South Florida's Center for Studies of Japan in the Global Environment

K-12 Lesson Plans from JapaNet Project are now available in PDF format online.

A professional development project for certified K-12 teachers and other participants funded by the Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnerships, as well as a network of Japan related organizations in South Florida.

Project Overview (2004-2007)

This project is an ideal introduction to Japanese culture, history, and society that demonstrates to teachers how to infuse Japanese materials into their classrooms.

In addition to the topics listed above, the project also develops the following three themes:

Japan-U.S. Relations in the Post-Perry Era

Building on the 2003-04 celebrations of the arrival of Perry and opening of Japan-U.S relations taking place in Miami, this theme examines developments in public affairs and political theory, including contemporary trade and economic issues with an emphasis on pre- and post-war eras.

Japanese Migrations to the Americas and National Identity

In connection with the centennial anniversary of the settlement of the Yamato Japanese colony in South Florida that will be commemorated by the Morikami Museum in 2005, JapaNet will examine Japanese diaspora in North America and Latin America, with an emphasis on Brazil, Peru and representative smaller settlements in the Caribbean, including returnees to Japan.

Global Exchange in the Post-Bubble Era

The final year focuses on the overall impact on Japan and Japanese heritage communities in light of globalization trends, including trade policies and regulation, socialization and assimilation, and expressions of ethnic identity.