An International Students’ Guide to Courses in
International Culture Program in
Faculty of Integrated Arts and Sciences
(Courses accessible in English)
1. Seminar in English Language:
Second Language Acquisition I
Instructor: Meredith Stephens
(Autumn-Winter 2014)
9-10Fri
meredith@ias.tokushima-u.ac.jp
Class description
Topics covered in this course concern second language acquisition, such as second language
learning strategies, individual variation in second language acquisition, and the differences in learning
second languages according to language distance
General method of instruction (language used)
Classes are discussion-based, and students conduct research for homework and report on their
findings in the class. The class is conducted in English, but there is no restriction on which language the
students can use in the class.
Textbook:
Griffiths, C. (Ed.) Lessons from good language learners. Cambridge University Press 2008
Class assignments, quizzes, exams (language used)
Assessment is based on weekly presentations. Research can be done either in Japanese or English,
but the presentation is in English.
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2. Seminar in English Language:
Second Language Acquisition II:
Instructor: Meredith Stephens
(Spring 2015) 9-10Fri
meredith@ias.tokushima-u.ac.jp
Class description
Topics covered in this course include language transfer, the differences between L1 and L2, and
Pragmatics, with a particular focus on Politeness Theory.
General method of instruction (language used)
Classes are discussion-based, and students conduct research for homework and report on their
findings in the class. The class is conducted in English, but there is no restriction on which language the
students can use in the class.
Textbooks:
Crystal, C. How language works: How babies babble, words change meaning and languages live or
die. Penguin Books, 2006
滝浦真人(2008)/ポライトネス入門/ 研究社
Class assignments, quizzes, exams (language used)
Assessment is based on weekly presentations. Research can be done either in Japanese or English,
but the presentation is in English.
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3. Seminar in English Language:
Language Education Policies around the World
(Fall-Winter, 2014)
steve.fukuda@tokushima-u.ac.jp 9-10Fri
Instructor: Steve Fukuda
Class description
Comparative education is a discipline in social science that compares educational systems around the
world. In this introductory level course, particular attention will be placed on language learning policies.
Readings and discussions will center on student learning context, governmental initiatives, and
curriculum and syllabus design.
General method of instruction (language used)
Each class will be based on student presentations of weekly topics that lead into group discussions.
The topics will all be based on assigned readings and out-of-class research and group work. The class
will be conducted in mostly English with occasional use of Japanese. Students will be required to meet
outside of class to work on group assignments.
Textbooks for International Students and Returnees:
1) Braine, G. (2005). Teaching English to the world: History, curriculum, and practice. New York:
Routledge.
2) A.P.R. Howatt, A. P. R. & Widdowson, H. G. (2004). History of English language teaching history Of
English language teaching (2nd Ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Textbooks for Japanese Students:
1) 矢野安剛, 木村松雄,木下正義, 本名信行. (2011). 英語教育政策―世界の言語教育政策論をめぐって.
東京：大修館書店
2) 伊村元道. (2003). 日本の英語教育 200 年. 東京: 大修館書店.
Grading Criteria:
Discussion preparation based on reading assignments both in English and Japanese, and a mid-term
and end-of-term report written either in Japanese or in English.
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4. Seminar in English Literature:
Early Western Views of Japan (Fall-Winter, 2014)
Instructor: Donald Sturge
dws@tokushima-u.ac.jp
Course description
This course focuses on early communication between Japan and the western world. Main texts are
reports written in the 16th and 17th centuries by visitors to Japan, originally written in English or translated
into English. This consideration of the period known as the Christian Century in Japan also includes
references to modern historical appraisals and modern fiction related to that era.
General method of instruction (language used)
English is the language of instruction for this course. Class activities involve review and discussion of
course materials.
Main Resource Materials:
Shusaku Endo. The Samurai. Tuttle, 1995..
Michael Cooper (Ed). They Came to Japan. U of Michigan P, 1995.
Money L. Hickman (Ed). Japan’s Golden Age: Momoyama. Yale UP, 1996.
Evaluation, Class assignments
Evaluation is based on in-class presentations, written/oral examinations and class participation.
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5. Seminar: Modern Japan Insights (Fall-Winter, 2014) Mon. 3-4
Instructor: Donald Sturge
dws@tokushima-u.ac.jp
Course description
This course focuses on aspects of modern Japanese society via review and discussion of articles from
books, magazines and newspapers as well as video presentations. Particular attention is given to the
current Japanese work and learning ethic and to relationships between Japan and neighbor countries
that suffered due to 20th Century Japanese militarism.
