ABERDEEN, S.D. – The Northern State University School of Education’s Dr. Anna Schwan has been awarded an American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) Japan Studies Institute Fellowship.
Schwan, assistant professor of education, will attend a two-week intensive institute in San Diego, Calif., this summer, which will be focused on the study of modern Japan. Schwan was chosen as one of thirteen individuals across the United States to be awarded the fellowship Nearly all of her costs to attend the event are covered by the fellowship.
The Japan Studies Institute (JSI) offers college and university faculty members without prior experience in Japanese studies to learn from scholars, business leaders, artists and journalists about Japan, both past and present. The institute encourages participants to develop strategies for incorporating Japanese studies into courses on their campuses. The institute involves two weeks of intensive seminars, lectures, readings, films and cultural activities related to Japanese history, culture, literature, government, business, language and education.
Previous programs have included topics as diverse as wartime and occupation Japan, social relations and the changing role of women in Japan, Japanese foreign policy and regional relations, classical music, ikebana, calligraphy, introductory Japanese, Japanese film in the classroom, and philosophical and religious traditions in Japan. Classes are held Monday through Friday, from morning until late afternoon. The formal program is complemented by a number of off-campus and evening activities. Institute faculty will include scholars, representatives from the local Japanese community, artists, journalists and government officials.
“I am incredibly proud to have been selected for a fellowship to attend the Japan Studies Institute. The core of who I am as an educator is to foster a love for lifelong learning in my future teachers, and I am so excited to be given this opportunity to learn more about the Japanese culture,” said Schwan. “Education is so much more than what can be read in books; it’s the experiences, the people and the stories that breathe life into our classrooms. I consider this adventure in cultural appreciation a gift that I will lovingly share with my students at NSU who will, in turn, share it with their own someday.”
About Northern State University
Northern State University is a regional university that offers outstanding academics and exceptional extracurricular activities at an affordable price on a safe, welcoming campus. Northern State recently announced its Educational Impact Campaignwith a goal of raising $55 million for a new South Dakota School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, new athletic and recreation fields, and an on-campus regional sports complex. Once the campaign is complete, NSU will be the recipient of more than $100 million in privately funded building projects and scholarships within a decade. To learn more, visit NSU Admissions.