Media Studies (1) Comparative Media Studies / Medienvergleich (2) Learning Design Project (LDP) ＊The two projects are possible both as separate projects and as collaborations.
This Seminar consists of two projects: (1) Comparative Media Studies and (2) Learning Environment Design. Participants are required to choose either project depending on their individual research theme, however, a later change is also possible. In this group work-based seminar the students are expected to participate and contribute actively. They will also receive feedback on the content of their own projects. In addition to this seminar’s group work, participants are expected to work with resources not related to their own native language.
Details are as follows:
(1) Comparative media research project
Information related to news and events we come into contact with every day is presented in a variety of media in the form of "words," "pictures," and "videos." The content is shared not only in Japan but also worldwide, such as COVID-19, air pollution, global warming, and the energy transition.
This news content is presented from various perspectives, even on familiar topics. Different broadcast "languages," such as English, German, French, Chinese, Korean, etc., convey different content compared to news content broadcast in Japanese. Differences in media language can also lead to variations in published images, chosen expressions, focus, presentation of issues, etc. Where do these "differences" come from exactly? What do the differences in media representation signify? In this workshop, we will guide the participants in discovering and discussing these issues by raising as questions. The topics will be based on individual awareness of issues in different fields (culture, society, education, literature, religion, art, feminism, sport, etc.). They will be discussed and explored using the collected materials. Some research topics to date have included a comparative analysis of German, British, and US newspaper articles on March 11, the overseas reception of Japanese cartoons and their analysis, a comparison of Japanese and European musical performances, a comparison of non-verbal communication functions in political speeches in Japan and the US, a comparative analysis of clothing design advertising in Japan and the US, and a comparative analysis of sports articles. Investigate the differences between the Japanese and English perspectives on the publication of sports articles, reception, and analysis of literary works through translation, etc.
(2) Designing a learning environment Learning Design Project (LDP)
Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the learning environment surrounding us has transitioned from the era when paper-based media dominated to digital media and web-based learning. Each learner needs to create their own learning style by their preferences, utilizing various types of media. The project will involve various practices, productions, and processes, aiming to answer the question: "How do we design the learning environment?". The project will focus on 1) researching learning styles, 2) creating and utilizing learning materials, and 3) evaluating learning materials. Each learner selects their own research topic, including foreign language learning, design, environment, history, and culture. Some of the works produced in the workshop project include a vocabulary search program that utilizes the German-English database, German learning materials that incorporate video data, a pronunciation exercise program that enables simultaneous voice and facial muscle movements on the web and on the iPhone, a history simulation game for secondary schools, a web-based math learning program for secondary schools, a children's law textbook targeting primary schools, the tea ceremony as a form of lifelong learning, and the development of digital teaching materials for it, etc.