Assignment 1: Osaka Guidebook Entry
Project Overview:
Imagine you are a travel writer contributing to Frommer's Guide to Japan. Your task is to create a guidebook entry for a local attraction, restaurant, or shop in Osaka. Your chosen establishment should be one that showcases the unique cultural experiences or flavors of Osaka. (A list of potential options is included in the Study Abroad Guide to get you started, though you are not limited to those options!)
Deliverables:
A 250-300-word
description formatted like a guidebook entry (see Frommer's Guide to Japan, Lonely Planet Guides).
Strategies for Success:
Consider the following suggestions as you craft your guidebook entry:
- Description and
Features: Describe the establishment in detail, highlighting its distinctive
features, architectural style, or historical background. Emphasize the cultural
significance of the attraction, the culinary delights of the restaurant, or the
unique products or services offered by the shop.
- Highlights and
Recommendations: Share the must-see or must-try aspects of the establishment.
Mention any popular attractions, signature dishes, or recommended items that
visitors should not miss.
- Location and
Accessibility: Provide accurate information about the establishment's address,
including any landmarks or notable surroundings. Include details about public
transportation options or parking facilities to help readers easily access the
location.
- Practical
Information: Include important practical details such as opening hours,
admission fees (if applicable), reservation requirements, and any language
considerations for visitors.
- Strategies from our Class Discussion: Historical context, Subjective opinion, Need to know information (directions, hours, cost, time need to complete activity). You might use the following organization: Title, Description + Image (Answer the "Why visit? question.) Location, Hours, Cost, Tips for visiting.
Remember to maintain a professional and informative tone throughout your guidebook entry. Your goal is to inspire readers to visit this local gem and to give them a clear understanding of what they can expect to encounter.
Submission Instructions:
Upload your final draft to the Assignment 2 drop box on the course Google Drive by 11:59 PM on July 10th.
Criteria for Evaluation: Your guidebook
entry should
(1) use vivid and evocative language to paint a verbal picture of your
guidebook selection
(2) follow conventions of travel guide writing (i.e., accessible and
concise language)
(3) be tailored appropriately for the intended audience
Assignment 2: Photo Essay
Project Overview:
In our media-saturated landscape, writing often means more than simply text on a page. For this assignment, you will learn and practice principles of visual rhetoric in order to craft a photo essay about one location, event, or experience during our study abroad program.
Deliverables:
A photo essay
comprised of 5-8 carefully composed and edited images with accompanying
captions of no more than 1,000 words. You can format your photo essay using a
social media platform like Instagram or using the genre conventions of a newspaper
or magazine photo essay (see examples: "Scenes from a Homecoming in Japan's Shiga Prefecture," "Tokyo: Born to Excite," "A Long Walk in a Fading Corner of Japan.")
Strategies for Success:
Consider the following as you craft your photo essay.
- Select your
Destination: Choose a specific location within Japan that holds personal
significance to you or one that you find intriguing and captivating. It could
be a bustling city, a serene countryside, a historical district, or a vibrant
neighborhood.
- Photography and
Editing: Take your own photographs that capture the unique aspects and atmosphere
of your chosen location. Aim to showcase a variety of subjects, such as
landscapes, architecture, local cuisine, people, cultural practices, or any
other elements that make the place distinctive. Pay attention to composition,
lighting, and overall visual appeal. Edit your photos thoughtfully, enhancing
their impact while maintaining a natural and authentic feel.
- Captions and
Accompanying Text: Craft concise and impactful captions that complement your
photos, providing essential context or insights. Total captions for the photo
essay should not exceed 1000 words. Use your words wisely to convey the
significance, history, or cultural significance of the subject in the
photograph.
- Storytelling
and Flow: Organize your photos and captions in a way that tells a cohesive and
engaging story about the destination. Consider the visual flow and narrative
progression, allowing readers to immerse themselves in the place through your
images. Your essay should have a clear beginning, middle, and end, with each
photograph and caption contributing to the overall narrative.
- Embrace
Creativity and Authenticity: Infuse your photo essay with your unique
perspective and personal experiences.
Remember, the focus of this assignment is primarily visual, so ensure that your photographs take center stage. Use your words sparingly but effectively to enhance the impact of your images. Be mindful of the guidelines provided by the format you choose.
Submission Instructions:
Upload your final draft to the Assignment 2 drop box on the course Google Drive by 11:59 PM on July 24th.
Criteria for Evaluation: Your photo essay
should
(1) use principles of visual design effectively in your photo
composition
(2) tell a story with your photo selections and arrangement
(3) use captions judiciously to provide context and meaning
Assignment 3: Travel Blog/Vlog
Project Overview:
In this assignment, you and your fellow students will contribute to a collaboratively authored class blog that captures the essence of our study abroad program.
Deliverables:
You will write
two one-page (roughly 500 word) blog posts describing your daily experiences in
our study abroad program. You will upload your blog and an accompanying photo
to our class blog. As travel writing is often multimodal, you are welcome to
construct your entries for Assignment 3 as a vlog (a 2 to 5-minute video)
instead. Here are a few examples to get you started: (Nomadic Matt, The Blonde Abroad, Solo Solo Travel.)
