Japanese Course Descriptions

Students develop basic listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills (including hiragana and katakana) in the target language and gain awareness of Japanese cultures. Besides work in the classroom, assignments to be completed outside of class are required. Intended for students with no previous formal instruction in Japanese. Anyone with previous instruction must take the placement exam and will be admitted to 104 only if the placement score does not qualify the student for JAPN 105.

Students continue to develop the four fundamental skills in the target language (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) and gain cultural awareness and communicative skills in a range of social situations. Besides work in the classroom, assignments to be completed outside of class are required. Prerequisite: JAPN 104 or qualifying score on departmental placement exam (score remains valid for one year from date of exam).

Students engage in culturally appropriate communicative tasks in different registers and situations to further develop listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Besides work in the classroom, assignments to be completed outside of class are required. Prerequisite: JAPN 105 or qualifying score on departmental placement exam (score remains valid for one year from the date of exam).  

General education humanities course. Students expand their knowledge of Japan and enhance proficiency in expressing personal meaning in culturally appropriate language. Grammatical elements and practical vocabulary coalesce through conversational practice; routine complications are resolved with greater ease in the target language. Besides work in the classroom, assignments to be completed outside the class are required. Prerequisite: JAPN 106 or qualifying score on departmental placement exam (score remains valid for one year from the date of exam).

May deal with one of the following topics in Japanese language as announced by the instructor: (1) continuing intermediate Japanese grammar; (2) Japanese business terminology; (3) intermediate Japanese readings; (4) other topics as approved by the department. Prerequisite(s): JAPN 204, 223 or instructor's consent.

Develops oral and aural proficiency and culturally appropriate communication strategies through simulated conversation, listening activities, vocabulary building, and pronunciation practice. Topics include: introductions, customs and manners regarding food, using transportation and asking directions, sightseeing and history of famous landmarks, and potential and passive forms.  By the end of this course, students can navigate a trip to Japan independently. Prerequisite: JAPN 106.

General education humanities course. Cross-listed as PHIL 228. A survey of Japanese philosophy that selects topics and relevant figures from the ancient period (roughly the late sixth century CE) to the present day. Examines the emergence of Japanese philosophical contributions from philosophical movements like Buddhism (especially Zen and Pure Land Buddhism), Confucianism, and Shintoism prior to the Meiji Restoration in 1868 and the appropriation and critique of Western philosophy in the post-Meiji era. Topics may include the nature of reality, aesthetics, the “bodymind,” ethics, impermanence and the significance of death, the insubstantial self, questions about meaning, environmental philosophy, and philosophy of technology. Course includes diversity content.

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

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. Pre- or corequisite(s): JAPN 204, JAPN 223.

Transfer of credit from universities in Japan.

Includes fundamentals of pronunciation of kanji characters, vocabulary building, practice in understanding and speaking phrases, reading and writing. Draws examples from Japanese culture and society. Prerequisite: JAPN 224 or equivalent.

General education humanities course. Cross-listed as PHIL 307. Focuses on how Japanese culture is expressed via film. Intends to increase the student’s 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. Course includes diversity content.

Analyzes the cultural and historical significance of animation and manga (Japanese comics) in Japan. Looks at the ways in which animation and manga are influenced by Japanese culture, and how Japanese culture has been influenced by these forms of media. Discusses the worldwide popularity of anime/manga and how it has influenced world views of Japan. Course includes diversity content.

General education humanities course. Learn about Japanese culture and history on a variety of topics including Japanese social organization, basic history, classical and modern arts, current societal issues, and cultural taboos and expectations. This course is taught in English. Course includes diversity content.

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.

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.

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