951 by Yasujiro Ozu
CLASS SCHEDULE
Date
January 5 (F)
8 (M)
10 (W)
12 (F)
15 (M)
17 (W)
19 (F)
22 (M)
24 (W)
26 (F)
29 (M)
31 (W)
February 2 (F)
5 (M)
7 (W)
9 (F)
12 (M)
14 (W)
16 (F)
19 (M)
21 (W)
23 (F)
26 (M)
28 (W)
March 2 (F)
Class Content
Introduction
Discuss of the definition of
“culture”
Film
Assignment Due
HOLIDAY/NO CLASS
Film 1
Film 1
Film 1
Essay 1
Interview Question
Individual Consultation Meeting
Film 2
Film 2
Film 2
Interview Question
Essay 2
Film 3
Film 3
Film 3
Essay 3
5 (M)
7 (W)
9 (F)
12 (M)
14 (W)
16 (F)
19 (M)
21 (W)
23 (F)
26 (M)
28 (W)
30 (F)
April 2 (M)
4 (W)
6 (F)
9 (M)
11 (W)
13 (F)
16 (M)
18 (W)
20 (F)
23 (M)
Conduct Interview
Project Topic Choice
Presentation on Interview
Presentation on Interview
SPRING BREAK
SPRING BREAK
SPRING BREAK
Film 4
Film 4
Film 4
Essay 4
Individual Consultation Meeting
Individual Consultation Meeting
HOLIDAY/NO CLASS
Film 5
Film 5
Film 5
Student Presentation
Student Presentation
Student Presentation
Student Presentation
Essay 5
Project 2
Project 2
Project 2
Project 2