Strategies for Success:
You will each be assigned two days to blog about (as noted on the course calendar). Ensure that you are aware of your assigned days and have a clear understanding of what activities, excursions, or cultural experiences took place during that time. For those of you assigned to a blog on a free day, you’re welcome to describe whatever adventures you choose for your day off.
Consider the following as you craft your blog/vlog entries:
- Title: Choose
an engaging title that captures the essence of your experience on the assigned
day.
- Highlights:
Share the most memorable moments or experiences from the day. Discuss what made
these moments special or significant to you.
- Cultural
Insights: Reflect on the cultural aspects you observed or learned during the
day. Discuss how these experiences deepened your understanding of Japanese
culture, traditions, or daily life.
- Personal Reflections: Offer your personal reflections on the day's events. Share how the experiences impacted you, what you learned about yourself, and any personal growth or challenges you encountered.
Submission Instructions:
Upload your blog posts by 11:59PM on the following day (that is, if you are assigned to blog on July 16th, your post is due by end of day July 17th.) If your assigned date falls on a free day, you may upload your post for the assigned day by 11:59PM on the next regularly scheduled class/field trip day.
Criteria for Evaluation: Your blog
should
(1) provide a thoughtful summary of your day
(2) follow guidelines of writing for the web (headings, chunking, “layer
cake” model, etc)
(3) take advantage of multimedia resources (image, video, links, etc)
Assignment 4: Travel
Feature Article
Project Overview:
In this assignment, you will have the opportunity to share a captivating
first-person feature travel article about a specific part of your experience in
Japan. Your article should be roughly 1250 words long and provide readers with an
engaging and informative account of your encounter with a particular aspect of
Japanese culture, a memorable destination, or a unique experience.
Deliverables:
You will write
a 1250-word feature article that includes a side-bar with service information. Here are a few examples to get you started: "88 Temples, 750 Miles, Untold Gifts: Japan's Shikoku Pilgrimage," "In Tokyo, Skipping the Hot and New for the Enduring Haunts," "36 Hours in Kyoto."
Strategies for Success: Consider the following guidelines as your work on your feature article:
- Select a Focus:
Choose a specific theme or highlight from your overall experience in Japan. It
could be a cultural event, a historical landmark, a local tradition, a culinary
adventure, or any other aspect that left a lasting impression on you. Ensure
that the topic you select is rich enough to allow for a detailed and immersive
exploration within the word count.
- First-Person
Perspective: Write your article in the first person, narrating your personal
experience and providing insights from your own perspective.
- Introduction
and Background: Begin with an attention-grabbing introduction that sets the
stage for your experience and provides necessary background information.
- Detailed
Description: Dive into the heart of your experience, offering readers a
detailed account of what you encountered. Describe the sights, sounds, smells,
and tastes that surrounded you. Share anecdotes, interactions with locals, and
any unique or unexpected aspects of your adventure.
- Cultural
Insights: Provide cultural insights and context related to your chosen topic.
Explain the significance of the experience within Japanese culture, its
historical background, or any related customs or traditions.
Submission Instructions:
Upload your final draft to the Assignment 2 drop box on the course
Canvas page by 11:59 PM on July 31st.
Criteria for Evaluation: Your article
should
(1) tell a story about a place, people, or culture
(2) offer a richly descriptive and thoughtful reflection of your experience
(3) abide by conventions of edited journalistic writing
Assignment 5: Final Reflection
Project Overview:
As the summer study abroad program in Japan comes to an end, it’s time to reflect on your experience. In this assignment, you will write a thoughtful and introspective reflection about our program at Osaka Metropolitan University.
Deliverables:
Your final
reflection should be one single-spaced page (500 words) at minimum. You are
welcome to write more if you wish!
Strategies for Success:
Use the recommended topics below as a starting place to craft your
reflection. You may decide to use a different narrative structure if desired.
- Introduction:
Begin your reflection with an engaging introduction that sets the context for
your study abroad experience. Describe your initial expectations and feelings
before embarking on this journey, including any specific goals or aspirations
you had in mind.
- Cultural
Exchange: Reflect on your interactions with locals and fellow international
students. Discuss how these exchanges influenced your perspective on cultural
diversity, global interconnectedness, and the importance of intercultural
communication. Share any memorable moments of friendship, understanding, or
challenges that arose from cross-cultural interactions.
- Academic
Growth: Evaluate your academic growth and the impact of studying in a foreign
academic environment. Discuss the courses you took, the teaching methods
employed, and the new perspectives you gained from your professors and fellow
students. Share how your studies abroad enriched your understanding of your
major or field of study.
- Personal
Development: Explore how this study abroad experience contributed to your
personal development. Reflect on the challenges you encountered and how you
grew as an individual through overcoming them. Discuss any changes in your
perspectives, beliefs, or values as a result of being immersed in a new
culture. Share how this experience influenced your worldview and future goals.
- Future Implications/Conclusion: Discuss how this study abroad experience will impact your future academic and career goals. Share how you plan to integrate this experience into your future endeavors, whether through further academic pursuits, career choices, or personal growth.
Submission Instructions:
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