The Samurai Code—A Class on the History and Geography of Feudal Japan

Join us as we travel in time and space to a chain of small islands in the northern Pacific Ocean from the 12th through the 19th centuries.  Powerful daimyos and their samurai vassals are waging costly wars in the struggle to become shogun.  Welcome to Feudal Japan.  Traveling from Hokkaido to Kyushu, with important stops in Edo (Tokyo) and the imperial court in Kyoto, we'll explore Japanese geography, history, culture, and religion and meet the warriors, emperors, artists, and poets of Feudal Japan.

Each week students will:
• view a recorded lesson that introduces the content
• view a recorded lesson that demonstrates the skill
• independently read and respond to a written text 
• practice using rare-word vocabulary
• complete a challenge activity

In addition to the prerecorded lessons, I will provide a comprehension exercise for each selection that focuses on a discreet study skill, such as summarizing, taking Cornell Notes, creating a content web, or using question-answer relationships to answer questions about a nonfiction text.

There are no scheduled live video chats.  Students will be expected to complete the weekly assignments at their own pace by the end of the week. This course format works well if your learner prefers independent pacing or is uncomfortable with live video chat.