History Department

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Contact Information:

History Department
Appalachian State University
Boone, NC 28608
phone: (828) 262-2282
fax: (828) 262-4976

Chair: Michael Krenn
krennml@appstate.edu

Web: Mary Valante
valantema@appstate.edu

Disclaimer

Japan Center West

The goals and projects of the NC Japan Center - West fall into three main categories: I. academic curriculum support, II. public school outreach, and III liaison to the business community on Japan related issues

Dr. Dorothea Martin, Director of the Center, with two students

I. ACADEMIC CURRICULUM SUPPORT:

A. Working with several academic departments to help create Japan related courses or course components and helped faculty locate and secure funds to assist them in faculty/curriculum development. As a result, Appalachian State now offers Modern Japanese

B. Working with the Department of Foreign Languages and Literature to provide a full-time, permanent Japanese language position.

C. Library grants have helped increase our holdings in Japan related fields.

D. Negotiated the agreement for a student and faculty exchange with Kansai Gaidai in Osaka, Japan.

II. PUBLIC SCHOOL OUTREACH:

A. Secured substantial grants for a two day workshop for secondary social studies teachers on Japan and the Pacific Rim. This was done in cooperation with the regional Social studies coordinator (counted as certificate renewal credit) and provided teachers with a package of lesson plans, background materials, and student handouts and projects. (Conducted twice

B. Artifacts "TRUNKS" (boys, girls, holidays & festivals, and food) that can be circulated to teachers in our service area for use in their classrooms. These material artifacts are designed to aid teacher to create for students tangible awareness of the "things of everyday life" in Japan.

C. Working with the Japanese Consulate in Atlanta, arranging periodic visits of the Japan School Caravan that brings resource people to the local school to do either full or partial day long programs in the area schools.

III. LIAISON TO THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY

A. Japanese Business Culture and Practice Seminars have been conducted in our service area. As more and more Japanese investment enters NC the demand for this information increases. Three such seminars have been conducted.

B Providing introductions for area businesses to the JETRO representative (on special assignment to NC) to assess the prospects for the export of the products of NC firms to the Japanese market.

C. Co-sponsor special business related speakers on campus open to the public.

D. Network with the Small Business and Technology Development Centers, community colleges, and other organizations such as chambers of commerce and the Center for Improving Mountain Living on projects of mutual interest.

These are just some of the more visible activities undertaken by the NC Japan Center - West. If you have interest in any aspect of the JCW programing, contact the director at the email address below.

Dorothea A.L. Martin, Director
NC Japan Center - West
martinda@appstate.edu