Course Descriptions

Intro to US Culture
In this course, you will reflect on your experience in United States in a variety of ways. You will identify cultural similarities and differences between Japan and the US, and discuss cross-cultural issues. You will examine your homestay experience, and the preexisting beliefs that you had about American life. In all of these activities, you will be developing your skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing in English.

Photojournal Project
Through the medium of photojournalism, you will explore one American community and its culture. As a group, you will create a document - "A Month in the Life of Monterey - Shimane Style." The final project will be presented on the final day of the program to showcase your talents to your instructors and your host families.

Current Events Content Course
This class will focus on recent political and social issues that affect the US and its relationship with the world. You will use different forms of media such as newspapers, magazines, TV, and the Internet to collect information that will give you a broad view of current events, and then bring that information to class through group presentations, discussions or projects.

Practical Language Use
Communicating in a foreign language can be a challenge. In this class you will work on the basic skills you need to communicate with people you meet in the community (host family, waiters, cashiers, etc.). By looking at different situations and the language that is used, this class will help you develop the vocabulary and communicative skills necessary to communicate effectively during your stay in Monterey.

Community Exploration
This course will provide you with the opportunity to observe and interact with Americans in an employee or volunteer setting. Program coordinators will set up weekly visits to various community organizations, and will require you to ask questions and reflect in writing on the visits. This course will provide an authentic context for you to use the skills gained in your other Joint Summer Program courses.

Panel Discussion: An American Life Forum
In this course, you will first prepare for, then listen to, and finally reflect on presentations given by panels that are topically related to a particular aspect of American life and culture. This class will not only allow you to learn about different parts of American life and culture, but will also develop your listening comprehension and vocabulary skills.