Doshisha University

Mathematics underpins virtually everything that we take for granted in our daily lives, and it is sometimes referred to as the “Queen of Science” due to its demands of logical rigor and cold calculations. However, despite its intimidating veneer, mathematics is the culmination of millennia of human endeavor. The purpose of this course is to give an accessible overview of some of the key developments in mathematics, covering the period from the time of the ancients, up to the early modern period. The course also provides an opportunity to apply historical mathematical methods to solve problems. While covering the well-known Greek, Chinese, Islamic, and European mathematicians, the course also addresses Japanese mathematics during the Edo period.　
 

While the course includes written assignments, to properly understand and follow the thinking of the mathematicians, the course covers problem solving using historical mathematical methods. While a background in high-school level math is useful, an enthusiasm for critical thinking and problem solving could replace that prerequisite, since the mathematical concepts will be introduced as they were historically considered.

In Japan, Ikebana is appreciated with Japanese sophisticated sense of nature, admiring not only the beautiful colors of flowers but also the leaf - its green, beauty of bark, seasonal fruits, or even it withering. The whole of them are named generically "hana," which means "flower" in Japanese Ikebana. Japanese Ikebana is respected as "the way of hana" which is the best way to learn spiritual, philosophical, and aesthetic sense.

This course covers plant features, seasonal changes, and Ikebana techniques. The course aims to understand flower arrangement but also to acquire the skills for communicating and feeling the sense of beauty between a flower arranger (master) and observers (guests). 

Our conceptions of Japan are, like those of any country, shaped not only by our firsthand experiences but also by the images we see in the media, talk about with our friends, and hold in our thoughts. This course focuses on common images of Japanese culture and society—including artistic tropes, pervasive ideologies, and stereotypes—from the Meiji Period until contemporary times. Through contextual analysis of historical and contemporary media representations of Japanese culture or society (for example, advertisements and works of art), the course aims to build students’ critical engagement with the images they encounter in their daily lives. Each course positions these images in the context of global exchange, focusing on the interactions between understandings of Japan domestically and abroad. Students will be encouraged to apply the ideas discussed in class to familiar cultural texts, culminating in the production of a video or photo essay that examines a common idea about Japan today.

This course is taught by three instructors, Takagishi, Harada, and Daikuhara, in an omnibus format. The purpose of the course is to deepen one's understanding of Japanese life, society and culture, gaining a multifaceted perspective. 
 

Takagishi's class covers 'Kyoto festivals;' 'Doshisha's founding spirit and the life of its founder, Jo Niijima;'' 'Kansai dialect;' 'Kyoto companies;' 'Kyoto-machiya,' and 'Japanese manga and anime'.　

Harada's classes focus on 'Japanese onomatopoeia;' 'ceramics and Japanese life;' 'tea ceremony and daily life,' and 'Japanese meals and table culture.' 

Daikuhara's section revolves around 'Nintendo's history and philosophy;' 'Japanese intonation,' and 'Japanese monsters and gods.'

This course provides the opportunity for students to listen and speak elementary level Japanese (A2 level in JF Standard or CEFR), while practicing conversation and presentation. The course covers topics such as family, seasons, weather, town, outings, foreign countries, health, etc., with the purpose of comprehending sentences and commonly used expressions relevant to immediate needs and engage in basic and routine communication tasks.
 

For efficient improvement of Japanese ability, it is recommended to enroll in "Japanese 1 (Grammar II)-51" simultaneously.
 

This course covers the first half of the A2 level; the latter half of the A2 level is covered in the next semester. 

This course is designed for students who are planning to take the Japanese Language Proficiency Test Level N2. Students enhance their understanding of grammar and sentence patterns and improve their reading and listening skills necessary to pass the N2 test. Mock exams are held at the beginning of the semester and immediately before the exam date so that students can grasp their own Japanese language ability and become familiar with the format of the test. In addition, mock exercises are held in each area: "characters and vocabulary," "grammar," "reading comprehension," and "listening comprehension."

The course provides a strong foundation in Japanese not only to pass the proficiency test but also to develop well-balanced listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. 

Note: Intermediate Japanese language levels at the host university are comparable to UC upper-division language courses.

This course considers the thoughts and way of life during the Edo period, focusing on the ideas of the samurai. The course provides an opportunity for students to improve their Japanese reading ability by reading classical Japanese literature.

This course enhances communication skills focusing on interview, discussions and debate. The goal is "to communicate without reading," and by summarizing each activity in a conversational format, students are trained to listen carefully to what the other person is saying; confirm what they are saying, and naturally respond by agree or disagreeing.  The second half of the course develops the ability to speak at paragraph level with reasons and specific examples, while expanding vocabulary, to state one's opinions.

Note: Intermediate Japanese language levels at the host university are comparable to UC upper-division language courses.

How can Japanese culture be better known across the world? This simple question lies at the heart of many Japanese governmental policies, local revitalization efforts, tourism initiatives, and artistic projects. In particular, the goal of preserving Japanese traditions through global transmission — and to encourage other nations to similarly preserve their own traditions — often guides foreign policy discussions. But why is this goal so prevalent today, and what ways of thinking about culture does it encourage? Who decides what is defined as ‘Japanese culture’, or which traditions should be transmitted? This course discusses common understandings (and countercultural re-imaginings) of tradition in contemporary Japanese culture. The course explores media texts that both decry and extol the potential for global exchange to alter tradition and classes focus particularly on the political implications of rhetoric used to talk about the spread of culture today. Through class discussion and independent projects, the course re-thinks common ideas about culture and its global spread.