General method of instruction (language used)
English is the language of instruction for this course. Class activities involve review and discussion of
class materials selected by the instructor in concert with students.
Main Resource Materials:
Pearl Harbour to Hiroshima [Video]. BBC, 1986.
Jack Seward. The Japanese. Yohan, 1988.
Nippon: Japan Since 1945 [Video]. BBC, 1990.
Evaluation, Class assignments
Evaluation is based on in-class presentations, written/oral examinations and class participation.
6. Seminar: Research on Comparative Studies of Cultures Thurs 3-4
Instructor: Herbert Wolfgang
Spring/ Fall
Course description
This course will introduce students to sociological research methods to explore issues in the modern
world, with emphasis on Japanese society. Students develop their own themes while they learn library
and field rearch methods. Students present their research topic. There will be discussions on various
contemporary issues.
Topics
1. Media as sources for research, 2. The “Construct” of media reports, 3. How to read newspapers
4. Discussions on Contemporary Issues, 5. Contemporary Issues, 6. Research methods: Interviews
7. Research methods: surveys 8. Research methods: Participant Observations, 9. Mind mapping
Evaluation, Class assignments
presentations, papers, and class participation
7. Seminar: Research on Comparative Studies of Cultures
Instructor: Jun Zaki
9〜10 Tues
Sring/Fall
Course description
Understanding Islamic religion and culture is essential to comprehensive views of the world now. This
seminar gives an in-depth analysis on Islamic culture, religion and ideologies in the perspective of
international politics. Students are introduced to Arabic language and Islamic thoughts as a way to
understand Middle East society and culture. The class involves student presentations and discussions
on media reports and international issues.
Textbooks
Sayyid Qutb、Milestones tr. Jun Zaki.
Jun Zaki, Jotai no Islam.
Class assignments, quizzes, exams (language used)
Evaluation is based on in-class presentations, written assignments and class participation.
8. Discussing World Issues (Practical English, Advanced)
Spring/ Fall
Instructor: Jun Zaki
3-4 Wed
Course description
This class focuses on presenting opinions on and discussing world issues using English to learn different
international perspectives from other students as this class welcomes both international and Japanese
students. Japanese students will have opportunities to use english to present their views and to learn the
views of people from different countries, while international students will have chances to get to know the
views of Japanese students more closely than in other classes while interacting in an international
classroom. Topics will be world issues involving religion and culture—Islamic, Christian, Hindu and
Buddhism.
Class assignments, quizzes, exams (language used)
Evaluation is based on in-class presentations, written assignments and class participation.
9. Discussing World Topics (Practical English, Advanced) Fri. 7-8
Spring/ Fall
Instructor: Donald Wade Sturge
7-8 Fri
Course description
This course is intended to stimulate exchange of different opinions and perspectives with Japanese and
international students. This course introduces topics of general interest and gives students a chance to
express their opinions orally and in writing. Formal and informal oral expression exercises are designed
to make students comfortable speaking in front of a group. A series of in-class oral presentation activities
provides a basic structure. Then students are encouraged to engage in discussions. Various topics are
introduced by reading and video.
Class assignments, quizzes, exams (language used)
Evaluation is based on in-class presentations, written assignments and class participation.
10. Studies in English Language I (Fall-Winter. 2014)
English Language: Past, Present, and Future
Instructor: Hiroshi Takubo
h.takubo@tokushima-u.ac.jp
Class description
This course surveys the historical and regional development of English language and the impact that
the language gave to the world. We’ll learn how language and society-- culture, economy, and power
structure interact to each other.
General method of instruction (language used)
In-class lectures and discussions. Class is conducted in Japanese, but questions and comments in
English are welcome.
Textbooks:
McCrum, Robert, et. al. The Story of English, 3rd ed. Penguin, 2002.
Class assignments, quizzes, exams (language used)
Reading assignments in Englsih, assignments, quizzes, and exams can be written either in Japanese
or in English.
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11. Studies in English Language II:. (Spring-Summer, 2014)
Linguistic Approaches to Studying English.工(知Ｂ)１年/田久保/前期 木 1〜2
Instructor: Hiroshi Takubo
h.takubo@tokushima-u.ac.jp
Class description
This is a foundation course for students interested in linguistic studies of English language. Students
will become acquainted with different linguistic approaches to study the phenomena associated with the
use of English language: Phonetics, Morphology, Semantics, Syntax, and discourse analysis. Students
will learn basic analytic methods in those approaches.
