Culture and Literature Coursework

JAPN 4010 - Japanese Literature in Translation

This course introduces modern and premodern Japan through key ideas and social changes that influenced Japanese literature, film, and popular culture. Students explore critical themes such as Westernization, traditional aesthetics, contemporary gender issues, and identity crises using a cross-disciplinary approach from literature, sociology, and history. The course includes a range of texts, including novels, essays, theater, poetry, and films, offering insight into Japan's evolving cultural landscape.

JAPN 4060 - Introduction to Japanese Literature

This course explored key works and themes in Japanese literature, covering both classic and modern texts across genres. Students analyzed the cultural and historical contexts of works like poetry, short stories, and novels. In the second half of the course, we completed a translation project, and I chose to translate The Setting Sun by Osamu Dazai, focusing on its themes of post-war identity and societal change.

Global Media and Culture – Chukyo University

This course examined the influence of media on culture worldwide, focusing on how media shapes perceptions of identity and social norms. Students explored topics like media globalization, digital media's cultural impact, and cross-cultural representation. As part of the final project, we created a documentary, and I produced one on the significance of urban legends in Japan, highlighting their cultural relevance and role in shaping societal values.

Workshop in Intercultural Communication Research – Chukyo University

This course explored cultural differences between Japan and other countries, with a focus on understanding how stereotypes and biases shape communication. Students analyzed how cultural perceptions influence behavior, attitudes, and interactions, both in personal and professional settings. Topics included the impact of cultural assumptions, overcoming stereotypes in cross-cultural exchanges, and recognizing implicit biases. The final project allowed students to apply these concepts by researching and presenting on cultural misunderstandings and their effects on communication across borders.

POSC 3720 - Political Culture of East Asia

This course provides an introduction to the political culture that shapes East Asian countries, focusing on the political subcultures of different nations. Students analyze the mutual influence between politics and culture, exploring how cultural factors shape political practices and vice versa.