Recording-2025-02-21T18:01:22.904Z

Aloha Friday Introduction

• Celebrating Hawaiian culture by wearing aloha clothes.

• Personal experience of living in Hawaii for six years and pursuing a PhD.

• Enjoyment of cultural elements like music, featuring Jake Shimabukuro on ukulele.

Upcoming Quiz and Exam Details

• Quiz scheduled for today at the end of class.

• Review of the study guide is a priority for student questions.

• Next exam will take place next Friday from 1 PM to 2 PM.

• Allocated 60 minutes for the exam due to Brightspace setup.

Exam Logistics

• Students should prepare in advance with notes and materials during allocated time.

• Format: 50 questions total, covering key terms, short answers, and readings.

  • Part 1: 25 questions, 2 points each on key terms.

  • Part 2: Short answer questions related to course content.

  • Additional 10 questions based on final reading material.

• No starting and stopping; exam should be taken in one continuous session.

• Open notes policy allows usage of materials during the exam.

Key Terms and Questions

• Emphasizing the importance of key terms for part 1 of the exam.

• Short answer questions will likely incorporate key terms; study both areas together.

• Topics of focus include:

  • Japan's Three Unifiers

  • Key themes from the book, Silence by Shusaku Endo.

Understanding Silence

• Key figure: Father Rodriguez, narrator dealing with faith and cultural conflict during his mission in Japan.

• Importance of analyzing Japanese peasants' faith and martyrdom as challenges to Rodriguez's understanding.

• Importance of being aware of broader context and secondary characters presented in the novel.

Characters and Their Roles

• Key figures include:

  • Father Rodriguez

  • Ferreira

  • Various Japanese peasants (Mokichi, Ichizo, Kichijiro).

• Understanding character motivations and their implications on the narrative.

Film Adaptation by Martin Scorsese

• The film adaptation of Silence in 2016 with major actors like Andrew Garfield and Liam Neeson.

• Differences in focus between the film and the novel; the film leans towards Rodriguez's mental state instead of the broader cultural reflection found in the book.

Study Guide and Examination Strategies

• Study guide available with emphasis on bonus questions.

• Total of five bonus questions available, contributing additional points to final grade.

• Importance of answering bonus questions, as they can positively impact grades.

Conclusion of Class

• Wrap up of introductory material regarding Japan's Christian Century, setting stage for future learning.

• Encouragement to ask questions anytime, through email if necessary.

• Reminder to prepare for the upcoming exam, utilizing all available resources including the study guide.