COURSE DESCRIPTION:

The purpose of this seminar is threefold. The first objective is to improve students’ understanding of global issues relating to Japan in our interdependent world currently enveloped in a tide of uncertainty. The second is to gain a more profound sense of media literacy by developing a critical eye, digging for sources, finding hidden agendas or intentions, and evaluating persuasion techniques. The third is to enlarge students’ English vocabulary and communication skills. The ultimate aim of this seminar is for each student to grasp that it is not what we get but instead who we are and what we contribute that truly matters.

Course content will be suited to the needs and interests of the students.

04.14 Orientation (tomato) 

04.21 Japanese Employment System (chicory)

04.28 Spend the day thinking about and preparing a topic for discussion on May 12. (melon)

05.12 ONLINE: Attendance check-in. Then see THIS. (chard)

05.19 ONLINE: Attendance check-in. Then see THIS. (celeriac)

05.26 ONLINE: As with the last two sessions, then THIS. (squash)

06.02 ONLINE: Your task for the day is HERE. (lettuce)

06.09 ONLINE: An inspiring video task TODAY. (alfalfa)

06.16 ONLINE: A challenging task THIS TIME. (trefoil)

06.23 Discussion: School Systems (endive)

06.30 Discussion: Dignity (kohlrabi)

07.07 Discussion: Resume (turnip)

07.14 Review (kale)

07.21 TEST (potato)

09.22 ONLINE Back to School

09.29 ONLINE: Complete 9.22 ↑ task only / Zemi starts back NEXT week :)

10.06 ONLINE: What to Do

10.13 Face-to-Face: BTF

10.20 Self-Study

10.27 Fill-in-the-Blanks BTF 1A

11.10 Fill-in-the-Blanks  BTF 1B → Task 1

11.17 Fill-in-the-Blanks BTF 2 → Task 2 

11.24 Fill-in-the-Blanks BTF 3 → Task 3

12.01 Fill-in-the-Blanks BTF 4 → Task 4

12.08 No Class

12.15 Fill-in-the-Blanks BTF 5 → Task 5

12.22 Final Paper Information

01.12 Final Paper Due

________________ 

POSSIBLE SCENARIOS:

- Navigating Digital Information

- T- Shirt Project

- SeedFolks Story

04.14 Introduction + Preview Video (attendance pw: tomato)

04.21 Introduction to Navigating Digital Information + Handout 1 + Task  (chicory)

04.28 Fact-Checking + Handout 2 + Task (melon)

05.12 Lateral Reading + Handout 3 + Task (chard)

05.19 Deciding Who To Trust + Handout 4 + Task (celeriac)

05.26 Using Wikipedia + Handout 5 + Task (squash)

06.02 Evaluating Evidence + Handout 6 + Lecture + Task

06.09 Evaluating Photos and Videos + Handout 7 + Task (alfalfa)

06.16 Data and Infographics + Handout 8 + Task (trefoil)

06.23 Click Restraint + Handout 9 + Task (endive) 

06.30 Social Media + Handout 10 + Task (kohlrabi)

07.07 Test Preparation (turnip)

07.20 MIDTERM TEST - Deep Writing (kale)

_________

09.23 The Re-start - Task (attendance pw: turnip)

09.30 T-Shirt Project / Overview / Task (pw: kohlrabi)

10.07 The Economics / Podcast /Material_01/ Listening (broccoli)

10.14 Technology & Subsidies / Podcast / Material_02 / Listening (endive)

10.21 Indonesia  [satellite farms / spinning]  / *Podcast / Material_03 / Listening (alfalfa)

10.28 Two Sisters / Podcast / Material_04 / Listening (squash)

11.11 Garment Industry / Podcast / Material_05 / Listening (lupin)

11.18 Bangladesh / Columbia / Podcast / Material_06 / Listening (trefoil)

11.25 Nixon and Kimchi / Podcast / Material_07 / Listening (cucumber)

12.02 Container / Podcast  / Material_08 / Listening (rye)

12.09 Taxes / Podcast / Material_09 / Listening (corn) 

12.16 The Afterlife / Podcast / Material_10 / Listening (shallot)

01.13 Work, Trade, Clothes / Podcast / Material_11 / Listening (garlic)

01.20 FINAL TEST or REPORT /(parsnip) 

EXPECTATIONS:

Students are expected to come to class on time and with a positive attitude. Enrollment will be limited.

EVALUATION:

Grades will be decided on a balanced performance in the following areas: Tasks, Presentation, Participation, Contribution, and Attitude. The more you speak up in class, the better your grade will be.

TEXTBOOKS

No class textbook.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

The purpose of this seminar is threefold. The first objective is to improve students’ understanding of global issues relating to Japan in our interdependent world currently enveloped in a tide of uncertainty. Second is to gain a more profound sense of media literacy by developing a critical eye, digging for sources, finding hidden agendas or intentions, and evaluating persuasion techniques. The third is to enlarge students’ English vocabulary and communication skills. The ultimate aim of this seminar is for each student to grasp that it is not what we get but instead who we are and what we contribute that truly matters.

