2024 Faculty Courses Liberal arts and basic science courses Japanese language and culture courses
Japanese Culture : Multicultural communication
- Academic unit or major
- Japanese language and culture courses
- Instructor(s)
- Reiko Sato
- Class Format
- Exercise (Face-to-face)
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 5-6 Mon
- Class
- -
- Course Code
- LAJ.C102
- Number of credits
- 010
- Course offered
- 2024
- Offered quarter
- 2Q
- Syllabus updated
- Mar 14, 2025
- Language
- Japanese
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
This course is a Japanese culture course for first-year undergraduate foreign students. The objective of this course is to acquire the perspective required to live in harmony with people of different languages and cultures by using the concept of multicultural communication and its methodology. In addition to lectures, students will take part in group work and discussions to acquire both knowledge and experiences, which can be used as communication skills on practical situations.
Course description and aims
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- understand the theory of intercultural contact.consider possible events and problems which could occur in due course of interpersonal interactions.;
- analyze and understand their own communication style and values;
- express their own ideas and opinions in an appropriate way in Japanese society;
- understand different values and harmonize views in order to work cooperatively in a group with multinational members.
Keywords
communication, international student, multiculturalism, diversity, Japanese language, culture
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
Class will start with lecture, followed by group work. Group work will be conducted with small groups of 5~6 people. Students will make a presentation on the discussion outcome. As for group work, active participation such as stepping forward as a group leader is desired . At the end of each class students are expected to complete and turn in a review sheet.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Orientation: Cross-cultural contact and adjustment | Understand culture shock and based on your own experience. |
| Class 2 | Changing Views; Skills for group discussion | Learn about examples of reasonable accommodation in Japanese society and compare with your own country; Analyze your own language and communication skills. |
| Class 3 | Communication and approach in a multicultural environment: How to convey your message to Japanese students | Through case studies on religious and dietary diversity in Japanese society, analyze the nature of communication with Japanese students. |
| Class 4 | Communicative strategies | Consider communicative strategies based on your own experience of intercultural contact |
| Class 5 | Communicate with Guest speaker | Ask questions, discuss, and have a dialogue with guest speaker. |
| Class 6 | Learning strategies; Characteristics of Japanese language | Analyze the characteristics of Japanese language and consider appropriate styles. |
| Class 7 | Workshop and presentation | Prepare for presentation. Learn and practice communication skills. |
Study advice (preparation and review)
To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.
Textbook(s)
Handouts will be given in each class.
Reference books, course materials, etc.
none
Evaluation methods and criteria
Weekly sub-reports(20%), Group work assignment(20%), Presentation(60%)
Related courses
- LAJ.C201 ： Japanese Culture:Japanology
- LAJ.C301 ： Japanese Culture: Language and literature
- LAJ.J101 ： Japanese 1
- LAJ.J102 ： Japanese 2
- LAJ.J103 ： Japanese 3
- LAJ.J104 ： Japanese 4
- LAJ.J201 ： Japanese 5
- LAJ.J202 ： Japanese 6
- LAJ.J203 ： Japanese 7
- LAJ.J204 ： Japanese 8
Prerequisites
First-year undergraduate international students only.