Introduction

Welcome to 米文学史 !

This course is unlike any course you have likely taken before. In this course, the students are the main focus, not the teacher. Students will research music and video and make in-class presentations. After the first few weeks, in which the teacher explains to everyone how to participate in the course, the students will take control of daily activities. The teacher’s role will be to organize the class meetings, select topics, and to help the students create a rewarding class for themselves. He will also create a test based on the students’ research and questions. There is no class textbook.

Students will work in groups to research songs and other documents relating to American history and literature. During the first class meeting, a random drawing will be used to determine groups. There will be eight groups.

Punctual attendance is very important. Everyone must also be to class and seated at 8:40 A.M. so that you do not interrupt others. You have also to pay careful attention to dates of presentations and exams. Groups begin preparing their presentations three weeks before their presentation.

Special note: Because many students will participate in 教育実習, class is cancelled on June 1, June 8, and June 15. An extra class will be held during 前期定期試験 on July 27 and the exam will take place during 補講期間 on August 3. If you will be absent for any reason during another class, it is your responsibility to tell me as soon as possible.

Daily course structure: (90 minutes)
Introduction (5 minutes). Presentation (25 minutes). Group discussion (20 minutes). Presenters’ response (10 minutes). Blogging (20 minutes). Concluding remarks and meeting scheduling (10 minutes).

The main activities of the class are:
1. Research and presentations
2. Group discussions and questions
3. Blogging

Directions for these activities will be posted at the blog by early next week.

A note about language use: In this class, the students will do almost all of the talking. It is not important if you make some mistakes in grammar, and unless your point needs clarification, I will not use class time to correct anyone or to discuss grammar. Blog articles will be written in English. Comments on blog entries can be written in English or Japanese. Groups may summarize their presentations in Japanese after they have spoken in English.

Grades consist of meeting deadlines (25%), participation (40%), the exam (30%), and quality of blog comments (5%). “Participation” includes i) presentations, ii) blog articles, iii) number of blog comments, and iv) attendance (10% each). The exam based upon material from the blog, the presentations, and student questions and comments. To prepare well for the exam, come to every class on time and participate fully.

Anyone arriving late to class receives a 3% grade reduction. Anyone arriving more than 10 minutes late to class is counted as absent and receives a 10% grade reduction.

Finally, it is important that everyone check the blog throughout every week. Use computer labs to access the blog and check for updates and other information, in addition to leaving comments at the blog.

Philip Adamek