Japanese Culture: Reflection of Nature and Lifelong Learning in Visual Art
Instructor: Haruko Sakakibara, Department of East Asian Languages & Cultures, College of Letters & Science
Description: This course will provide a general introduction to Japanese Culture with special emphasis on Japanese visual art forms. The influence of Nature on the Japanese life style and the concept of lifelong learning in visual art forms will be discussed. Class meetings are conducted with video tape viewing and demonstrations of Japanese style flower arrangement, calligraphy writing and origami folding by the instructor followed by discussions. On the practical side, this course would help students increase their interest in learning the Japanese language, culture and history. In addition the concept of “lifelong learning” will be very helpful for students as they seek their identity and purpose for living.
Format: The seminar will meet for 50 minutes a week for 10 weeks. The instructor will discuss basic information about Japanese culture and present videos of related themes along with presentations of the Japanese style flower arrangement and calligraphy writing. Origami paper folding will also be introduced. The concept of “life-long education” will also be discussed in relation to developing students’ attitudes toward studying in college. Students will be asked to give oral presentations (5-10 minutes) on a topic they choose and view other vides as assignments. Grading: Pass/No Pass. ¼ of the course grade will be based on regular class participation and engagement in discussion; ¼ will be based on an oral presentation; ½ will be based on essays and assignments.
About the Instructor: Haruko Sakakibara is a long-time member of the faculty in the Japanese Program in the department of East Asian Languages and Cultures and teaches Japanese language courses. She was born in Tokyo, Japan. Her research interests are phonology and how teaching methodologies become effective for students of different learning styles in a foreign language classroom such as Japanese and English as a Second Language. She has been active in the community with her interests in musical composition, art and education.