FRS 001G —
Sec. 001 — (1
unit) — CRN 55873 — W 10:00-10:50am — 104 Sproul
Japanese Culture: Reflection of Nature and Lifelong Learning in
Visual Art
Instructor: Haruko Sakakibara, Department of East Asian Languages and
Cultures, College of Letters and 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: 1⁄4 of
the course grade will be based on regular class participation and engagement in
discussion; 1⁄4 will be based on an oral presentation; 1⁄4 will be
based on 2 essays and 2 assignments; 1⁄4 will be based on the
final paper.
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. She is an active
writer in local Japanese American newspapers and has been the president of the
Northern California Japanese Teacher’s Association since 2003.