Japanese Course Descriptions

Course Schedule 2023-2024 | Course Descriptions | Textbooks

 


 

Course Schedule 2023-2024

Fall 2023
JAPN 111 Elementary Japanese I, (5) MWF  9:30 - 10:55 
JAPN 112 Elementary Japanese II, (5) MWF 11:30 – 12:55
JAPN 223 Intermediate Japanese I, (3) TR  9:30 – 10:45
JAPN 228 Intro to Japanese Philosophy, (3) TR 2:00 – 3:15 (Co-listing: PHIL 228)
JAPN 310 Japanese Grammar & JLPT Prep (3) TR 9:30 - 10:45
JAPN 322 Japanese Film, (3) T 1:00 - 3:45 (WSU Old Town) 
JAPN 323 Japanese Anime & Manga, (3) W  7:05 - 9:45 (WSU Old Town)
JAPN 325 Japanese Conversation II, (2) TR 11:00 - 11:50
JAPN 398 Travel Seminar in Japan, (2) Arranged
 
Spring 2024
JAPN 111 Elementary Japanese I, (5) MWF 11:30 – 12:50  
JAPN 112 Elementary Japanese II, (5) MWF 11:30- 12:55  
JAPN 224 Intermediate Japanese II, (3) TR   9:30 – 10:45 
JAPN 225 Japanese Conversation I, (2) MW 9:30 – 10:20 
JAPN 324 Japanese Culture & Society, (3) W 7:05 - 9:45  (WSU Old Town)
JAPN 325 Japanese Conversation II, (2) Arranged
JAPN 398 Travel Seminar in Japan, (2) Arranged
 
Summer 2024
JAPN 323 Japanese Anime and Manga, (3) TBA (WSU Old Town)

 


 

Course Descriptions

BASIC COURSES

JAPN 111.  Elementary Japanese I   (5)

Introduces fundamentals of pronunciation, vocabulary building, practice in understanding and speaking phrases, reading, and writing. Also includes cultural material.

JAPN 112.  Elementary Japanese II   (5) 
A continuation of JAPN 111, completing the basic course in Japanese. Prerequisite: JAPN 111 or equivalent.  
JAPN 223.  Intermediate Japanese I   (3)

Includes fundamentals of pronunciation, vocabulary building, practice in understanding and speaking phrases, reading, and writing. Draws examples from Japanese culture, politics and society. Prerequisite: JAPN 112 or equivalent.  

JAPN 224.  Intermediate  Japanese II   (3) 

The course may deal with one of the following topics in Japanese language as announced by the instructor: (a) continuing intermediate Japanese grammar; (b) Japanese business terminology; (c) intermediate Japanese readings; (d) other topics as approved by the department. Repeatable for credit provided the topic is different. Prerequisite: JAPN 223, or instructor's consent.

JAPN 225.  Japanese Conversation I  (2) 

Develops oral fluency. Pre- or corequisite: JAPN 112. 


UPPER-DIVISION COURSES

JAPN 300.  Special Studies   (1-3) 

Topic announced by instructor. Repeatable for credit. Prerequisite: instructor's consent.

JAPN 310. Japanese Grammar and JLPT Prep (3).

Designed to help students improve mid-to-high-level Japanese grammar to prepare for the Japanese Language Proficiency Exam with a focus on grammar and reading, as well as study in the areas of listening comprehension, vocabulary and kanji. Readings cover topics related to Japanese culture and daily life in Japan. Students also learn test-taking skills and complete sample tests to familiarize themselves with the exam. Students are given a pretest to determine the appropriate level of study. Course includes diversity content. Prerequisite(s): JAPN 111 and JAPN 112. Pre- or corequisite(s): JAPN 223.

JAPN 322.  Japanese Film (3) 
Focuses on how Japanese culture is expressed via film, Intends to increase the student understanding of the rich history of Japan, Japanese mythology, and symbolism, and ways in which these elements differ from what students are accustomed to seeing in American media. Students will leave class with an ability to recognize Japanese symbolism in film and an understanding of the roots of that symbolism.
JAPN 323. Japanese Anime and Manga (3).

Analyzes the cultural and historical significance of animation and manga (Japanese comics) in Japan. Students will explore not only the influences of Japanese culture on these forms of media, but also the influences that manga and anime have had on Western media. Students will learn to recognize themes and genre traditions and how those vary from other forms of Japanese media, as well as about their history.

JAPN 315. Study Abroad in Japan. (1-6)
Transfer of credit from universities in Japan.
JAPN 324 Japanese Culture and Society (3)
Learn about Japanese culture and history on a variety of topics including Japanese social organizations, basic history, classical and modern arts, current societal issues and cultural taboos and expectations.  This course is taught in English.
JAPN 325.  Japanese Conversation II (2)

Develops oral fluency through listening, vocabulary building, culturally appropriate communication strategies, and pronunciation. Course includes diversity content. Prerequisite: JAPN 225 or JAPN 315 or instructor's consent.

JAPN 398.  Travel Seminar in Japan   (1-4).

An interdisciplinary travel seminar that allows a student to gain credit for the study of one of the following: culture, art, literature, architecture, politics, society, science and economics, while visiting historic places of interest. Prerequisite: departmental consent.

JAPN 515. Advanced Studies in Japanese Language and Culture (1-4)

Transfer of credit for advanced level study in Japanese language and culture from sister institution in Japan through study abroad.


 

Textbooks

JAPN 111:

The Japan Times, GENKI I, Revised 3rd edition. ISBN 978-4-7890-1730-5
The Japan Times, GENKI I: Workbook, 3rd edition. ISBN  978-4-7890-1731-2 

JAPN 112:
The Japan Times, GENKI I, Revised 3rd edition. (L6~L10)
The Japan Times, GENKI I: Workbook, 3rd edition. (L6~L10)
Bonjinsha, Basic Kanji Book Vol 1: 4th edition, 1997. (L1~7) ISBN 4-89358-091-4

JAPN 223:
The Japan Times, GENKI I & II, Revised 2nd Edi. (L11~L14) ISBN 978-4-7890-1443-4
The Japan Times, GENKI I & II: Workbook, 2nd edition. (L11~L14)
Bonjinsha, Basic Kanji Book Vol 1: 4th edition, 1997. (L8~11) ISBN 4-89358-091-4

JAPN 224:
The Japan Times, GENKI II, Revised 2nd edition. (L15~L19)
The Japan Times, GENKI II: Workbook, 2nd edition. (L15~L19)
Bonjinsha, Basic Kanji Book Vol 1: 4th edition, 1997.

JAPN 225:
The Japan Foundation, Marugoto Shokyu 2.
Let’s learn Japanese picture dictionary ISBN0-07-140827-4

JAPN 325:
Marugoto Pre-Intermediate(A2/B1) ISBN 978-4-384-05758-4 C0081

 

 

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