JAPN 301_SL - Advanced Japanese Service Learning
Description: This course gives students opportunity to deepen their knowledge of Japanese language and culture through their community service and to develop communication skills through discussions, reflection essays and presentations. Taught in Japanese. (Credit/ No Credit Available)
Units: 4
Prerequisites, Corequisites, and Registration Restrictions:[Prereq: (Junior OR Senior Standing) AND (JAPN 202 OR JAPN 300)]
~.:Course Reflective Narratives:.~
This class was one of the most fun and knowledge expanding experiences I have be privileged to take. I not only learned about diversity comparisons, perspectives and learning how to assist one another when there is difficulty in understanding each other's cultures and thinking; I had learned about the similarities among us and how much assumption there is on each other's cultures.
Throughout this class, American students were paired with Japanese students when it came to in-class discussions, presentations and teaching a foreign culture to a new school environment that involved 2nd to 6th grade students. This was so much fun. For example, when it came to being assigned to our designated schools, I was paired with a group of intelligent, unique, and very enjoyable classmates to teach the Japanese language. We bonded numerous times when it came to driving to our destination, buying lunch, volunteering for the Big Sur Marathon on November 16th-17th, 2013, and becoming role models to children who were so interested into the new culture we were teach them. I feel that when we were assigned to the teaching the children, the pressure was on most of us because the realization of becoming that student's role model, they were going to learn or even imitate our very actions and teachings. It is very important to understand who we are and how we act in society for every action and decision made in regards to our life will affect everyone's life.
When it came to the Big Sur Marathon, My group and I were there on both days and it was so much fun. We volunteered in assisting with the recycling throughout the convention.
I feel the most important moments I will treasure is the new experiences and knowledge I gained from this class and the individuals I was so happy and honored to meet in my life. In class, I learned more about the Japanese culture and furthered my skills in the Japanese Language, I made friendships among my classmates and at the same time gained so much respect for them. I gained knowledge for in class material and through the preparing presentations, group discussions/reflections and my final paper, I feel that my perspective upon the world has changed from some assumptions that were proven wrong and some that were confirmed.
The most difficult moments for me to get over were the presentations in front of class. I still feel very unsure of myself when it comes to using my skills and knowledge when speaking in Japanese. Even when I am with fellow Japanese students or I have practiced over and over my script in the targeted language, I freeze inside thinking I am going to fail or mess up of even insult someone. I have no problem speaking in front of people, only when it is in a language I have not mastered yet...I may have learned about the people who reside and live day to day within a new culture to me, yet like home to those, I have yet to gain the confidence to speak to them in their language. I plan to further connect and make new pathways to further my education in mastering my skills and knowledge within this language and hopefully I be able to gain to speak in the Japanese language without feeling incompetent.
Evidence of Material within Class:
Reflections: Stereotypes
Final Presentation PPT
Description: This course gives students opportunity to deepen their knowledge of Japanese language and culture through their community service and to develop communication skills through discussions, reflection essays and presentations. Taught in Japanese. (Credit/ No Credit Available)
Units: 4
Prerequisites, Corequisites, and Registration Restrictions:[Prereq: (Junior OR Senior Standing) AND (JAPN 202 OR JAPN 300)]
~.:Course Reflective Narratives:.~
This class was one of the most fun and knowledge expanding experiences I have be privileged to take. I not only learned about diversity comparisons, perspectives and learning how to assist one another when there is difficulty in understanding each other's cultures and thinking; I had learned about the similarities among us and how much assumption there is on each other's cultures.
Throughout this class, American students were paired with Japanese students when it came to in-class discussions, presentations and teaching a foreign culture to a new school environment that involved 2nd to 6th grade students. This was so much fun. For example, when it came to being assigned to our designated schools, I was paired with a group of intelligent, unique, and very enjoyable classmates to teach the Japanese language. We bonded numerous times when it came to driving to our destination, buying lunch, volunteering for the Big Sur Marathon on November 16th-17th, 2013, and becoming role models to children who were so interested into the new culture we were teach them. I feel that when we were assigned to the teaching the children, the pressure was on most of us because the realization of becoming that student's role model, they were going to learn or even imitate our very actions and teachings. It is very important to understand who we are and how we act in society for every action and decision made in regards to our life will affect everyone's life.
When it came to the Big Sur Marathon, My group and I were there on both days and it was so much fun. We volunteered in assisting with the recycling throughout the convention.
I feel the most important moments I will treasure is the new experiences and knowledge I gained from this class and the individuals I was so happy and honored to meet in my life. In class, I learned more about the Japanese culture and furthered my skills in the Japanese Language, I made friendships among my classmates and at the same time gained so much respect for them. I gained knowledge for in class material and through the preparing presentations, group discussions/reflections and my final paper, I feel that my perspective upon the world has changed from some assumptions that were proven wrong and some that were confirmed.
The most difficult moments for me to get over were the presentations in front of class. I still feel very unsure of myself when it comes to using my skills and knowledge when speaking in Japanese. Even when I am with fellow Japanese students or I have practiced over and over my script in the targeted language, I freeze inside thinking I am going to fail or mess up of even insult someone. I have no problem speaking in front of people, only when it is in a language I have not mastered yet...I may have learned about the people who reside and live day to day within a new culture to me, yet like home to those, I have yet to gain the confidence to speak to them in their language. I plan to further connect and make new pathways to further my education in mastering my skills and knowledge within this language and hopefully I be able to gain to speak in the Japanese language without feeling incompetent.
Evidence of Material within Class:
Reflections: Stereotypes
Final Presentation PPT