2020 CLASSES

Due to the COVID-19 situation, this year's zemi will not really be a zemi, in the sense of the word, as it will be an ON-DEMAND, SELF-STUDY class. As of now, there are no scheduled sessions where we meet interactively in real-time. The reason for this is that not everyone will have a stable, high-speed internet connection that allows for stress-free interactive connectivity because of structural, financial, and geographical factors.

SPRING

05.13 Introduction + Preview Video  (attendance pw: tomato)

05.20 Introduction to Navigating Digital Information + Handout 1 + Task (pw: chicory)

05.27 Fact-Checking + Lecture + Handout 2 + Task (melon)

06.03 Lateral Reading + Lecture + Handout 3 + Task (chard)

06.10 Deciding Who To Trust + Lecture + Handout 4 + Task (celeriac)

06.17 Using Wikipedia + Lecture + Handout 5 + Task (squash)

Extra Session: Evaluating Evidence + Lecture + Handout 6 + Lecture + Task

06.24 Evaluating Photos and Videos + Lecture + Handout 7 + Task (alfalfa)

07.01 Data and Infographics + Lecture + Handout 8 + Task (trefoil)

07.08 Click Restraint + Lecture + Handout 9 + Task (endive)

07.15 Social Media + Lecture + Handout 10 + Task (kohlrabi)

07.22 Test Preparation (turnip)

07.29 MIDTERM TEST - Deep Writing (kale)

AUTUMN

09.23 The Re-start - Task (attendance pw: turnip)

09.30  T-Shirt Project / Overview / Task  (pw: kohlrabi)

10.07 The Economics / Podcast / Lecture / Material_01/ Listening  (broccoli)

10.14 Technology & Subsidies / Podcast / Lecture / Material_02 / Listening  (endive)

10.21 Indonesia  [satellite farms / spinning] / *Podcast / Lecture / Material_03 / Listening (alfalfa)

10.28 Two Sisters / Podcast / Lecture / Material_04 / Listening (squash)

11.11 Garment Industry  / Podcast / Lecture / Material_05 / Listening  (lupin)

11.18 Bangladesh / Columbia / Podcast / Lecture / Material_06 / Listening  (trefoil)

11.25 Nixon and Kimchi / Podcast / Lecture / Material_07 / Listening (cucumber)

12.02 Container / Podcast / Lecture / Material_08 / Listening (rye)

12.09 Look / Taxes / Podcast / Lecture / Material_09 / Listening (corn)

12.16 The Afterlife / Podcast / Lecture / Material_10 / Listening (shallot)

01.13 Work, Trade, Clothes / Podcast / Lecture / Material_11 / Listening (garlic)

01.20 FINAL REPORT /(parsnip)

EXPECTATIONS:

Students are expected to come to class on time and with a positive attitude. Enrollment will be limited.

EVALUATION:
Grades will be decided on a balanced performance in the following areas: Tasks, Presentation, Participation, Contribution, and Attitude. The more you speak up in class, the better your grade will be.

TEXTBOOKS

No class textbook.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

The purpose of this seminar is threefold. The first objective is to improve students’ understanding of global issues relating to Japan in our interdependent world currently enveloped in a tide of uncertainty. Second is to gain a more profound sense of media literacy by developing a critical eye, digging for sources, finding hidden agendas or intentions, and evaluating persuasion techniques. The third is to enlarge students’ English vocabulary and communication skills. The ultimate aim of this seminar is for each student to grasp that it is not what we get but instead who we are and what we contribute that truly matters.

2020 CLASSES

Due to the COVID-19 situation, this year's zemi will not really be a zemi, in the sense of the word, as it will be an ON-DEMAND, SELF-STUDY class. As of now, there are no scheduled sessions where we meet interactively in real-time. The reason for this is that not everyone will have a stable, high-speed internet connection that allows for stress-free interactive connectivity because of structural, financial, and geographical factors. At present, I have tentatively listed some potential topics that we may cover; however, the final content of the class will be determined after the number and make-up of students have been determined.

ONLINE

05.13 Introduction

05.20 The Importance of Dancing Like an Idiot

05.27 How to Find Fulfilling Work

06.03 Five Hindrances to Self-Mastery

06.10 I've Lived as a Man & a Woman--Here's What I Learned

06.17 ---

+2 Sessions:

ON CAMPUS

06.24

07.01

07.08

07.15 Review

07.22 TEST - Vocabulary

07.29 TEST - Writing

EXPECTATIONS:

Students are expected to come to class on time and with a positive attitude. Enrollment will be limited.

EVALUATION:
Grades will be decided on a balanced performance in the following areas: Tasks, Presentation, Participation, Contribution, and Attitude. The more you speak up in class, the better your grade will be.

TEXTBOOKS

No class textbook.