Time Schedule:
Eriko K Rowe
SISEA 478
Seattle Campus
Introduction to articles and short works in economics, history, political science, and other social sciences. Assignments chosen from major Japanese monthlies and academic works. All readings in Japanese. Prerequisite: JAPAN 313.
Class description
University of Washington E. Rowe Winter 2008
SISEA 478/558 Friday 1:30 P.M. 4:30 P.M.
This course is designed to improve practical reading skills and to deepen their understanding on current issues in Japanese society. The topics will include social issues, current affairs, business and economic trends. The reading materials will be taken from recent Japanese media reports, books, business/legal/public documents, and online materials. The topics and reading materials for later weeks will be discussed and chosen during the quarter, reflecting needs and interests of the class. Students are expected to come to class having read the assigned materials for each class. Students will actively participate in discussions, conduct research, write reports, and make presentations. The students are also expected to develop techniques for faster reading, such as scanning and skimming through in-class readings. As much as possible, we will speak Japanese in the class. Students are highly encouraged to write in Japanese as well, but speaking and writing skills are not the basis for evaluation in the class.
Quizzes: There will be a 10-minute weekly quiz on vocabulary and phrases introduced in the previous class.
Presentations: Each week, students will report on news items of their choice from Asahi Shimbun online, (http://www.asahi.com/) or other sources, distributing copies of the headlines and leads along with translation and notes on key phrases for the class. Exams: There will be a mid-term project and a final project. Each will include research, translation, and presentation components.
Grades: Grade will be based on (1) class participation, 30%, (2) quizzes, 20%, (3) mid term project, 20% and (4) final project, 30%. Students will be evaluated based on their efforts and progress regardless the already acquired skills and abilities.
Student learning goals
General method of instruction
Recommended preparation
Class assignments and grading
