Foreign Students

SPACE-E, CONDUCTED IN ENGLISH

SPACE-E students are able to register in courses throughout the university after consulting and obtaining permission from their academic advisor. Students in the Faculty of Science and Engineering and the Faculty of Agriculture will be required to conduct “independent study” with 2 or 4 credits. Their supervisor will provide guidance at the beginning of the period and necessary advice and assistance throughout the program. See the description in the overview of SPACE-E for more information.

COURSES IN THE STUDENT’S MAJOR

FACULTY OF EDUCATION

An introduction to second language acquisition and pedagogy(Fall; 2 credits)
This course is designed to introduce students to key issues surrounding second language acquisition and pedagogy, and also to provide rudimentary training in social science research methods. In so doing, we will reflect upon our own first and second language learning experiences, whilst also comparing and contrasting second/foreign language pedagogy across different educational contexts. We will then design and carry out a mini project (i.e., fieldwork) in the latter half of the course, which involves observing foreign language lessons and/or collecting empirical data within a given topic.

Environmental Conservation and Education in Contemporary Japan (Spring; 2 credits)

This lecture will explain recent dietary habits of Japanese people based on some ﬁndings; such as national health and nutrition examination survey. In recent Japan, we are confronted by the slide down of average life span of Japanese in the world, the increase of care-receiver or the elderly requiring nursing care (= decline of healthy life expectancy), the increasing of life style related diseases (obesity (adiposis), ischemic heart disease, diabetes, etc). This lecture will examine the relationship between Japanese-style meals (washoku) and the long average life span of Japanese people.

FACULTY OF ART AND REGIONAL DESIGN

Japan & Southeast Asia in the Colonial & Postcolonial World (Fall; 2 credits)

Even in the current post-Cold War era, the relationship between Japan and Southeast Asia is still inﬂuenced by various historical aspects of their prewar and wartime relationships. This course gives a historical overview of the political, economic and cultural exchanges between Japan and Southeast Asia. Kyushu’s unique role in the Japanese “southward advance movement” of the prewar period will be also discussed in the lecture.

Key Concept in Art (Fall; 2 credit)

We will link intercultural communication, art and regional design by studying the preservation and revitalization of traditional culture in Saga using English as a Lingua Franca.

Introduction to Grammar Development: Implementing Grammar of a language on Parser (Spring; 2 credits)

This course will offer hands-on experiences to those who are interested in formalizing linguistic knowledge (speciﬁcally, syntax) on a parser. The instructor will give lectures on how to specify rules of SV, SVO, SVC, PP and Past/Present of English (or Japanese) on the parser. Students will undertake projects to model the patterns (or some of these patterns) of their own native language or the native language of a classmate.
The parser we use is Earley, which was invented by Jerry Morgan and works with very basic rules in linguistics, rewriting rules, and so, students in humanities and sciences interested in logical investigations of languages are welcome.

Art in Context (Spring; 2 credit)

We will explore the personal and political nature of communities and cultural institutions focusing on dance and other types of social activity

FACULTY OF ECONOMICS

Contemporary Social and Economic Issues in Japan (Fall; 2 credits)

This course examines several contemporary issues in Japanese society with focus on changing economic environment and social condition. In the process, the current situation of the Japanese economy and society as seen by statistics, management changes in Japanese companies, and the role of Japan’s economy in Asia will be discussed. By investigating these, the lecture encourages students to critically assess both opportunities and risks of contemporary Japanese economy and society.

Economics for Developing Countries (Spring; 2 credits)

The main objective of this subject is to provide basic knowledge of Asia’s development experience. The subject aims to discuss the theoretical and practical experience of socioeconomic development for developing countries in Asia during the post-WWII period. It also expects to discuss. Japan’s economic relationship with Asian (regarding import/ export, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and Oﬃcial Development Assistance (ODA)).

FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING

Topics of Science and Engineering A (Fall; 2 credits)

This course outlines research topics in each of the seven divisions of the Faculty of Science and Engineering of Saga University and gives short lectures on each topic in “omnibus” style. We will have discussions during the lectures, and you will receive exercises on each research topic.

Topics of Science and Engineering B (Spring; 2 credits)

This course outlines research topics (diﬀerent from those in
A) in each of the seven divisions of the Faculty of Science and Engineering of Saga University and gives short lectures on each topic in “omnibus” style. We will have discussions during
the lectures, and you will receive exercises on each research topic.

FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE

Introduction to agriculture A: Production and Management (Fall; 2 credits)

Introduction to the advances in the food production, crop/animal breeding, ecological conservation, management and development of agriculture. (omnibus style).

Introduction to Agriculture B-Food and Environment (Spring; 2 credits)

Introduction to the advances in food science, food nutrition, and the environment of agriculture production and information.

INDEPENDENT STUDIES

(Spring and Fall; each 2 or 4 credits)

SPACE provides exchange students an opportunity to conduct “Independent Studies” with your supervisor. You need to write a research ﬁeld and topic and possibly professor’s name on your application form. For the students in the Faculty of Science and Engineering and the Faculty of Agriculture, Independent Study with your supervisor is compulsory. You need to write a research ﬁeld and topic and possibly professor’s name on your application form. You can ﬁnd the lists of professors together with their research topics. Please refer to the following URL to search information about professors and their specialization.

http://research.dl.saga-u.ac.jp/search/index.html?lang=en

SUBJECTS OF GENERAL EDUCATION, OFFERED IN ENGLISH

SPACE-E students can register for English courses in General Education, as given below, and study contents together with regular Saga University 1st-year or 2nd-year students. The contents of the courses are about natural science, cultures, societies, etc. The number of the international students who can join each course is limited. The joining students also satisfies the English proficiency level each course.

Introduction to Science (Fall; 2 credits)

The subject content of Introduction to Science will be the introduction of recent advancements in each department of Science and Engineering Faculty. Each lecture will be conducted in English by defined faculty member of each department for easy understanding by the participants.

Breakthroughs in the Modern Age(Spring; 2 credits)
The Natural World (Spring;2 credits
Sustainable Society(Spring;2 credits)
Critical Thinking for the Modern Age(Fall; 2 credits)
Cultural Metaphors(Fall; 2 credits)
Western Culture Citizenship Education (Spring; 2 credits)
Life in the Global World (Fall; 2 credits)

INTERFACE SUBJECTS OF CROSS- CULTURAL INTERACTIONS/異文化交流科目

(Fall and Spring; 2 credits per semester)

OGE (Organization for General Education) of Saga University offers courses for Cross-cultural Interaction to international students together with Japanese students. International students should be aware that while they are encouraged to take these courses, the number of available class slots might differ among the classes offered. For example, some courses allow for one-half of the total number of students to be international students with the other half consisting of Japanese students. Other courses conducted in English however will accept only a limited number of international students who are expected to be “English” mentors and help lead the class. How international students enroll and participate in courses vary from course to course. Please read the description of the enrollment for each course for Cross-cultural Interaction here.
佐賀大学の日本人学生や、ほかの留学生とともに履修する科目です。討論や調査などの授業活動を通じて、異文化交流について学びます。

FIELDWORK ON JAPANESE AFFAIRS, OFFERED IN ENGLISH/英語による日本事情研修

The class consists of students’ Project work and field work/trip. We also have some workshops. Students can get to know better Japan, Kyushu or Saga or the people of Japan, Kyushu or Saga by experiencing its culture and affairs directly by themselves.
プロジェクトワーク、フィールドトリップ、ワークショップ等で構成される授業です。文化体験を通じて、日本、九州、佐賀およびそこに住む人々について学びます。