Study Abroad
Study Abroad
ANT 390 / MDL 390 Japan: Culture, Communication, and Identity
May 20 - June 10, 2014
MSU Denver’s Study Abroad program in Japan provides undergraduate students with valuable
international experience, with opportunities to study Japanese language and culture and practice
ethnographic field methods. Established in 2012, the program explores Japanese culture,
communication, and identity in three distinct regions of Japan – Tokyo, Kyoto, and Okinawa.
The program begins in Denver with pre-departure instruction on Japanese history, political
economy, and communication. Instructors Rebecca Forgash and Su Il Kim then meet students
in Tokyo, where they spend one week exploring metropolitan history and society, including
visits to the Imperial Palace, Tsukiji fish market, and Harajuku. In Tokyo, the group will meet
with local activists, university students, and community organizations involved in post-disaster
reconstruction efforts. The second week is spent in Kyoto, where the group explores Japan’s
traditional arts and religious culture, with visits to Nijo Castle, Kiyomizu Temple, and the Gion
geisha quarter. A day trip to the ancient capital city of Nara is included. From Kyoto, we fly
to Okinawa for a final week exploring the island’s rich World War II history, contemporary
military base culture, and emerging tourism economy.
Students record their experiences in a field journal, write reflection papers, and turn in a final
research paper on a topic they have developed in consultation with the faculty and supported
by Japanese resource people. The program concludes with day-long post-travel session back
in Denver. Students will earn 6 upper-division credits in Anthropology (ANT) or Modern
Languages (MDL). No background in Japanese language or anthropology is required.
Contact Rebecca Forgash at rforgash@msudenver.edu
Nicaragua: Land of Lakes and Volcanoes
The trip to Nicaragua in 2011 offered students a chance for service learning with several non-government organizations, coupled with practice in fieldwork methods. This three credit course visited three cities in Nicaragua, and an organic coffee farm. For more information, please contact Dr. Julie Reyes at jreyes7@msudenver.edu
