MCCCD Program Description

Traditional and Modern Japanese Culture

Course: JPH245

First Term: 2022 Fall

Lecture 3.0 Credit(s) 3.0 Period(s) 3.0 Load
Subject Type: Academic
Load Formula: S- Standard

Description: Survey of traditional and modern Japanese culture in context. Intellectual, spiritual, and artistic traditions of Japan will be examined with an eye on their popular-culture manifestations. The course, conducted in English, will consist of lectures, discussions, as well as oral and written reports.

MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Compare and contrast contemporary society in Japan and the US, based on both indigenous and shared history. (I) 2. Evaluate social and religious backgrounds that underpin both traditional and modern cultures. (I, II, V) 3. Analyze Japanese traditional culinary arts and wellness practices. (I, III) 4. Analyze Japanese traditional visual, performative, and musical arts. (III) 5. Analyze Japanese modern pop culture along with its pre-modern precedents. (III, IV, V)
MCCCD Official Course Competencies must be coordinated with the content outline so that each major point in the outline serves one or more competencies. MCCCD faculty retains authority in determining the pedagogical approach, methodology, content sequencing, and assessment metrics for student work. Please see individual course syllabi for additional information, including specific course requirements.

MCCCD Official Course Outline
I. Japanese history and society A. Nara through the Edo periods B. Meiji period, Taisho period C. Showa period, Heisei period, Reiwa period D. The Japanese family E. Japanese school and work culture F. Sports culture in Japan G. The culture of religion in Japan II. Lived religion in Japan A. Shinto B. Buddhism C. Confucianism D. Folk traditions E. New religions III. Traditional Japanese culture A. Traditional music B. Traditional theater C. Tea ceremony D. Samurai, warrior culture, and martial arts E. Traditional culinary arts F. Wellness practices and traditional medicine IV. Japanese literary traditions A. Japanese founding myths B. Japanese poetry C. Japanese tales D. Origin of manga E. Modern and current literature V. Japanese modern cultures A. Popular music B. Manga and anime C. Modern cinema

MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: November 23, 2021

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.