Study Abroad in Japan
Study abroad opportunity in Japan!
Annual program running for 17 days the first full week in May (e.g., Monday, May 6)
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- View the course flyer in Acrobat Reader (note: the file is ~5MB)
- Additional information for this course in PowerPoint (note: the file is ~6MB)
- Detailed information regarding our activities and experience in Japan
- View a course website made by students in the program
- Slideshow from previous sessions in Japan
Course Description/Objectives:
Hosted in Japan, this course offers students a unique opportunity to examine the relationship between culture and technology use in the context of Japanese communication and gaming. Industry site visits will provide previews of emerging services and games and the requisite market research. Companies recruited for the site visits include mobile phone service providers, game developers, and broadcasting facilities. Arguably, the most exciting part of the course will be an extensive series of field trips to historic Japanese sites. Lastly, to optimize our students� experience, Japanese language lessons and social events will be organized.
The four thematic areas of this course are:
- Technology: Wireless; Mobile Devices; Next-Gen Game Consoles; Emerging technology.
- Culture: Perspectives and dimensions of culture; Individual traits; Societal norms; Language.
- Communication: Computer-Mediated Communication; Online Identities; Relating Online.
- Games: Game Development; Game Markets; Mobile Games; Games and Society.
Course Costs:
- Program fees (includes two weeks of accommodations): Estimated at $2,000
- Not included: Tuition fees (6 credits)
- Not included: Air fare – Detroit to Tokyo: ~$900 (fares have ranged from $650-1,200)
- Not included: Most Meals (~$300), high-speed rail pass (~$300), spending money (~$500)
Course Format:
- Prior to departure:
5 class sessions from 6-9 p.m. or equivalent
E.g. Thursdays in April; subject to enrolled students’ schedules - Depart from Detroit on Monday, May 10
- Arrive in Tokyo (Base 1 – Hotel Asia Center of Japan), Japan, on Tuesday, May 11
- Company site visits: Wednesday-Friday, May 12-14
- Cultural trips: Saturday & Sunday, May 15-16
- Transfer to Osaka (Base 2 Hotel Hearton Shinsaibashi), Japan, on Sunday, May 16
- Cultural trips: Monday-Thursday, May 17-20
(Hikone, Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Hiroshima, Miyajima, Yokohama, Asakusa – optional: Nagoya, Fuji) - Transfer back to Tokyo (Base 1 hotel), Japan, on Thursday night, May 20,
- Company site visits: Friday, May 21
- Free time: Saturday & Sunday, May 22-23
- University visits and research: Monday-Wednesday, May 24-26
- Free evenings
- Depart May 27 – assistance with alternative accommodations may be arranged for an earlier/later arrival/departure.
Course Outline:
|
Dates |
Class |
Topic |
|
April |
0 |
Classroom sessions @ MSU (~17 hours) |
|
May 12 |
1-2-3 |
Company Site Visits 1 & 2 & 3(TBD) |
|
May 13 |
4-5-6 |
Company Site Visits 4 & 5 & 6(TBD) |
|
May 14 |
7-8-9 |
Company Site Visits 7 & 8 & 9 (TBD) |
|
May 15-16 |
10 |
Cultural activities in Tokyo, Asakusa |
|
May 17 |
11 |
Cultural Trip: Hikone, Nara, Kyoto |
|
May 18 |
12 |
Cultural Trip: Osaka, Kyoto |
|
May 19 |
13 |
Cultural Trip: Hiroshima, Miyajima |
|
May 20 |
14 |
Cultural Trip: Osaka |
|
May 21 |
15-16-17 |
Company site visits: 10 & 11 & 12 |
|
May 22-23 |
18 |
Free time |
|
May 24-26 |
– |
University visits and research |
|
May 27 |
– |
Depart Tokyo |
Course Materials
Optional textbook: Wood, A.F., and Smith, M.J. (2005) Online Communication: Linking Technology, Identity, and Culture, 2nd Edition. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
Grading for Course 1 (4 credits) – TC491/891
- Participation: 30 %
- Blogging Assignment: 50 %
- Technology Review: 20 %
Grading for Course 2 (2 credits) – TC490/890
- Research: 50 %
- Project option (Web, Video, Paper): 50 % (due on June 16, 2010)
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