道 Michi/Dou (The Way)- The word represents both physical and metaphysical meanings in different contexts and disciplines in East Asia. In this course, we will examine what skills, disciplines, philosophy, and virtues are associated when people practice Japanese arts such as fine arts, performing arts, and martial arts by exploring the ways the Grand Masters (e.g., Sen Rikyu, Ikenobo Senkei, Zeami, Miyamoto Musashi, etc.) crafted each discipline from the Nara Period, the Edo Period, and to today with the goal of reaching enlightenment and passing the knowledge and skills down to the pupils through apprenticeships. Furthermore, we take a close look at how some of the moral codes and behaviors have influenced modern societies and how their beliefs have reached other cultures. Students will regularly read articles (e.g., excerpts from books, scholarly journals, historical writings, poems, etc.); view the segments of the related movies and documentaries, discuss, and analyze the topics. Students are also given the opportunities to engage in research on the topics of their own choosing, create the final deliverables and present their findings in class. Students may present at the Mini-Monterey Model event. While studying these topics, students will learn linguistic features such as advanced grammar, kanji compounds and expressions, communication strategies, and professional presentation skills.