Jessica Clark-Surface

After doing research in both Japan and the United States, I did an in depth study into Hikikomori and NEETS. Hikikomori and NEETS are people who completely withdraw from society. They often refuse to attend school or leave the house unless absolutely necessary. In extreme cases, they become almost catatonic, non-verbal and do not move. In less extreme cases they often have rich lives on the internet, personas they create and act as, sometimes more than one. The early eras of the phenomenon were a reaction to how Japan moved forward after the American Occupation post WWII. They felt that their ancestors had given up, become docile and servile and their nationality and person-hood no longer contained a deeper meaning. Growing apathy and pop culture hits such as Neon Genesis Evangelion echoed these feelings. Technology further enabled this subgroup of society. Parents, often afraid of admitting their child has become a Hikikomori or NEET, will enable their child, leaving them food outside of their door or providing them money. However. there are extreme examples of the opposite, where parents completely move out of the home and away from the child leaving them to fend for themselves. My research focused on first person accounts from these people and their reasons for their choices. It also focused on the mental health community and the community responses to the phenomenon. I wrote a 22 page paper and presented it to the entire foreign language faculty.

While studying in Japan I took Kabuki, Bunraku and Noh a class centered on the ancient Japanese forms of theatre, attended a Noh performance in Kyoto and went to the historic Kabuki-za to see Kagotsurube live. In addition to these practical experiences I used the resources of Kansai Gaidai to read more plays, see the designs and make-up used. I noted that the aesthetic properties of these ancient art forms were major influences on popular culture, specifically Anime and Manga. I learned how to recreate different traditional kabuki make-up styles and learned about the significance of songs and movements, to appreciate the nuances of the smallest of gestures. I then presented to the Theatre faculty and my peers not only the history and culture that I learned about, but showed them clips of popular media utilizing these same cultural icons, songs and the fusion that has occurred with western cultures. I even had models show basic Kabuki make-up styles to the room.

I am currently participating in a practicum experience at the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, under the guidance of the incomparable Dr. Patty Eaton. I am getting hands on experience in the Accessibility Resource center, learning about ADA guidelines, helping students and parents transition between IDEA rules to ADA rules and requirements. Learning about reasonable accommodations and how to collaborate with other departments such as Resident Life, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, Student Life, The Learning Center, Student Counseling Services and the on campus health clinic. I am creating a binder based on the role and responsibilities of a director of Accessibility Services, that will serve me to occupy that role with thorough knowledge, tools and experience.