Kyoto Consortium for Japanese Studies
Elective Course Syllabus (Subject to Change)
1. Introductory Informationooooooooooo

Course title: Becoming a world citizen through Japanese language: Projectbased course for intermediate Japanese ⽇本語で学ぶ世界：
中級⽇本語プロジェクトコース
Term taught: Fall 2024
Class days/times: Tuesdays & Thursdays 1:10-2:40PMClassroom location: Fusokan F212
Course format: Discussion- and activity-based
Number of points for the course: 4 points
Instructor name: NISHIMATA (FUKAI) Miyuki ⻄俣 (深井) 美由紀
Email address: mf2249@columbia.edu
Office location: Fusokan F203
Days/times of weekly office hours: By appointment
Prerequisites: Intermediate level; equivalent to KCJS A and B Classes.
***All students must obtain instructor’s permission to take thiscourse.

2. Course Description
We live in a complex world in which we constantly face difficult problems. As world
citizens, we have a shared responsibility to strive to make our world better. In thiscourse, we will discuss and examine several of the following among a variety of
たぶんかきょうせい

contemporary social issues: multiculturalism/multicultural symbiosis (多⽂化共⽣),
たようせいけいざいかくさ

かんきょう

diversity (多様性), economic inequality (経済格差), environment ( 環 境 ), education
きょういく

いみん

しけん

こうきょうせい( 教 育 ), immigration (移⺠), private rights and public welfare (私権と公 共 性 ).
Students will also plan and conduct a workshop that focuses on a specific social issueof their choice. All activities will be conducted in Japanese.
The purpose of this course is to integrate intermediate-level Japanese grammar andvocabulary into practical context by going beyond the classroom and textbook tostudy contemporary social problems in Japanese language and cultural context.
3. Student Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, students should:• have wider and deeper knowledge of current social problems in Japan and theworld;• have examined and analyzed social issues critically in Japan and the world;• develop ability to gather, analyze, and interpret data in Japanese language;• develop Japanese language skills to address social issues in Japan and the world
as well as to communicate their opinions to others.
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4. Required and Recommended Texts
All materials will be provided by the instructor.
They include, but not limited to, statistical data from the governments, research
institutes, and various organizations, excerpts from history textbooks, and videos.
Some materials are provided in English, but you will be required to discuss them inJapanese (i.e., input in English and output in Japanese).
5. Course Requirements
Preparation & class participation: 30%
This course is discussion- and activity-based. In other words, students areexpected to interact and negotiate meanings in Japanese regarding the topic ofeach meeting through pair, group, and whole-class discussions. To do so,students are required to complete specific assignments (e.g., a questionnaire toreflect their own experiences, collect data through the Internet/library searchetc. IN ENGLISH AND IN JAPANESE TO THE BEST OF THEIR ABILITY related to thetopic of each meeting; to consider discussion questions) and to participate
vigorously in class discussions.
4 points – Comes to class prepared; Contributes to discussions with ample verbal
participation and attentive listening to others.
3 points – Comes to class mostly prepared; Contribute to discussions withsufficient verbal participation and attentive listening to others.
2 points – Comes to class with minimal preparation; Mostly fails to contribute todiscussions with minimal verbal participation and attentive listening toothers.
1 point – Comes to class without any preparation: Fails or refuses to contributeto discussions.
Quizzes: 10%
Students will take quizzes on vocabulary and grammar/expressions introduced
throughout the semester. These vocabulary and grammar/expressions arenecessary to discuss the topics.
Reflection essays: 30%
Students will be required to write a 1-2-page, double-spaced reflection essay inJapanese on each topic discussed in this course approximately every-other week.
Students are allowed to use translation tools such as Google Translate, as long as
they follow the rules below.
1) No more than 50% should be a product of translation tools.
2) List which translation tools you have used.
3) Specify the texts that are translated by the tools. To do so, provide both
non-Japanese (original) texts and their translated version. If your original
texts are not in English, please provide them (i.e., you must put the texts inthree languages: non-English, English, and Japanese).
4) Identify what you can write in Japanese with help of translation tools.
Using words/expressions you have learned from the translated texts,
create at least one example sentence per word/expression.
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If students do not follow the above rules, and the instructor discovers use oftranslation tools, it is reported as an academic misconduct. Read the “AcademicIntegrity” and “Plagiarism” sections under “7. Course Policies” to learn about
academic misconducts.
Each reflection essay will be graded based on (1) depth of ideas, (2) organizationand coherence, (3) linguistic accuracy, fluency, and complexity. If students usetranslation tools, examples sentences (read #3 above) will be graded.
Workshop & self- and peer-evaluation: 30%
Students will be required to plan and conduct a 75-minuite interactive workshop
in Japanese on a social issue of their choosing. As a workshop leader, students
are expected to study a specific social issue (e.g., its background, effect on oursociety, etc.), design a workshop to raise awareness about the issue, encourage
discussions about the issue, and stimulate their thoughts through interactive
activities that require audience participation (i.e., a lecture-style workshop is
NOT allowed).
This workshop will be done with a partner. Self- and peer-evaluation will be
conducted after the workshop, which will be part of the final grade. The
evaluation criteria will be determined later in class.
Tasks for the workshop will include writing a proposal, preparing a plan andmaterials, and executing the workshop. Self-evaluation will include a 2-page,
double-spaced reflection essay in Japanese.
Students will have the opportunity to seek assistance and improve their performancein class and assignments if necessary.
Grading Scale100 – 94.0=A, 93.9 – 90.0=A-, 89.9 – 87.0=B+, 82.9 – 80.0=B-, 86.9 – 83.0=B,
79.7 – 77.0=C+, 76.9 – 73.0=C, 72.9 – 70.0=C-, 69.9 – 67.0=D+, 66.9 – 63.0=D,
62.9 – 60.0=D-, 59.9 – =F3

