2. MLO 2: Culture
2.1. Students develop a comprehensive understanding, appreciation and knowledge of Japanese culture: perspectives (ideas, beliefs, attitudes, values, philosophies), practices (patterns of social interactions) and products (both tangible and intangible, for example, art, history, literature, music).
2.2. Students develop analytical and critical thinking in areas, such as how Japan’s cultural background influences modern Japanese life, how to compare their own culture with the Japanese culture, or how Japanese culture relates to other world cultures in an age of global inter-relatedness.
2.2. Students develop analytical and critical thinking in areas, such as how Japan’s cultural background influences modern Japanese life, how to compare their own culture with the Japanese culture, or how Japanese culture relates to other world cultures in an age of global inter-relatedness.
MLO Reflective Narrative
MLO 2 has enabled me to expand my knowledge of Japanese culture. While knowing that the culture is very different compared to western culture, I still learned a lot in each course I've taken. For example for MLO 2.1, in JAPN 215, I learned various things about the history of Japan as a beginnger course. I specifically recall learning about the term "ukiyo-e", and the reason this course stuck out to me the most was that I've seen a lot of famous wood block prints, but never knew that's what they were. I was under the assumption previously that they were hand drawn pieces of work. I also wrote a paper about various influences unique to Japan.
As for MLO 2.2, JAPN 311: Social Issues in Japan expanded my awareness to various social problems Japan faces today. We discussed various topics such as gender inequality, the oppressed minorities, as well as the problems surrounding Okinawa. I always understood that all countries have their problems, and mine was limited to very niche problems such as the problems surrounding salarymen and people dying from over working. However this course showed me that there are a lot more problems that I had zero awareness to especially the problems surrounding Okinawa. I did my final paper on the work culture and declining birth rates as they both go hand in hand with women choosing work over having children due to the inequality between men and women. Another course, JAPN 395, was also another memorable course that focused on problems surrounding SDG's (Sustainable Development Goals) and ways to help reach those goals. For my final presentation, I did collaborative work to show a possible way in preventing food loss.
As for MLO 2.2, JAPN 311: Social Issues in Japan expanded my awareness to various social problems Japan faces today. We discussed various topics such as gender inequality, the oppressed minorities, as well as the problems surrounding Okinawa. I always understood that all countries have their problems, and mine was limited to very niche problems such as the problems surrounding salarymen and people dying from over working. However this course showed me that there are a lot more problems that I had zero awareness to especially the problems surrounding Okinawa. I did my final paper on the work culture and declining birth rates as they both go hand in hand with women choosing work over having children due to the inequality between men and women. Another course, JAPN 395, was also another memorable course that focused on problems surrounding SDG's (Sustainable Development Goals) and ways to help reach those goals. For my final presentation, I did collaborative work to show a possible way in preventing food loss.