In addition to the Spanish language and Hispanic cultures, the student demonstrates a general knowledge of a socio-cultural group other than a Hispanic one or mainstream American culture. The student develops a basic understanding of the ways of thinking (ideas, beliefs, attitudes, values, philosophies), the behavioral practices (patterns of social interactions) and the cultural products – both tangible and intangible (for example, art, history, literature, music) – of the second culture.
The understanding of another culture has been one of the many joys in my life, one culture I have had much interest in is the Japanese culture. Ever since i was 8 years old, i have had an interest in Japanese culture, it started at a young age when watching Japanese animation, through that medium i gained an apreciation for the values and beliefs in that society, since then Japanese animation and culture has been an integral factor in my life. While at CSUMB I also took a course on Japanese Media, ranging from commercials on television to full length movies such as Tokyo Godfathers or Spirited Away. The Japanese Media course along with my continual interest in Japanese Animation has given me a very in depth view of the culture, although I do not speak the language I can understand bits and pieces of it, but the Japanese Mentality, belief systems, and values I have an in depth understanding of.