Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
East Asian Languages and Societies Commons™
Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
- Institution
- Keyword
- Publication Type
Articles 1 - 2 of 2
Full-Text Articles in East Asian Languages and Societies
From Undemocratic To Democratic Civil Society: Japan's Volunteer Fire Departments, Mary Alice Haddad
From Undemocratic To Democratic Civil Society: Japan's Volunteer Fire Departments, Mary Alice Haddad
Mary Alice Haddad
How do undemocratic civic organizations become compatible with democratic civil society? How do local organizations merge older patriarchal, hierarchical values and practices with newer more egalitarian, democratic ones? This article tells the story of how volunteer fire departments have done this in Japan. Their transformation from centralized war instrument of an authoritarian regime to local community safety organization of a full-fledged democracy did not happen overnight. A slow process of demographic and value changes helped the organization adjust to more democratic social values and practices. The way in which this organization made the transition offers important lessons for emerging democracies …
Toward Intercultural Competence : Intercultural Training For Japanese Students In The United States, Tomoko Harpster
Toward Intercultural Competence : Intercultural Training For Japanese Students In The United States, Tomoko Harpster
University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations
This thesis project explored how study abroad program administrators can help Japanese students develop intercultural competence through predeparture and ongoing intercultural training so as to improve their capacity to adapt effectively to American cultural norms. The ultimate purpose of this thesis project was to help Japanese students who were studying in the U.S. balance their involvement with their peer group from Japan and build relationships with people in the U.S. in order to fully experience American culture. To provide a context for this study, a review of the literature was conducted regarding the challenges faced by Japanese students while studying …