Course Description/Objectives:

Hosted in Japan, this course offers students a unique opportunity to examine the relationship between culture and technology use in the context of Japanese communication and gaming. Industry site visits will provide previews of emerging services and games and the requisite market research. Companies recruited for the site visits include mobile phone service providers, game developers, and broadcasting facilities. Arguably, the most exciting part of the course will be an extensive series of field trips to historic Japanese sites. Lastly, to optimize our students’ experience, Japanese language lessons and social events will be organized.
The four thematic areas of this course are:

1. Technology:
   Wireless; Mobile Devices; Next-Gen Game Consoles; Emerging technology.



2. Culture:
   Perspectives and dimensions of culture; Individual traits; Societal norms; Language.



3. Communication:
   Computer-Mediated Communication; Online Identities; Relating Online.



4. Games:
   Game Development; Game Markets; Mobile Games; Games and Society.

Course Costs:

1. Program fees (includes two weeks of accommodations): Estimated at $1,350
2. Not included: Tuition fees (5 or 6 credits; TBD)
3. Not included: Air fare - Detroit to Tokyo: ~$900 (fares have ranged from $650-1,200)
4. Not included: Meals (~$350), local transportation (~$400), spending money (~$500)

Course Format:

• Prior to departure:
  5 class sessions from 6-9 p.m. or equivalent
  E.g. 2 Tuesdays and Thursdays in April; subject to enrolled students' schedules
• Depart from Detroit on Monday, May 5
• Arrive in Tokyo (Base 1 - Hotel Asia Center of Japan), Japan, on Tuesday, May 6
• Company site visits: Wednesday-Friday, May 7-9
• Transfer to Base 2 (either the Japan Center for Michigan Universities in Hikone or Kyoto), Japan, on Sunday, May 11
• Cultural trips: Monday-Thursday, May 12-15
  (Hikone, Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Hiroshima, Miyajima, Yokohama, Asakusa - optional: Nagoya, Fuji)
• Transfer back to Tokyo (Base 1 hotel), Japan, on Friday, May 16,
• Company site visits: Friday, May 16
• Cultural trips: Saturday – Sunday (both weeks)
• Free evenings
• Depart May 19 - assistance with alternative accommodations may be arranged for an earlier/later arrival/departure.

Course Outline:

Course Materials

Optional textbook: Wood, A.F., and Smith, M.J. (2005) Online Communication: Linking Technology, Identity, and Culture, 2nd Edition. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

Grading:

1. Participation: 30 %
2. Blogging Assignment: 40 %
3. Technology Review: 30 %
4. Paper (for TC 490/890): 100 % (due on June 9, 2008)

About the Instructor:

Constantinos K. Coursaris holds a dual appointment at Michigan State University. Dr. Coursaris is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Telecommunication, Information Studies, and Media, as well as an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Usability and Accessibility Center. His formal training consists of a B.Eng. in Aerospace, an MBA in e-Business, and a Ph.D. in Information Systems with a concentration on electronic business (e-Business) and mobile commerce (m-Commerce). His doctoral dissertation focused on “Contextual Usability: The Impact of Distraction on User Performance, Satisfaction, and Adoption of Mobile Devices for Wireless Data Services”.

During his academic career he has received many accolades in business analysis and e-Business research and development. Constantinos has been involved in the instruction of over 30 university courses over the last 6 years. He has also gained consulting experience having worked repeatedly as a contractor for McMaster University, focusing on Web content management, Website development and event organizing. Constantinos has also held management positions in retail, hospitality, and information technology (IT). His current research interests lie in the intersection of usability and mobile devices for the purpose of health and/or commercial applications. The results of his research efforts can be found in his numerous publications and conference presentations.