6. A detailed schedule of the semester (subject to change)
Week Topic1
9/3(T)
Course Orientation
9/5(R)“Language and I”

In-class Activity
Introduction to the course
Practice discussions in Japanese
Discuss what kinds of languages
we have been surroundedby/we have observed

29/10(T)
Linguistic
LandscapeShare and analyze samples ingroups
Learn and practice expressions
used in presentation

9/12(R)
Linguistic
Landscape9/17(T)
Linguistic
Landscape9/19(R)“Expenses and I”

QuizPractice the presentation
Present the analysis to class
Discuss the findings and how
languages used around us
reflects our world
Share results of survey(Worksheet 2)
Analyze spending habits of class
Learn and practice how toexplain graphs

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Assignments

Worksheet 1 “Languageand I”
Learn vocabulary andexpressions on theworksheet
By 3PM on 9/9(M)Collect samples of“languages in Kyoto”• Research what kindof languages areused in signs, shop,stations, schools, etc.
in Kyoto.
• Take photos of atleast 5 separatesamples• Paste each photo oneach page in Google
Presentation andtype the information
about it (date, place,and type)--------------------------------Learn vocabulary andexpressions used in thepresentation
Worksheet for sample
analysis
Worksheet 2 “Expensesand I” (survey)
Reflection essay 1:
Linguistic landscapeComplete the vocab. list& read expressions on
the worksheetWeek Topic49/24(T)Consumer society

9/26(R)
Consumer society5

10/1(T)“Immigration/Globalmobility and I”
10/3(R)
Immigrants
Multicultural society
10/5(Sat.)
Immigrants
Multicultural society

In-class Activity
With Japanese students, shareand discuss simulations
Explain and analyze data
related to household spendingin Japan (data provided bynewspapers, ⽇本政府 etc.)
Discuss the findings
Quiz
Explain and analyze data
related to consumption andenvironment (data providedby JICA, Kyoto City, etc.)
Discuss the findings & the video
Share knowledge andexperience withimmigration/global mobility
Learn and practice vocabulary
for multicultural society
Explain and analyze data
related to global mobility(data provided by NHK, ⽇本
政府 , US Census, etc.)<Mandatory>
Field trip to Utoro Peace
Memorial Museum (ウトロAssignments
Worksheet (simulationof household
expenses)

Worksheet for thevideo (星新⼀「おーい、でてこーい」)Worksheet 3“Immigration and I”
Reflection essay 2:
Consumer society

Watch a shortmovie/news segments(NHK & France 1) on“aliens” in Japan

へ い わ きねんかん

610/22(T)

平和祈念館)
Quiz
Explain and analyze data
related to immigration in theU.S.
Compare immigration in Japanand the U.S.
With Japanese students,
discuss issues regarding
immigrants in Japan and theU.S.
No class

10/24(R)
Orientation forworkshop

Overview of workshop
Brainstorm ideas
Plan a workshop

10/8(T)
Immigrants
Multicultural society

10/10(R)Immigrants
Multicultural society
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Research U.S.
immigration-related
data and prepare toexplain them (data innon-Japanese
languages is OK)
Worksheet 3 “History
education and I”

Reflection essay 3:
Multicultural societyWeek Topic
810/29(T)“Historyeducation and I”

In-class Activity
Share knowledge and experiencesin history education (K-12 &college)

10/31(R)Historytextbooks

Read sample excerpts from Japan’s
middle-school history textbooks Xand Y in pairs/groups
Analyze how X and Y are
similar/different in pairs/groups<Optional>
Self-guided field trip to Kyoto
Museum for World Peace,

11/1(F)-11/6(W)Assignments
Workshop proposal*Students will meetwith the instructor for
consultation outsideclass during Week 9.
Vocabulary list of X andY (look up readings andmeanings of words onthe list)

りつめいかん

Ritsumeikan University (⽴命館
だいがくこくさい へ い わ

911/5(T)History
textbooks
11/7(R)
History
textbooks

10

11/12(T)Preparation forworkshop
11/14(R)“Election and I”

