Helen Ballhatchet 特別上級 Seminar (Bridging Course)
Globalization and Japanese Popular Culture (Spring 2015)

Please note:
If you wish to take this course, you must attend the 特別上級 selection meetings at the beginning of April.


Outline

1. What is the 'Bridging Course'?
This course is designed for students who have spent an extended period in an English-speaking environment at elementary school level, or a short period at junior-high/high-school level. If this is your background, you probably have good everyday aural/oral skills, but need more practice in academic English, particularly with regard to vocabulary development and formal writing. In other words, you probably do not need to work on the basic speaking skills introduced in Study Skills, but you do not feel confident about joining a normal 特別上級 seminar. There may also be gaps in your knowledge of basic grammar, and your understanding of the differences between spoken and written English. You should at least apply for the Bridging Course since it is designed to cater for your special needs.

2. Why is the theme of the course "Globalization and Japanese Popular Culture"?
I have chosen this topic for three main reasons. First, I hope that it will give you an opportunity to link and reflect about your experiences within and outside Japan. Second, most of you probably have an interest in, and knowledge of, aspects of Japanese popular culture. This will give you opinions and evidence that you can use in the class. Third, globalization is an important issue within economics. It will undoubtely figure in other courses that you will take at Keio.

3. What will we do in class?
Since this is the first time that I have covered this particular topic at Bridging Course level, I will really welcome input from students this year regarding the organization of the class. However, class time will be probably be spent on discussions of the assigned readings and issues related to them; study of the techniques of academic writing, reading and presentation; and student forums (presentations by a series of speakers with question and answer sessions and discussions of the issues raised). Most reading and writing will be done as homework. The atmosphere of the class will be as relaxed and supportive as possible, with peer evaluation playing an important role. However, please note that I am strict about absences, lateness and preparing for classes. You will not be recorded as present for a class unless you have prepared for it and actually participate.

4.What sort of material will we read?
The book has been written for use in high-schools and colleges. I chose it because of the clear way in which the material is presented, and because of the relatively low price. There will also be supplementary material, some of which may be of a slightly higher standard. If you have difficulties in understanding the content, you are welcome to do some reading of your own in Japanese.

5. What will I achieve?
You will improve your ability to use English in ways appropriate for a university student, so that you can go on to a normal Advanced Level seminar, either in the fall or in your second year. You will acquire skills to enable you to read and write extensively, to give presentations, and to participate in discussions and debates. You will also be given the opportunity to improve your grammatical accuracy and your knowledge of both active and passive vocabulary.

6. What have past students got to say about this course?
We will be dealing with a new topic this year. In class evaluation sheets up till now, students have usually written that they enjoyed the class and would recommend it to other students, as long as they do not mind doing a lot of homework!

View the timetable for 2015.
View the guidelines.