Japan

The Japanese post-war political system is somewhat unique and difficult to explain. Between 1955 and 2009, one political party was in power (with only one brief interruption). On the other hand, Japan was the first working democracy in East Asia and a model for many countries in the region. Japan established a democratic system but also developed into the second-largest economy in the world, the largest donor country; and a country with a quasi-European welfare system, a low unemployment rate, and a low crime rate. In the late 1980s, the journalist Karel van Wolferen wondered how this could happen in a country where no one seems to be in charge, the least the prime minister. Others have questioned whether Japan is indeed a democracy or a whether it is a free market economy. This course examines these puzzles; the successes and failures of postwar Japan; why it took such a long time until the first real change of government in 2009; why it failed after only 3 years in power, and what the recent developments mean for Japan. Finally, the course assesses where Japan stands in 2023 and where it might go from here.

The course covers simple phrases and expressions used in everyday practical situations. This includes the use of expressions with the context of others, in expressing sequential actions; exchanging ideas and information, and asking questions.
 

The course analyzes contemporary Chinese politics and international relations, focusing on historical background, economic and socio-cultural dynamics.  

China's return to regional and global prominence has profound implications for understanding the future evolution of the international system but also how states engage with a non-Western superpower. This course examines the international relations of China from 1949 to present. It highlights the changing and enduring characteristics of China's foreign policy through investigating the role the Party (CCP), the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and the Red aristocrats have on foreign policy in the region and globally. This course also looks at China's newer initiatives such as the Belt Road Initiative (BRI) to glean a better understanding of China's vision of itself on the world stage. 

This advanced Japanese course expands vocabulary. A different theme is be chosen to discuss each week. Students are split into groups to engage in activities, discussion, and group work concerning the selected topic. The goal of the class is not only to increase vocabulary, but also to widen perspectives and deepenknowledge regarding various issues related to Japan and Japanese society. The program offers various theme courses and students may take multiple sections.

This is a beginning elementary Japanese course intended to cover the first year of Japanese language study at UC. The purpose of this course is to provide a basic understanding of Japanese sentence structures, grammar and vocabulary necessary for daily communication in both spoken and written Japanese. Students master hiragana and katakana, learn approximately 125 kanji, and develop an ability to read and write simple texts constructed with learned sentence patterns and vocabulary. By the end of the course, students are expected to be able to orally deliver personal information, experiences, and factual information, as well as express simple opinions. Through communication with native Japanese speakers, students develop strategic skills for obtaining information about the Japanese language.

This basic Japanese course is designed to improve speaking skills. A different theme concerning Japanese culture and society is chosen for each course and students are split into groups to engage in activities, discussion, and group work concerning the selected topic. The overall goal of the class is for students to widen their perspectives and deepen their knowledge regarding various issues related to Japan and Japanese society. The program offers various theme courses and students may take multiple sections.