Environmental Sciences in Japan
The Environmental Sciences in Japan Program (ESJ) is an opportunity designed for natural science and public policy students who want to add international dimensions to their careers at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. This program runs June-August, on the same schedule as the JCMU Summer Intensive Language Program.
This program is comprised of three main components: a Japanese language course focusing on environmental science-related Japanese language, the ESJ keystone course surveying environmental problems and responses, field trips to environmentally sensitive sites, and an environmental studies internship with the University of Shiga Prefecture's School of Environmental Science. JCMU partners with the University of Shiga Prefecture (USP) for these, allowing JCMU students to work alongside with one of over 40 environmental studies graduate students, researchers and professors.
2009 ESJ Course Offerings
- ESJ keystone course [3 credits] – The course will acquaint students with the environmental problems Lake Biwa faces from a wide perspective including political and socio-economic issues affecting the Lake's development and conservation. Classroom study will be augmented by fieldtrips to introduce students to the history of the interaction between the lake and human beings and practical research activities
- Japanese language for Science Majors [3 credits] – This course involves regular course meetings and will pay particular attention to science-related themes, vocabulary, situations, and activities by drawing upon examples from Japanese culture, society and experiences related to the keystone course work. Beyond classroom training, ESJ students are able to apply their increasing language skills in the local community and in internships. Field trips, demonstrations, and other activities, whether organized by the JCMU staff or initiated by students, complement language study.
- ESJ Internship [4 credits] – Students additionally participate in an internship coordinated and supervised by the University of Shiga Prefecture laboratories of the School of Environmental Science. Possible internship topics include various fields of study such as "Ecosystem Studies," "Environmental Planning," "Biological Resources Management," "Socio-Environmental Systems" and "Design and Architecture." Students will be placed in a laboratory which matches their interests.
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