11

11/19(T)Election

11/21(R)Election⼤学国際平和ミュージアム)*Transportation & admission fees
(Y900) will be reimbursed with areceipt.
QuizAnalyze how X and Y are
similar/different in pairs
Present the findings to class
With Japanese students:
Discuss the findings of all groups;
Discuss issues in history
education
Plan a workshop (goals, tasks,assignments, etc.)
Prepare materials (handouts,presentation slides, etc.)
Share knowledge and experienceswith electionLearn and practice vocabulary forelection
Quiz
With Japanese students:
Discuss what elections mean toour society;
Try voting advice applications
With Japanese students, discuss
topics that you think areparticularly important for theupcoming election
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Worksheet for textbook
analysis
Worksheet 5 “Electionand I”
Reflection essay 4:
History education andtextbooks
Workshop plan andmaterials*Students will meetwith the instructor for
consultation outsideclass during Week 11.

Research support foryour opinions

Week Topic
12
11/26(T)Preparation forworkshop
11/28(R)Workshop13
12/3(T)
Workshop
12/5(R)
Workshop1412/12(T)2:55PM

In-class Activity
Rehearse workshop

Assignments
Reflection essay 5:
Election

Student-led workshop
Student-led workshop
Student-led workshop
Absolute deadline forself-evaluation ofworkshop

7. Course Policies
General1) In the event of illness or other absence, please notify the instructor as soon as
possible by telephone or e-mail.
2) If you are a student with a disability and have a Disability Services-certified‘Accommodation Letter’ from your home institution, please send me this letter
before the first day of class to confirm your accommodation needs. If you believethat you might have a disability that requires accommodation and do not have anaccommodations letter, you should contact the Center for Undergraduate Global
Engagement at Columbia University (uge@columbia.edu).
3) Students are expected to abide by the “Terms of Participation” they signed during
the admissions process for KCJS, as well as the code of Academic Conduct outlinedin Columbia University’s General Handbook and your KCJS Handbook.
(http://www.college.columbia.edu/ccschonorcode)
Read the “Academic Integrity” and “Plagiarism” sections under “7. Course Policies”
to learn about academic misconducts.
4) Please be aware that faculty and staff can only answer email during business hours,
except in cases of emergency.
Preparation & Class Participation
1) Attendance is mandatory. NO make-up classes will be given.
2) Absences without prior notification to your instructor will be counted as zero.
3) Cumulative absences may negatively affect your attendance/participation grade.
4) Prepare fully before class and participate in in-class activities actively. Your
participation and performance will be evaluated as “Preparation & classparticipation” which accounts for 30% of your final grade.
Consult your instructor at any time if you have concerns about your attendance/
participation grade.
Quizzes
1) If you are not present when the quiz is distributed, you will not be allowed to takethe quiz.
2) You will not be allowed to make up or reschedule quizzes under any circumstances.
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Homework
1) All assignments must be handed in on time, i.e. at the beginning of the class.
2) Work will be considered as late submission if it is turned in after the class on theassigned day, and 50% will be deducted from the grade.
3) Consult your instructor to submit outstanding homework assigned during yourabsence.
4) All written homework must be done INDIVIDUALLY or otherwise instructed by yourinstructor. If it is discovered that a student has done any action against theColumbia University's Honor Code, they will be penalized accordingly.
http://www.college.columbia.edu/ccschonorcode5) You may be required to make self-corrections on homework assignments for abetter grade. Due dates will be set by the instructor.
Academic Integrity
As members of an academic community, each one of us bears the responsibility toparticipate in scholarly discourse and research in a manner characterized by intellectualhonesty and scholarly integrity. Collaborative scholarship requires the study of other
scholars' work, the free discussion of such work, and the explicit acknowledgement of
those ideas in any work that inform our own.
This exchange of ideas relies upon a mutual trust that sources, opinions, facts, andinsights will be properly noted and carefully credited. In practical terms, this means
that, as students, all work submitted in this course, whether in draft or final form, mustbe your own. You must be responsible for the full citations of others' ideas in all of yourresearch papers and projects; you must be scrupulously honest when taking yourexaminations; you must always submit your own work and not that of another student,
scholar, or internet agent. Any breach of this intellectual responsibility is a breach offaith with the rest of our academic community. It undermines our shared intellectual
culture, and it cannot be tolerated.
The use of ChatGPT or any other AI tools for course assignments (with the exception of
artificial neural networks like DeepL for machine translations, duly cited as instructed inpages 2-3) is tantamount to plagiarism. Any cases of plagiarism or cheating will bereported to Columbia Undergraduate Global Engagement and the academic advisor atyour home institution and are subject to the code of academic conduct there. In suchcases, your final grade will be determined by your home institution and not by KCJS.
Plagiarism
The use of words, phrases, or ideas that do not belong to the student, without properly
citing or acknowledging the source, is prohibited whether in draft or final form. This
may include, but is not limited to, copying computer code for the purposes ofcompleting assignments for submission.
To avoid committing plagiarism, cite all sources properly.

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