Dr. Beverly Moon, associate professor of English and Coordinator of the Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies degree program, has been awarded a Sasakawa Fellowship through the American Association of State Colleges and Universities.
The fellowship will support Moon’s participation in the National Faculty Development Institute on “Incorporating Japanese Studies into the Undergraduate Curriculum” at San Diego State University June 1 to June 23, 2006.
The award covers institute tuition, housing, some transportation costs and a daily stipend for meals and other expenses.
Designed for faculty without prior experience in Japanese studies who wish to incorporate information about Japan into the undergraduate courses they teach, the institute intends to introduce “participants to a comprehensive range of teaching and learning resources related to the study of modern Japan.”
It involves four weeks of intensive seminars, lectures, readings and cultural activities focused on Japanese culture, literature, history, government, business and education. The staff includes internationally recognized Japan scholars from across the United States and abroad.
Made possible by a generous endowment from the Nippon Foundation, Moon contends she applied for the Sasakawa Fellowship because her interest in interdisciplinary studies, cross-cultural experiences and study-abroad programs. Further, she felt it imperative to provide such opportunities to Delta State students.
“I hope that the classes I teach will benefit from my increased awareness of Japanese culture, history, language and business – an awareness that corresponds to what I stress is essential for my students in our world: global interests, international perspectives and multidisciplinary focuses,” she maintained.
In addition to taking the Japan Studies experience directly to her classroom, she is also planning to bring programs and exhibits that highlight the cultural experience of Japan to the campus.
Set to begin her eighth year of service at Delta State University this fall, Moon is a member of the American Association of University Professors and the American Association of University Women.
