ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses how Japanese language content is incorporated and highlighted in the course “Language, Identity, and Power in Japan.” The class is taught in English, and no language knowledge is required. This course focuses on the establishment of one’s verbal life based on one’s linguistic identities in the context of Japan. Cultural norms are often taken into account in one’s making various language choices. For instance, socially formulated gender identities could affect how men and women speak differently. Through this course, students will deepen their understanding of the dynamic relationship between language use and cultural and social organizations in Japan and improve their analytical skills by critically interpreting concepts in Japanese culture as compared to their own. These concepts are taught through a variety of activities in which the Japanese language content plays a prominent role. This chapter details some of these activities featuring topics such as Japanese honorifics, sexist language, and girl-graphs.
