This sequence of courses is offered fall (JPN310), winter (JPN320) and spring (JPN400). Students acquire depth and breadth for intercultural conversations. Various cultural and social topics — environmental issues and gender issues, compassion for others, the beauty of hard work, power structure, issues with vanity and self-image — are provided to deepen students’ knowledge of Japan and its people through authentic material such as short stories, internet materials, video clips, movies and comic books.