New 400-level Japanese Course for Winter 2013

JAPAN 460: Languages and Cultures of Okinawa Learn about Okinawan language endangerment, language policy, multilingualism, linguistic fieldwork while gaining insight into the history, politics and culture(s)/ society of Okinawa. We will closely examine one of the minority languages, Miyako, to gain a deeper understanding of these issues. Students will give reports focusing on areas such as education, religion, sports, music, dance, food, the Ryuukyuu Kingdom, and the US military presence. Click the ttitle for more information!

3 December 2012

JAPAN 460-X50: Languages and Cultures of Okinawa

Time: TR 6:00-7:20 pm Winter 2013 - class 78572

Instructor: Yoshi Ono

Prerequisites: Japan 301 and one linguistics course
Interested? Questions?: email tono@ualberta.ca

This is an overview course which highlights various linguistic and socio-cultural aspects of Okinawa, Japan, which used to be an independent kingdom and consists of hundreds of small islands between Kyuushuu, Japan and Taiwan. We study language endangerment, language policy, multilingualism, language documentation, and linguistic fieldwork while giving an introduction to the history, politics, and culture/society of Okinawa. We closely examine one of the minority languages, Miyako, to gain a deeper understanding of these issues. Students will give reports focusing on areas such as education, religion, sports, music, dance, food, the Ryuukyuu Kingdom, and the US military presence. A basic knowledge of linguistics and Japanese is essential for the course.