Community and Everyday Life in Japan
Japan -- Kyoto
June 29 -- July 27, 2008
Course Information
This Program carries a total of 8 units. Enrolled students must take both courses listed. Auditing is not an option.
- Community and Regional Development 153A (4 units)
International Community Development: Asia
Prerequisite: Any two courses from among Community Studies, Comparative Culture, Ethnic Studies or Social Science. Examination and analysis of community development efforts in Japan and the impact of global forces in different settings. Alternative strategies with emphasis on self-reliance and locally controlled development. Course is based in Kyoto, Japan, and includes field trips.
GE credit: Social Science, Diversity
- Community and Regional Development 198 (4 units)
Directed Group Study
GE credit: None
Course Requirements
Program Schedule
Class meets for 2 hours in the morning. You will have the afternoon free to work in your projects, visit community groups, etc. During week one, you will be spending a considerable amount of time making your first contacts with community groups.
Group Projects
Projects will be assigned according to the student's interest. Projects will be presented to the class in a poster session.
Some previous projects from the socio-economic spectrum were:
- Grassroots movements: Who starts the movements and why?
- Japanese caste system: How does the caste system affect normal social interactions?
- Homelessness: Does Japan have homeless, where do they stay, are there services for the homeless?
- LGBT: What is the LGBT community?
- Minorities: Who are the minorities, is there discrimination, how is discrimination dealt with from the perspective of the discriminator and discriminated?
Some previous projects from the cultural spectrum were:
- Rail road system: How does the system work in Japan?
- Information technology: How ubiquitous is internet access at home or in society?
- Souvenirs: What do souvenirs say about a community?
- Kites: Where do people go for kite flying, what does it say about the community that has best kite flying in Japan?
Task Teams
As a participant in the program, you will be assigned to at least one task team. The teams will be responsible for one of many tasks. Some possible task teams are (but not limited to):
- Photo gallery team: Create a photo gallery of all program participants and tutors, so that everyone can recognize each other.
- Liason team: To help eliminate social gaffs. Team members will work with students and tutors to help with understanding the differences between American and Japanese cultures.
- Tatami room team: The Tatami room is the common room in the dorms, so it can get really messy at times. Persons on the Tatami room team will be responsible for establishing the rules for order in the room.
- Dormitory team: This team is responsible for developing rules for group living.
Required Texts
Textbooks
Ordering / Bookstore Information
You can purchase your books from the UC Davis MU Bookstore or another bookseller online. If you are mail-ordering your books, make sure to order them from the bookstore by June 1, ensuring you get them before you depart. You cannot get books sent to your address abroad. Instructions on how to order books from the bookstore are located at https://bookstore.ucdavis.edu/textbooks/.
Course Reader
The course will use a course reader. The cost is included in the program cost. All participants will receive their course readers with their orientation materials.
Travel Guide
Summer Abroad is supplying a copy of a Lonely Planet travel guide. Participants will get their guidebooks at the May 17th orientation. If you are unable to attend the orientation (non-Davis students), we will mail your guidebook with the orientation materials.
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