My service learning course is underway. I'll post some reflections on our work in the course soon. For now, here's the syllabus, minus the assignments schedule:
JPN 190 FIRST YEAR SEMINAR: EAST ASIAN CALLIGRAPHY IN THE COMMUNITY
Made possible by a grant from the Center for Community Partnerships at Emory University
Course Description:
The class uses brush calligraphy as a focal point from which to begin exploration of
common values in the cultures of East Asia, and the ways in which some of these values
can enrich life in modern, globalized communities. In premodern China, Japan, and Korea, skill in brush calligraphy was one of the most important attributes of an educated, civilized person; it was regarded as a means of both learning and of demonstrating virtue.
Although it was originally developed in China, as early Koreans and Japanese embraced
Chinese knowledge, they also took on Chinese writing system and calligraphy. Thus,
calligraphy as a means to educate and enrich life in China became an early example of
intercultural exchange in countries far from its point of origin, and continues to offer amedium of common appreciation for people from a wide range of linguistic groups and cultural backgrounds.
During the first few weeks of the class we will read fundamental texts related to
East Asian philosophy. We will also practice the basic strokes of brush calligraphy. In
the second part of the course, we will meet once a week on the Emory campus, and continue our study and discussion of East Asian cultural theory. The second session of class each week will be held at Clarkston Community Center, where we will join the senior learning group in practicing and assisting with students working there (transportation is provided). During the course of these sessions at CCC, students will be invited to consider the applicability of the cultural theory to their own experience, and observe their CCC classmates'experience as well. They will be asked to keep a reflection journal, and to participate in planning and organizing an exhibition of final projects at the CCC.
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