Japan

1-credit course: Overseas travel for PSY 224 and JPN 349 students

March 13 - 23, 2014 (SPRING BREAK)

Contact:

Kathie Shiba | Sutton Science Center 107A | 865-981-8270 | Kathie.Shiba@maryvillecollege.edu

Asami Segi | Anderson Hall | 865-981-8224 | Asami.Segi@maryvillecollege.edu

Course Goals:

  • To experience and have a better understanding and appreciation of Japanese culture
  • To explore linkages between the United States and Japan, especially those pertaining to history, religions, and popular culture.
  • To consider how one's own culture impacts the way one understands Japanese culture.
  • To experience new ways to communicate (where English is not the primary language) and reinforce learning of Japanese for Japanese language students

Who can go?

  • This program is designed as an optional component for students taking PSY 224 or JPN 349 in spring 2014, however leaders will consider any student with interest in Japan.
  • There is no language requirement for PSY 224 students.

Travel Study Course Highlights:

Visit Nagasaki to learn about the effects of the atomic bomb on Japan and international trade

Visit educational institutions and interact with Japanese college students

Visit museums, temples and castles

Visit Ghibli Museum, studio of Miyazaki, filmmaker of anime

Visit Eigamura, an operating studio park and movie land where samurai movies are filmed

Travel via Japanese rail

Course Description:

The purpose of this travel study component of the course is for students in JPN 349 and PSY 224 to experience connections between the United States and Japan through study and interactions with Japanese people and culture. Students will explore museums, castles, and temples and will experience travel via rail. Students will learn about historical and contemporary connections regarding topics such as the atomic bomb (and nuclear energy), popular culture (anime, music, technology), and the role of religion. Students will work in teams to develop a basic understanding of a specialty topic (prior to travel), collection of data (during travel), and reflection on learning (post travel). Japanese language students will have the opportunity to use their language skills while in Japan. This travel study component of the course enriches students’ understanding and exploration of cross-cultural psychology or Japanese language.  Pre-travel workshops will prepare the students for travel.

GOAL: Application of course topics

  1. PSY224/JPN349: Learn about a specialty topic (possible topics listed on next page) that can be examined in Japan - researching in a small group with students who are not traveling and developing methods to collect data while in-country. This is a pre-travel project.
  2. PSY224/JPN349: Collect data while in-country, related to specialty topic.
  3. PSY224/JPN349: Upon return to class after spring break, students will meet with their small groups to finalize specialty topic projects and then will report to class, integrating data that was collected while in Japan. This is a post-travel project.
  4. JPN349: Students will pair with PSY224 students and assist with language while in-country.

 GOAL: Experience a new culture

  1. ALL: Students will consider how their own culture impacts the way they understand Japanese culture. This will be achieved through group discussions, journaling, and reflection papers.
  2. ALL: Students will experience situations in which another language (other than English) is being used and they will learn how to interact with others, when English is not the primary language.
  3. ALL: Students will interact with Japanese college students to learn about similarities and differences with similar-aged adults.
    1. We plan to connect with Japanese students who have attended Maryville College and/or with students at a college in Japan.

 GOAL: Comparisons between U.S., Tennessee, and Japan

  1. ALL: Students will have an opportunity to examine linkages between U.S. and Japan.
    (Some examples include: DENSO, MC alumni, and Kansai Gaidai University.)
  2. ALL: Students will reflect on impact of war
    (Some examples: Visit Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum during travel and compare with visit to Oak Ridge Nuclear Museum after travel.)
  3. ALL: Students will examine popular culture of Japan as portrayed in the U.S. and then relate it to realities of portrayal while in Japan (i.e., Manga, fashion, architecture, and film).
  4. ALL:  Students will have opportunities to talk with Shinto and Buddhist monks, the two major religions in Japan, and discuss the impact of religion on culture. Students can compare the impact of religion in Japan and in the U.S.
  5. ALL:  Students will visit the Emperor’s Palace and center of the political parties’ offices in Tokyo to compare the similarities and differences in American and Japanese governments.
  6. ALL:  Students will visit the museums of immigrants in Yokohama and Tokyo to compare the history of Japanese immigration with current immigrant issues in the U.S.

Potential Specialty Topics – Each team will consist of one student from PSY224 and one student from JPN349 (and one student not traveling) per topic – students will have multiple opportunities to connect through the semester.

-          Religion, Gender roles, Education, Business, Family/parenting,  Environment, Nuclear, History connecting U.S. and Japan, Changing role of psychology, Technology, Social classes, Politics

Tentative Itinerary

Credits:

This trip will carry 1 Portfolio credit. You will be enrolled in this credit hour after you are notified of your selection for the course.

Approximate Costs: $3,800
    

The price includes: Roundtrip airfare, railpass & local transportation, housing, field trips, international travel insurance, application fee, and deposit.

Not included: Passport, immunizations, meals (approx $150)  gifts, personal expenses

*Please note that prices are tentative and may fluctuate based on variation in exchange rates, number of participants, price fluctuations in actual airfares and fuel surcharges, or administrative overhead