JPT 3500   Fall 2006

Final Project Guidelines

Your final project consists of a research paper describing some aspect in which Japan is a global presence.

Look around you in your daily life, scan the news.   Find something in which Japanese pe ople, products, services, institutions have worldwide impact and influence, are present in your world now. 

•           Give the facts.  What, where, how much, how many, among whom. 
•           Give the history.  How did it get there?   Where did it start?  Who were the major players?  What is the long chain of events that brought it to you?
•           Use your own disciplinary method to explain its significance. 

i.e., if you are Poli-sci major, use political science methods and terms. If you are an Art History major, use aesthetic and art history methods and terms.  If you are an English major or EALL use narrative, rhetorical or cultural studies terms, etc.

Possible topics (from among 100’s):

•         Robotics
•         Automobiles
•         Instant ramen
•         Environmental issues and protocols
•         Solar energy
•         International peacekeeping
•         Anime/
•         Gaming
•         Composite materials research
•         Fashion
•         J-pop music

6-8pp., double-spaced, page #s. 

At least 4 sources, no more than 50% world-wide-web sources.  This does not mean avoid the web, there is a lot of good material there.  It does mean you have to find substantial sources, not stray facts, and you need to contextualize and balance with published material.

Better to choose specific companies, individuals to tell a larger story.  Not “gaming, but Nintendo.

Due 13 Dec @12:00

Best of luck!

Best of luck!