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To complement what he’s studying in his majors, computer science and mathematics, Teruhisa Haruguchi ’07 (Saitama, Japan) is using his skills as a native speaker of Japanese to collaborate on research projects with Larry Stockton, professor and head of music, and Yoshihiko Ariizumi, assistant professor of foreign languages and literatures.
An interest in music led Haruguchi to take on the role of Stockton’s assistant. He researched the rote transmission of musical skills in kabuki theater, the blend of music, dance, mime, and extravagant costumes and makeup that has been the principle theatrical form in Japan since the early 17th century.
With Ariizumi he’s helping develop innovative approaches to self-directed language learning through interactive multimedia.
Stockton, who has studied kabuki and its music for more than 20 years, is currently focused on the 400-year-old form’s drumming tradition that is taught by word of mouth and learned by imitation rather than by reading musical notes. Haruguchi is helping Stockton translate Japanese writings, rare manuscripts, and liner notes of recordings that detail the instruction of the drumming tradition.
This time-honored learning method of transmission may soon change, notes Stockton.
“It has been challenging, but I’ve learned a lot,” Haruguchi says. “It is good lesson for me to learn the [foundation] of Japanese culture. And having a strong bilingual background will be helpful for me in my career.”
“Teruhisa isa very meticulous young man,” Stockton says. “It’s clear that he works very hard, even though this project is completely unrelated to his major.”
Not only has Stockton been acting as Haruguchi’s mentor on this EXCEL project, but he has also been Haruguchi’s host parent in this country, which has fostered his comfort in working closely with faculty.
Stockton is scheduled to present his research findings, including Haruguchi’s translations, at a conference in Japan this June, which will be the first documented look at kabuki drumming instruction.
For many years, Ariizumi has been working to enhance learning in the Japanese program. Through some independent research of his own as a Japanese language tutor, Haruguchi determined that if language learners could identify the bunsetsu, or most basic unit in a sentence, they could more easily comprehend the general meaning of the sentence. According to Ariizumi, Haruguchi’s identification of utilizing bunsetsu for improved learning comprehension is breaking new ground in the field of language studies.
With Haruguchi’s experience in computer science, the mutual decision was made that Haruguchi would use technology to create a web-based learning module that incorporates his theory on bunsetsu in improving language comprehension. During the interim, Haruguchi was working on creating learning exercises that will be incorporated into a 15-minute module, which will also include a video clip of authentic Japanese speaking delivered via Japanese animation, or anime.
Haruguchi presented his findings at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research April 6-8, while Ariizumi’s future plans for the project include the development of an internet program that can be used outside Lafayette’s learning community.
“Professor Ariizumi is very different from other professors I’ve known; somehow when I finished talking to him, my ideas became more clear-cut,” says Haruguchi of his EXCEL mentor.
“The EXCEL program helps make our work more exciting and productive,” says Ariizumi. “I learn a lot from undergraduate researchers. They come up with a lot of very good ideas, some of which become major components in my research.”
In addition to his work as an EXCEL Scholar, Haruguchi has completed two externships, one with Microsoft and one with a Lafayette alumnus at Siemens Corporate Research in Princeton, N.J.
Haruguchi performs in the orchestra and is a member of the math club.
In Lafayette’s distinctive EXCEL Scholars program students conduct research with faculty while earning a stipend. Many of the more than 160 students who participate each year share their work through articles in academic journals and/or conference presentations.
Independent studies are among several major programs that have made Lafayette a national leader in undergraduate research. The College sends one of the largest contingents to the National Conference on Undergraduate Research each year; 40 students were accepted to present their research at this year’s conference.