SCHOOL LIFE: Thursday- Japanese Language and Culture, Civic Law, "Interchanging Societies", Seminar

 Today was the fullest day of class that I have had at the University of Hyogo thus far; it almost made me feel like a real student here. Due to a scheduling problem, however, one of these classes will be cut out from Thursdays. This will put the amount of classes at about nine per week, with no classes Wednesdays (as last semester) and none on Fridays. While this makes the week seem somewhat short, it actually numbers as more classes than I took last semester.

 The first class of the day was the same as last semester- Japanese Language and Culture- only this time it had a different instructor. Before was Matsuda-sensei (I think this is the first time I've used names in a blog entry, because of the Human Subjects Review but I don't think names really violate not having fulfilled that), who mainly teaches Japanese to foreign students. She still teaches Monday's class "Technical Japanese" but for this class a younger female teacher is fulfilling her role. With an almost saccharine-sweet demeanor, she brought an entirely different attitude to teaching, similar to what a kindergarten teacher might do in the United States, but this is nothing out of the ordinary in Japan. Culturally, cuteness is acceptable at any age in any setting (including signs that warn about sexual predators [will post a picture at some point]) and my all-Chinese classmates seemed thrilled with her renditions of monkeys playing the piano and scuba-diving to show what her hobbies are. In spite of my cynicism she is a breath of fresh air, and her attitude shows a feminine side of Japanese culture that would likely be ostracized by American feminists who are clueless about cultural differences in gender. The class amounted to self-introductions and an open attitude to how the class would be taught in the future (in particular, abandoning essay-writing for conversational practice).

 The next class is the one that may be dropped from the schedule, but I am moderately intrigued in the possibility of challenging myself by taking it. Civic Law, as I believe it to be called, is a twice a week course (the other day the class is on conflicts with the other law class I mentioned, one that's probably much easier to understand and handle) with a stern professor who called out two talkative students and ridiculed them in front of the class (both male students, one fitting a Japanese stereotype known as "Gal-Otoko" [ギャル男、Gal-man] placed on men with bleached-blonde hair and flamboyant dressing styles, which could be misconstrued as a style for Japanese homosexuals [though many of them undoubtedly are] but usually embodies a shallow, hedonistic facet of modern Japanese culture; perhaps a post on these stereotypes is in order?). While the lecture left no room for playing around, it definitely invoked a sense of confidence that what the professor was teaching IS the real deal, and for anyone interested in pursuing law a necessary course, as the professor explained that anyone with only economics credentials on their college transcripts would be dismissed by any potential employers. Being that the University of Hyogo is an economics and business school, this seemed to me a powerful statement. The professor repeatedly expressed the seriousness of the course, and with the huge amount of students that were in attendance, it seemed a bit more inspiring than the other law course which contained relatively fewer students. I'll mull it over in my head over the weekend on which path to take, but if I did partake in this course it would put the number of classes to 10 per week and require a higher degree of self-determination.

 Third period was filled with a class that also takes place twice a week, taught by the exchange faculty who was at Evergreen a year ago, Ueno-sensei. The class revolves around his time in America and how American society contrasts with Japan. While it looks to be a glorified travel-log (much like my entire exchange itself), Ueno-sensei engages me frequently in class, drawing the eyes of other students and effectively feeding my ego. In terms of a cultural experience, it should be a sufficient-enough look at American and Japanese society. In terms of its language-learning value, there are many segments in English, making it a bit difficult to claim it as a language experience. Nonetheless, it's a normal class for Japanese students, so it will provide adequate practice for speaking and reading Japanese.

 The final class of the day was seminar, as it was last semester. Students presented written reviews of books they had read according to research topics. The point was for students to practice writing so they can some day produce a thesis for graduation or post-grad education. I am expected to do this assignment, which means reading a book in English or in Japanese. When I complete this (I can say that with some degree of confidence) I will post it here and explain it in detail.

 Thursdays look to be a tiring day this semester, but considering it's my last here, I had better make it worth something. Once the schedule is finalized I will have it posted here in the next week.