General method of instruction (language used)
In-class lecture; student presentations and discussions. Class is conducted in Japanese, but
questions and comments in English are welcome.
Textbooks:
Mullany, Louise, and Peter Stockwell. Introducing English Language. Routledge, 2010.
Class assignments, quizzes, exams (language used)
Reading assignments in Englsih, assignments, quizzes, and exams can be written either in Japanese
or in English.
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(Spring-Summer 2013/ Fall-Winter 2013-14)
Email: h.takubo@tokushima-u.ac.jp
12. Seminar in English Cultural Studies
Instructor: . Hiroshi Takubo
Seminar in Film Studies
Description of the Seminar
Discussions are organized so that students can develop skills and intellectual interests in
watching and writing on visual media analytically, to be able to study the media independently finding
themes in their social, cultural, artistic, and human context. We are also learning the stylistic elements
of film to appreciate the artistic techniques of producers in getting the audience emotionally involved.
General method of instruction (language used)
Seminars conducted in Japanese and English. Watching videos of notable cinematic works (Many
of them in English), we are going to discuss confrontations and oppositions in cultural and social
values or dilemmas represented in them.
References
Branston, Gill, and Roy Stafford. The Media Student’s Book, 5th ed. Routledge, 2010.
Bordwell, David, and Kristin Thompson. Film Art: An Introduction, 10th ed.. McGraw Hill, 2013.
Barsam, Richard, and Dave Monahan. Looking at Movies, 4th ed. Norton, 2013.
Gianetti, Louis. Understanding Movies, 10th ed. Pearson, 2005.
Class assignments, quizzes, exams (language used)
Reading assignments mostly in Englsih, papers can be written either in Japanese or in English.
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Introducing Teaching Staff
Meredith Ann Stevens
“I am a Japanophile but I also love going to visit relatives in Australia, England, Singapore and Hong
Kong. I am fascinated with other countries and have lived in the UK and France. In Japan, I have
lived in Tokyo, Yokohama, Takasago, Matsuyama, and Hiroshima. I am interested in how Japanese
students can efficiently learn English, and how English speakers can efficiently learn Japanese. I am
particularly interested in how speaking one of these languages as a first language interferes with
learning the other language as a second language, and how these interferences can be overcome.”
Steve Toshihisa Fukuda
“My research is focused on the pursuit of teaching excellence. Centered on learner autonomy, I have a
broad range of research interests in the eclectic field of ELT from learning strategies to teaching methods.
However, I consider most research questions from the self-determination theory and sociocultural theory
perspectives hoping my research influences future teachers. Teaching is an art, and as John Steinbeck
said, teaching is possibly ‘the greatest of the arts since the medium is the human mind and spirit.’”
Donald Sturge
“My general academic interests include English Literature, Comparative Culture and English
Language Teacher Education. At present, one of my main interests is developing international exchange
projects that help people from various cultural backgrounds share meaningful experiences. I am
particularly interested in helping people inside and outside this university work together on projects that
benefit society in Japan and elsewhere.”
Jun Zaki
“I am from Cairo, Egypt. I specializes in translation and simultaneous interpretation, International
politics, Islamic thoughts, law, and religion. I’m most interested in the cultural conflicts in the world and
measures and policy for resolving those coflict to peace.”
(Professor Zaki has many years of experience in media and journalism involved as professional
interpreter in the reports on the Gulf War and other Middle East coverage. He is the aluthor of Normal
Islam: A World Still Covered and more than three volumes of translation on Islamic world and religion.)
Herbert Wolfgang
“I’m from the Alpine region in West Austria. I started practicing karate at fifteen. I was the Austrian
karate champion for three consecutive years. I specializes in comparative history of ideas and
comparative sociology. My recent interests include religion in modern world, such as spiritualism,
secularism, reception of Buddhism in Germany, zen, philosopy of death and life.”
(Professor Wolfgang is the author of many books on Japanese sociological studies and religion,
including foregin workers, yakuza, tatooing, zen, and Buddhism, mostly in German. He also organizing
karate lessons on campus which are open to anyone.)
Hiroshi Takubo
“I lived in Manitoba for three years doing my graduate study in English literature. One of my concern is
developing international collaboration with teachers and students in Canada and other countries. My
focus has been on the literature and ideology in the post-French Revolutionary period of Britain. I’m
recently more and more interested in media especially film studies. I like to explore the lyricism and
symbolism, and Semiology in the visual representation of cinema as well as the politics involved there.”