An Introduction to Language and Culture in Japan

Lectures and class discussions in English on linguistic and cultural aspects of the Japanese language to enable students who are new to Japan to more quickly and effectively engage with speakers of Japanese on the ICU campus and beyond. While aimed primarily at students with little prior experience with Japanese, the course may also be of interest to those more advanced speakers of Japanese (including native speakers) who are interested in teaching Japanese as a foreign language. Where possible, students with less knowledge of Japanese will be paired with more fluent speakers of Japanese to allow maximum sharing of knowledge about language and culture in Japan.
 

Introduction to Cultural Studies

This course examines history and development of cultural studies in different social contexts.
 

Language and Society

Introduction to the study of language in social context, including both macro and micro perspectives. Focus on language variation, language in interaction, language and identity, bilingualism, and language policy and planning. Language of instruction differs by year.
 

Theories of Human Communication

This course covers the basic concepts of communication and introduces classical to contemporary theories of communication. The course examines the contribution of communication studies to international studies.
 

Introduction to Interpreting and Translation

What is required of communication through interpreting and translation? What constitutes ¡Èequivalence¡É across different languages and cultures? The course introduces the basic theories and notions shared by interpreting and translation, as well as the unique processes arising from the differences in their media and objectives. It provides a foundation for the understanding and practice of interpretation and translation.
 

Bilingualism and Multilingualism

There are nearly 5000 languages used daily around the world. Geographical and political restructuring, migration, natural disassters are just a few of the factors which cause multilingualism in society. Key questions dealt with are: what does it mean to be bilingual and how does a child or adult become bilingual? This course also surveys bilingualism and bidialectalism in Japan (e.g. Korean, Okinawan, Tagalog, English.)
 

Discourse in Society

Discourse analysis is the analysis of the patterns of the organization of language in continuous stretches above the level of the sentence. This course analyses issues such as the macro-grammar of mealtime conversation, telephone talk, turn-taking, the use of well in conversations, verbal ticks such as ah, nanka, er or yer know. Also discussed are theoretical issues such as how discourse constructs social reality and organizes knowledge.
 

Language and Gender

This course introduces general theories and approaches to the study of language and gender. Students will acquire analytic tools for critically examining connections among language and social practice, and then they will apply these techniques in exploring linguistic data collected in communities of their interests.
 

Language and Social Policy

This course examines language policies in international context, with emphasis on the connections between language and other areas of social policy, including education, employment, and migration.
 

Language in Europe

Historical, cultural, social, and political influences on languages in Europe; survey of languages in Europe, including social and regional varieties; policies and practices for international communication, including approaches to managing multilingualism in state institutions such as education; the role of English; language rights. Language of instruction differs by year.
 

Language in Film and Popular Culture

The purpose of this course is to examine representations of human (and non-human) language as they appear in popular media such as the film, television, cartoons, advertising, and other popular genres. Popular (mis-)conceptions of human language are contrasted with more scientific conceptions of language constructed in linguistics and other disciplines. We will also focus on attitudes about language(s) and their speakers, as reflected in popular culture ('pseudo' languages). The course will pay special attention to film. What do films and film directors say directly or indirectly about language in the world? Reference will be made to films in or about minority languages: Okinawan, zainichi Korean, Ainu, Inuit, Native American.
 

Language in Japan

This course examines various languages spoken in Japan form historical, cultural and sociological perspectives.
 

Language in the United States

This study of the origins, development, and characteristics of English in North America will investigate historical, cultural, and social influences on the language. Also addressed will be regional and social dialects, language policy, and the relationship between English and other languages.
 

Language, Politics and the Media

This course discusses the role of language in a range of international issues such as: language and freedom: language, war, and reporting; apologies; language and the Japanese constitution; Chomsky's philosophy of language and critique of the media.
 

Consecutive Interpreting

The course trains students in practical consecutive interpretation skills. It also examines issues in communicating effectively in international meetings. By preparing and researching for interpretation assignments and implementing international conferences, students will also learn how an effective interpreting communication can be realized by the collaboration of those interpreting, interpreted, and managing an interpreted conference. Prerequisite: INTERPRETING THEORY AND PRACTICE.
 

Interpreting Theory and Practice

The nature and process of interpreting will be examined from a communication studies perspective. Basic interpreting theories and a variety of interpreting types and modes will be introduced. Students will experience various training methods and practice both consecutive and simultaneous interpreting. The course also trains students in promptly presenting information and one¡Çs understanding of current issues both in Japanese and English.
 

Public Communication

The course trains students in public speaking to become effective communicators, as speaker, listener or interpreter. The theory of rhetorical communication is applied to the presentation of self and ideas for a specific purpose. Critical thinking processes are emphasized in preparing, making and critiquing presentations.
 

Simultaneous Interpreting

The course trains students in basic simultaneous interpreting capabilities, through exercises and actual practices. Based on a cognitive resource management model, students will learn by experience "what goes on in the mind of simultaneous interpreters" and explores effective tactics to cope with performance difficulties. Students will also experience simultaneous interpreting in a real conference setup. Prerequisite: INTERPRETING THEORY AND PRACTICE.
 

Translation at Work

The course examines a variety of translation types and functions found in our society. Application and practice of translation in our daily life, including workplaces and public spaces, will be studied. Students will also be engaged in translation projects (mainly from Japanese into English).
 

