curr

Topic B CULTURAL TRANSITION - A CASE STUDY OF JAPAN

The intent of this study is to help students understand cultural transition.
Students will study the changes that have occurred in Japanese culture in the past century.

ISSUES AND QUESTIONS FOR INQUIRY

Issues and questions can provide a focus for teachers to organize the knowledge, skill and attitude objectives for instructional purposes. Teachers are encouraged to address several issues and questions for inquiry. In each topic, at least one issue and one question must be addressed using appropriate inquiry strategies. (Refer to page B.2 for definitions.) Teachers are encouraged to adapt these and to develop other questions and issues for inquiry and research.

Major:

How does culture change?

To what extent should change within a culture be encouraged?

Related:

What changes have taken place in Japanese culture?

What influences cultures to change?

What aspects of traditional Japanese culture have been retained?

What impact has contact with other societies had on Japanese culture?

How do people respond to cultural change?

What influences has Japanese culture had on your culture?

KNOWLEDGE OBJECTIVES: Students will demonstrate an understanding of the following:

MAJOR GENERALIZATION

Cultural transition occurs as a result of internal and external influences.

GENERALIZATIONS	CONCEPTS	RELATED CONCEPTS/TERMS/FACTS
Change results from one or a combination of causes.	agents of change	- technology - natural environment (resources, geographic isolation) - contact with other cultures - invention - aftermath of World War II
Change is a continuous process occurring unevenly within cultures.	transition	- lifestyles · communication · socialization (institutions, etc.) · beliefs/values · role (worker, family, etc.) - adaptation
Some aspects of culture are more enduring than others.	cultural retention	- traditional way of life · communication · socialization (institutions, etc.) · beliefs/values · role (worker, family, etc.)

SKILL OBJECTIVES – Students will be able to do the following:

PROCESS SKILLS
Locating/Interpreting/Organizing
Analyzing/Synthesizing/Evaluating

COMMUNICATION SKILLS

PARTICIPATION SKILLS

ATTITUDE OBJECTIVES - Students will be encouraged to develop:

Appreciation of change as a common feature of life in all cultures.
Empathy for people experiencing change.
Willingness to consider opinions and interpretations different from their own.
Sensitivity to the customs and beliefs of cultural groups other than their own.