Japanese Research & Bibliographic Methods for Undergraduates: Class & Curriculum

Document Type

Other

Publication Date

2012

Abstract

Japanese Research and Bibliographic Methods is an information literacy course created by Professor Susanna Fessler of the University at Albany. The curriculum introduces students to the processes of locating, assessing, and using information resources in the context of Japanese studies. Designed for undergraduates, the class has been created with the expectation that students will have completed at least one year of Japanese language study. The first half of the course focuses on using libraries and key reference tools in Japanese studies. These include navigating databases, using kanji dictionaries, understanding different systems of Romanization, and correctly using bilingual citations. The second half of the course focuses on constructing a thesis, writing for a scholarly audience, and research within specific disciplines central to the field of Japanese studies. Students apply the knowledge gained in class to create an annotated bibliography as their final project. For many undergraduates this course is the first time they have been expected to apply their language skills to conducting research in Japanese. There are 25 lessons, each with course readings, power point slides, scans of important reference works with annotations, and homework assignments. Accompanying documentation includes a midterm, final exam, and a final project. Each comes with sample versions and rubrics. Each lesson or the entire curriculum can do downloaded from the NCC Website. All materials may be edited and tailored to local instructional needs. The curriculum may be freely used and modified to local needs.

Comments

Published under a Creative Commons License on the North American Council for Japanese Library Resources website.

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