This discussion originated with HTEP teachers see HTEP : Hokkaido Teachers of English Program 2011 Conversation
Make a comment to this post to continue the discussion.
[Items in square brackets are a summary of the HTEP discussions]
Social Studies and Canadian Studies in Japan:
In Canada we study other countries in order to learn about ourselves and the world. We study some history, geography, economics, sociology and civics to understand what it means to be a good citizen. In Alberta, this is called Social Studies.
Does Japan have a subject like Social Studies? If so, what is studied in this subject area?
[In Japan elementary school children study a subject like Social Studies. In Junior High and High school they study separate subjects like Geography, History, Politics, Philosophy and Economics.]
Do students in Japan ever study about Canada? If so, under which subject and at which grade level? What are they expected to learn about Canada?
[Japanese elementary students study world geography, including Canada. In Junior High, they go into more detail. In High School there are choices in studies, which may include studying Geography, History, Politics and Economics]
Alberta Grade 8 Study of Edo and Meiji Japan:
In Alberta Grade 8 students learn about the Edo and Meiji Periods of Japanese History. (See Learning about each other links in the HTEP post)
Grade 8: Isolation during the Edo period.
As part of the study on Worldviews grade 8 students study the effects of cultural isolation (how the Japanese did not welcome foreigners) during the Edo period, how this changed Japan and how the shogun maintained control.
Do Japanese students study Worldviews? What do they study and in what grade?
[Japanese students study worldview as the study History and other subjects. They do not make a specific study of Worldviews as they mostly learn the facts.]
What do Japanese students study about the Edo period? In what grade(s) do they study this?
Do Japanese students study about how Japan isolated themselves (did not welcome foreigners) during this period?
[Japanese students study about the Edo period at all levels. They study similar content to Alberta grade 8 students, except their studies are more detailed and not connected to studying Worldviews}
Grade 8: Adaption during the Meiji Period.
In Grade 8 students also study the effects of rapid adaptation (suddenly interacting with foreigners) during the Meiji period, how this modernized Japan, why and what the changes were from the Edo period and the challenge to maintain traditional culture.
What do Japanese students study about the Meiji period? In what grade(s) do they study this?
Do Japanese students study about how Japan rapidly adapted to modern ways of doing things brought by interaction with the foreigners during this period?
[Studies of the Meiji Period are similar to the Edo period]
Places to Visit in Japan.
Do Japanese students visit historical places related to the Edo and Meiji periods?
[Elementary students visit places in Hokkaido, Junior High students places in Northern Japan, and most High School students visit Southern Japan especially Koto.]
What are the most important historical places related to the Edo and Meiji periods to visit for Canadian teachers and students to visit. See links in the grade 8 curriculum link.
[There are some places in Hokkaido to visit from that period. The Edo Tokyo Museum was also highly recommended. Also the Kyoto area and perhaps Nagasaki. Places that show the similarities between the aboriginal people of Hokkaido and Alberta would be of most interest.]
Travel And Exchange:
We want to encourage more travel and exchange between Alberta and Japan. Alberta already has an Alberta-Japan Office in Tokyo. It promotes economic exchange. Many cities in Alberta have sister cities in Japan: (See http://www.ajtma.com/news.php). These exchanges promote good will between people.
What could Canadian students and teachers learn by visiting Hokkaido and other parts of Japan? Where should they travel? [See above]
What do you think Japanese students and teachers would like to learn and see if they came to Alberta? (See Visitors to Alberta Link on the HTEP post)
[There was not much time to discuss this but festivals and places that show Alberta’s multicultural heritage would be of most interest].
What else could we learn from visiting each other? [Make a commet to this post to continue the discussion.]
