Transpacific Japan

Using a diasporic lens, this course has  closely examined the histories, lives and experiences of Japanese Americans and Japanese while exploring the concepts of resilience, resistance and reconciliation. using this broader lens the class has explored a wide range of Japanese American history from the initial migration to the U.S. in the mid-19th century to current day. In this study the course has afforded students the opportunity to explore the numerous challenges and celebrations of establishing Japanese American communities, while taking note of simultaneous events in homeland Japan and their transnational implications.

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As part of the global Immersion program through the Bellermine College of Liberal Arts at Loyola Marymount University the course culminates with a ten day experiential learning program in Japan. Collaborating with students and professors from Sophia University, Aoyoma Gakuien, and Doshisha University students have had the opportunity to learn about and explore Japanese culture and society while creating knew knowledge in the process. 

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As part of the course students are required to present a research project to be presented at Sophia University (LMU's Jesuit sister school) that looks at and analyzes the 'Japaneseness' of 'Japanese America'. Additionally students are required to compile a photo essay that documents their trip while telling a compelling story about Japanese culture and society. Both can be found on this site. In the spirit of LMU's rich Jesuit traditional series of student blog postings, or reflections can also be found here. 

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