SUMMER INSTITUTES

Discussion Board Links for Teachers Enrolled in Perspectives on East Asia for Teachers:

Andrea Arai’s 242 Class Page and Board:

Perspectives on East Asia for Teachers: Contemporary Japan
A Summer Course for K–12 Educators
Sponsored by The East Asia Resource Center
July 23 – August 22, 2008
University of Washington
Seattle, WA

DESCRIPTION: This summer, the UW East Asia Resource Center (EARC) and Japan Studies, in partnership with the College of Education, have teamed up to design an intensive course on Japan. For pre- and in-service K-12 educators with varying levels of background in Japan studies, Perspectives on East Asia for Teachers: Contemporary Japan is a four-and-a-half-week intensive course that will give educators an outstanding grounding in Japan studies and in curricular strategies for bringing a study of Japan into their classrooms.

UW Japan scholar Andrea Arai and master teacher Pat Burleson will each teach a thread of the course: Professor Arai will lead daily lecture-discussion sessions and Ms. Burleson will guide special, semi-weekly classroom application sessions that build on the material covered in the lectures. The lecture-discussion component begins with a look at the question, Why study Japan? The sessions that follow introduce periods in modern Japanese history up to the present, focusing on topics that illuminate aspects of contemporary Japanese society, culture, politics, and economics. Topics include education, women, work, baseball, religion, the bursting of the bubble, Japan in the world, and more.

The lecture-discussion component connects with an equally compelling set of sessions on bringing Japan into the K-12 classroom. Master teacher and director of Japan Connections, Pat Burleson, will guide teachers in a series of sessions designed to put educators in the best position to teach about Japan. Practical, activity-based sessions will put educators to work: Teachers will examine stereotypes and perspectives in K-12 teaching materials, survey the available materials to create tailored resource lists, connect to standards and assessments, and create curricular materials based on the topics and perspectives covered in the course and on their own classroom needs. As a final project, teachers will create a Japan portfolio to use in their teaching for years to come that incorporates the above work and other useful items.

HOW IT WORKS: Educators will enroll directly through the EARC in SISEA 490 or EDC&I 495 for a reduced rate of approximately $187, thanks to the generous support of the Freeman Foundation. Teachers in these course numbers attend the lecture-discussion sessions with undergraduate Japan studies majors enrolled in SISEA 242. Teachers attend a special weekly discussion sessions, just for them, with the Japan scholar and meet regularly with the master teacher. The meeting times are scheduled as follows: MF 10-12, 1:10-3:20; TTh 1:10-3:20; W 1:10-4:20. Six credits or 60 clock hours will be granted.

MORE INFORMATION: For more information, please contact Mary Cingcade: (206) 543-1921 or earc@u.washington.edu.

APPLY: In order to be admitted, in-service teachers must submit a one- to two–page statement about how this course will impact their curriculum. Pre-service teachers should submit a one-page statement about their goals in taking this course. Admission is on a rolling basis until filled. Space is limited so apply now!

Click here to fill out the online application.

Your payment will be processed by Student Fiscal Services (SFS) at the University of Washington. SFS processes checks electronically using the information on the check to create an electronic funds transfer. Each time you send a check, you authorize a one-time transfer where funds will be electronically withdrawn from your bank account. You will not receive your cancelled check as SFS is required to destroy the check after it has been processsed. For more information or to stop the conversion of your check, please contact SFS at (206) 543-4694 or email at sfshelp@u.washington.edu.