Dr. Hamako Furuhata
Department: Japanese
What type of interesting features do you incorporate into your classes?
I try to incorporate Japanese cultural issues in the class and sometimes I talk about Japan and Japanese culture, using my own experience. I sometimes talk about studying abroad and how it is an interesting program and how it is very important for learning Japanese. For the Japanese major, it is required. We also go to a Japanese restaurant at least once a semester and enjoy Japanese food.
In your opinion, how is Mount Union College unique from other small liberal arts colleges?
We have a Japanese major in our college and many schools do not have it, so it is very unique. You can also minor in Japanese. In the Japanese program, we have a film course called “Japanese Literature Translation” and a Japanese culture class. These two courses are especially unique and not many schools have them. Many students also study abroad. Every semester I have three or four students study abroad in Japan, so the program is quite popular at Mount Union College.
How do Mount Union students benefit from attending a small school as opposed to a larger school?
I think we have a lot of interaction between professors and students and a lot of communication between both. We also have independent study, which allows students to spend individual time with professors.
Have you done any interesting research or developed any interesting courses at Mount Union? If so, explain.
As I mentioned above we offer two unique courses. The students can learn Japanese and Japanese literature through those courses.
What kinds of opportunities do Mount Union students have after graduating from College?
The students can go to Japan to teach English (JET program). Also the students can work for Japanese companies in the United States. Japanese companies in Ohio make up the largest number among the foreign companies in Ohio.
In what activities do you participate in your spare time?
I watch movies and TV, go shopping, garden and mow in the summer time, clean the house and spend time with my cat.