Media Translation

In the rapidly globalizing world, a growing number of media play an increasingly important role in creating, expressing and disseminating culture. The course focuses in the new functions translation plays for the diverse media types. Students will study and practice the translation approaches that best suite the nature of each media type.
 

Translation Theory and Practice

The nature and process of translation will be examined. Basic theories and methods of translation will be introduced to allow better understanding of how meaning is communicated.
 

Cultural Studies I

This course examines the circle of production, representation and consumption of various media texts (newspaper, TV programs, magazines, etc.), in which all processes are intertwined. Students study through concrete media texts how they are produced under the constraints of political economy and media organization; how power relations and cultural differences are represented; and how they are consumed by audiences.
 

Cultural Studies II

This course critically examines transnational flows of image and information promoted by media globalization. Main issues are cultural homogenization, hybridization, global-local nexus, cultural imperialism and export of Japanese popular culture.
 

Documentary Film Making

Since we tend to see ourselves as the audience/consumers vis-a-vis the media, the production side¡Çs viewpoints are often ignored. In this course students are required to take the roles of producer, scriptwriter, director and/or cameraman. While making a documentary film, students are expected to (1) develop fundamental skills to examine the world around them, (2) express their feelings and opinions through the film and (3) find a way to communicate with the audience.
 

Human Rights and Media

This course critically examines media's accuntability regarding human rights and pablic access to information.
 

Introduction to Media Studies

While learning from the most recent studies on the media, this course critically examines how the media influences our daily lives. Media literacy, in its broadest sense, will be the topic of discussion.
 

Media and Multicultural Society

This course critically introduces various issues of media and journalism in light of the development of globalization and multicultural situations.
 

Contemporary Praxes on Communication Study I

This course will study various phenomena related to communication in Japan. The focus involves description of communicative phenomena in changing society and a scrutiny of those phenomena.
 

Contemporary Praxes on Communication Study II

The process of interpersonal communication as a humanistic and social scientific subject of study. Within this context, special attention is given to inter-personal communication using Oriental perspectives.
(Offered Alternate Years)

Intercultural Communication

Introduction to intercultural communication. This course reviews core theories and research in intercultural communication and examines various issues that arise when encountering different others. In the process, students will gain understanding of the opportunities and challenges involved in intercultural communication.
 

Persuasion and Language

This course explores what it is to be persuasive in various cultural contexts and how culture affects styles of negotiation. Students then apply their new awareness to the development of a persuasive speech and to participation in a simulated negotiation.
 

Communication Technology and Society

By closely examining the adoption and use of new and old communication technologies, students develop a capability for analyzing the role of communication technologies in our society.
 

Language and History

This course examines the "meeting" of languages from the historical perspective.
 

Language Variation

This course will present the fundamentals of examining linguistic variation between and within speech communities in Japan. It will consider regional, social and stylistic differences in the use of language. Students will acquire methods of data collection, analysis and interpretation and engage in field projects by using these techniques.
 

Literacy, Society and Development

Reading and writing are foundations of organized society. This course involves a linguistic comparison of different writing systems around the world, the role of literacy in national and local development and gender issues in literacy around the world.
 

Advanced Conference Interpreting

The course trains students in advanced interpretation skills. Students will develop skills required in actual interpreting scenes, both consecutive and simultaneous, as well as gain understanding in issues of quality perception and professional ethics. Suited for those pursuing a career in interpreting. Prerequisites: SIMULTANEOUS INTERPRETING, CONSECUTIVE INTERPRETING, or approval of instructor.
 

Cultural Studies III

This course critially examines various aspects of Tokyo: especially the flows of people, capital, image and information prompted by globalization.
 

Communication in Global Society

New Communication technologies have enabled faster and wider communications across geographic borders. This course examines the role of communication technologies in global society by reviewing theories and analyzing current global events.
 

Research Methods in Communication

This course will familiarize communication majors with the quantitative and qualitative research methodologies used in communication studies. Prerequisite: THEORIES OF HUMAN COMMUNICATION.
 

Advanced Studies in Communication I

Special Studies in selected areas of communication for students who have completed introductory courses.
 

Advanced Studies in Communication II

Special studies in selected areas of communication for students who have completed introductory courses.
 

Advanced Studies in Interpreting and Mediated Communication

The course examines the unique issues associated with interpreting and other forms of mediated communication, through readings and discussion of books and articles on the topic.
 

Advanced Studies in Media Studies

While examining the current status of the media, each student is to choose his/her own research topic and develop appropriate methodologies.
 

Advanced Studies in Translation

The course studies the notable theories and new developments in translation studies, as well as their applications in society.
 

Mass Media Law

This course deals with the mass media law and the information law related legislations and case law studies by inquiring the following topics: state secrets and freedom of reporting, individual information protection law, human rights protection bill, criminal reporting and press ombudsperson, freedom of information act, freedom of broadcasting, internet law, defamation and right to personality.
(Offered Alternate Years)

Fieldwork in Language and Education

Students learn to analyze an unknown language through hands-on experience with a native speaker. This is not a lecture course. Techniques of language elicitation and analysis are learned through direct practice in the classroom. The course is followed by an optional field-trip. This is a unique experience in language contact and applied language learning.
 

Senior Thesis

Senior students, under the guidance of an advisor, will select a subject related to their major and prepare a senior thesis. The final product should represent the efforts of one year of sustained and rigorous thinking, research, and writing. Required of all students in their senior year.