New quarter, new classes
Okay, so by now I've been to every class at least once. As you can see from the updated sidebar, *much* less class time this term. So happy about that. On the other hand, all my classes kind of suck. Unfortunately, there isn't really anything I can do about that. In order to get the Japan Studies certificate, I have to take two courses approved by the Japan Studies people. These approved courses fall into three categories, and so far I'd taken classes in two.
History of Japan is in the third. I really want to know more about premodern Japan, so I figured it was a good thing, but 1) we're using an English textbook (as opposed to primary sources in translation, which my classmate Ripley-san did at her home institution), which is bad because a) there are no good English textbooks on premodern Japan b) there are no *recent* English textbooks on premodern Japan and c) this particular textbook was chosen, not because it's better than others, but because it's published in Japan and therefore cheaper and 2) the professor... not so inspiring.
The Japan Studies course I chose mainly because, of the approved courses in English, it fit my schedule. Also, it's one of the "core courses" for Japan Studies... which are not required but recommended. I figured I'm sort of an outstanding certificate candidate as it is, might as well do what I can not to throw my candidacy into question. The professor is a cute, old German man. I don't have any specific interest in religion, but again (like premodern history), it's something I know little about and would like to fill that void. However, he actually seems intent on keeping us until 19:00, which is just ridiculous if you ask me. Four hours is way too long for one class, even if we do get two short breaks. And on the first day too... we wasted a good amount of time today trying to get on the internet so he could show us how to use the blackboard-type site. I could've been cooking dinner.
Japanese so far looks like a lot of work. In Reading we're reading actual (short) newspaper articles, which is quite daunting but also really cool, because we get to the end of it and I think, "Whoa! We just read through an actual newspaper article!" Writing should be okay... if I can remember my kanji. I may have to suck it up and invest in a 電子辞書 [denshi jishou] (electronic dictionary) soon. All the new teachers seem really good. And boy is it nice not to have class from 8:50 to 15:00 five days a week anymore. Of course that means we can't really afford to miss *any* class.
I wonder if my batch has been especially bad... That's the impression I get. Every Japanese class has begun with a review of (by which I mean the sensei repeat multiple times in detail) the JLP rules on attendance (failure if you miss more than 1/3 of the classes). They are also discussing implementing a tardiness rule (up to 10 minutes late is 1/3 of an absence) and in Writing class, Sato-sensei even made a point of saying no eating (or gum-chewing) in class. It's quite obvious news of our bad behaviour has spread through the JLP. I'm so proud. *rolls eyes*
History of Japan is in the third. I really want to know more about premodern Japan, so I figured it was a good thing, but 1) we're using an English textbook (as opposed to primary sources in translation, which my classmate Ripley-san did at her home institution), which is bad because a) there are no good English textbooks on premodern Japan b) there are no *recent* English textbooks on premodern Japan and c) this particular textbook was chosen, not because it's better than others, but because it's published in Japan and therefore cheaper and 2) the professor... not so inspiring.
The Japan Studies course I chose mainly because, of the approved courses in English, it fit my schedule. Also, it's one of the "core courses" for Japan Studies... which are not required but recommended. I figured I'm sort of an outstanding certificate candidate as it is, might as well do what I can not to throw my candidacy into question. The professor is a cute, old German man. I don't have any specific interest in religion, but again (like premodern history), it's something I know little about and would like to fill that void. However, he actually seems intent on keeping us until 19:00, which is just ridiculous if you ask me. Four hours is way too long for one class, even if we do get two short breaks. And on the first day too... we wasted a good amount of time today trying to get on the internet so he could show us how to use the blackboard-type site. I could've been cooking dinner.
Japanese so far looks like a lot of work. In Reading we're reading actual (short) newspaper articles, which is quite daunting but also really cool, because we get to the end of it and I think, "Whoa! We just read through an actual newspaper article!" Writing should be okay... if I can remember my kanji. I may have to suck it up and invest in a 電子辞書 [denshi jishou] (electronic dictionary) soon. All the new teachers seem really good. And boy is it nice not to have class from 8:50 to 15:00 five days a week anymore. Of course that means we can't really afford to miss *any* class.
I wonder if my batch has been especially bad... That's the impression I get. Every Japanese class has begun with a review of (by which I mean the sensei repeat multiple times in detail) the JLP rules on attendance (failure if you miss more than 1/3 of the classes). They are also discussing implementing a tardiness rule (up to 10 minutes late is 1/3 of an absence) and in Writing class, Sato-sensei even made a point of saying no eating (or gum-chewing) in class. It's quite obvious news of our bad behaviour has spread through the JLP. I'm so proud. *rolls eyes*
posted by Bibhatsu at 08:05
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