The purpose of this class is to guide the students through the procedures that should be completed in Japan prior to departure and after arrival in the United States. Also it attempts to familiarize the students with various aspects of preparing for and coping with studying and living in the United States.
Topics covered include:
Using articles from current periodicals and short video clips, this class focuses on differences between American and Japanese communication styles (particularly nonverbal communication), values, and customs. Other topics for discussion include: stereotypes, minorities, crime, education, friendship and dating, eating habits, and humor.
The purpose of this class is to develop fluency in reading and speaking, vocabulary, and understanding of American culture and history. The text (Chiefs by Stuart Woods) is an historical suspense novel placed in a small town in the South during three periods: the 20s, the 40s, and the 60s. Students must complete the required pages according to the syllabus in order to participate in class discussion will focuses on discrimination, politics, gun control, and other issues. At the end of each section of the novel, a video based on the novel is shown. The class includes two quizzes and a final open-book exam.
The purpose of this class is to develop listening comprehension and vocabulary. There are various exercises to do while viewing segments of feature films, including Big, Overboard, and Hoosiers. After looking at parts of the films for details about character and plot, the entire film is viewed without subtitles.
This course introduces various aspects of contemporary American life through examining the institutions, customs, people, and historical background of the United States. Such areas as education, work and leisure, the political system, and the status of minorities are covered. The different regions of the U.S. and topics of current interest are also explored.
This class centers on learning English with musical texts as the creative source. Each lesson focuses on a different style of music including popular music, opera, rap, classical, etc., with further exploration of the background and history of the music and artist(s).
The lyrics of songs are often based on the condition of human existence. We usually hear about romantic love, or the end of it, but there are many other feelings which are rendered in song. This course explores the lyrics of songs and the emotions that they attempt to convey.
Each week a song having a different theme is introduced. The class concentrates on student self-expression through discussion and written work. There are also opportunities for listening, reading, vocabulary building, and pronunciation. Students are expected to use the lyrics of the songs as a source for a vocabulary list and as a reference in discussion or writing.
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COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
College Orientation
Intercultural Communication
An American Novel
American Movies
American Society
English Thru Music
The Lyrics of Life
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Last updated Monday, November 30, 1998.