Japn, Chin, Asia 499W |
Japanese/Chinese/Asian Studies Senior Seminar |
Spring 2011 |
R. Loftus Walton 144 |
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Email: rloftus;
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Demonstrate basic language proficiency in an Asian language
Demonstrate a broad cultural knowledge of China, Japan or other Asian societies
Demonstrate interdisciplinary understanding of China, Japan or other Asian societies by completing an interdisciplinary project for this course
Demonstrate writing proficency as described by the Writing Rubrics by successful completion of a written senior project
1. Senior Research Paper
2. Review Essay + Research Questions
3. Biography with Commentary
4. Translations with CommentaryDETAILS on these four varieties:
1. Senior Research Paper (see “Research Paper.pdf” file as an example)
• Original study with a clear thesis and arguments
• Structure
Reviews on previous studies (called “literature reviews”)
Thesis/Hypothesis/Research Question (finding a niche in the previous studies)
Arguments (presenting evidence, analyses and discussion)
Conclusion
• Length – 25~30 pages (double-spaced)
• References (15~20 or more)
• Use of a primary source in Chinese or Japanese is not required but strongly recommended2. Review Essay + Research Questions (see “Review Essay.pdf” file as an example)
• Summarize different interpretations of the issue in previous studies, comment on them and generate your own research questions.
• Survey existing literature on a certain topic.
• Choose 4~5 books to review. Students need to read the entire book carefully.
• Summarize each author’s main ideas and different interpretations of the topic. For example, “The Road to WWII.”
• End with research questions
• Length – 25~30 pages (double-spaced)
• Reference (3~4 books)
• Use of secondary source, i.e., books in English.• If students cannot find 4~5 books on the same topic, book reviews for unrelated books might be possible. Consult the instructor.
3. Biography with Commentary (see “Biography.pdf” file as an example)
• Research on a particular person in the field and write a biography of that person.
• Selection of the person
Sufficient written materials in primary and/or secondary sources that the person produced and/or are written about the person are required.
• Writing a biography
Read and analyze the written materials
Justify your choice of the person by explaining the individual’s significance or legacy
Offer your own unique perspective or insight into the person's life
• Length – 25~30 pages of text (double-spaced)
• References (15~20 or more)
• Use of a primary source in Chinese or Japanese is not required but strongly recommended4. Translations with Commentary
• Translate materials in Chinese or Japanese into English with your own commentary.
• Translation
Literature (novels, short stories, poems, etc.)
Non-literature materials such as journal articles, academic books, etc.
• Commentary
Introduction (background information)
Significance of the materials to the field (Why did you choose these materials to translate?)
• Length – minimum of 15~20 pages of text for the translation and 5~10 pages for the commentary (double- spaced); details to be worked out with the instructor
• References (5 or more). This does not mean translating 5 or more materials. Five or more references from other sources that will be necessary to write your commentary.
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1. Feb. 3 Student Submission/Presentations of their Preliminary Research Designs--one or two parargraphs describing your project and your preliminary bibliography
2. March 3 First Rough Draft due -- 10-12 pages; 3 copies: 1 for me, 2 for Peer Review; you may like to show your 2nd reader a copy, too.
3. April 5 1st Rough Draft Due; 3 copies: 1 for 2nd Reader, 1 for me, and 1 for Peer Review by a class member
4. April 19th complete 2nd Draft Due with 3 copies again
4. April 28 and May 3, 5-10 minute Presentations of Final Research Project with 5-10 minutes for Q&A/Defense of your thesis
5. May 3, Final Paper due by class time, 12:50 pm. We will gather in the classroom. Please send the final draft of your senior thesis WITH A COVER PAGE to Janet Jobes<jjobes> as a Word Attachment by 12:50 Tuesday April 29
to become a perfect student of an imperfect teacher."
Fujita Issho, Zen Teacher
Possibly a Second essay by Oe, "Japan's Dual Identity: A Writer's Dilemma" a PDF if there is interst
Watch short excerpt from a video? "Virgin Road" Long Vacation "Long Vacation"??
Read and Develop Your own Topic for the Next 2 WeeksFeb. 1 No classFeb. 3 5 minute presentation on your topic, and hand in a couple of paragraphs, similar to a rough draft of your Introduction, that describes your project and its presumed outcome.
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March 8-31 Work Independently for the next 4 Weeks (including Spring Break)"With bloodshot eyes, I worked like a madman... Everyday I worked as hard and as long as I could."Soseki, KokoroMar. 8 Available for Individual Conferences on Current Progress/IssuesMar. 10 Available for Individual Conferences on Current Progress/IssuesMar. 15 Available for Individual Conferences on Current Progress/IssuesMar. 17 Available for Individual Conferences on Current Progress/IssuesSPRING BREAKMar. 29 Available for Individual Conferences on Current Progress/IssuesMarch 31 Available for Individual Conferences on Current Progress/Issues"I decided that I had only been able to complete about one-third of the work that I should have done by then. The unpleasant feeling that I had not worked hard enough was one that I had often experienced before...Soseki, Kokoro************************************************* |

Please bring 3 copies of your first draft to class, one for me and one each for two of your peers.
Sunday April 10 Senior Summit
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For the next week, revise and develop your first draft into a final draft, NO CLASS
Apr. 12 Revise
Apr. 14 Revise
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"My professors apparently did not have as high an opinion of my thesis as I did.
I was, however, allowed to graduate that year." [Yaaaay!]
Soseki, Kokoro