| Course | Title | Instructor | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| JAPANSE 1B | FUNDAMENTALS | STAFF | The 1A-1B-1C series, using a communicative approach, will help students learn fundamental grammar, as well as introduce them to basic structural patterns of the Japanese language, basic vocabulary, and the two Japanese phonetic scripts of hiragana, katakana, plus 131 basic kanji characters. Students will also learn to ask and answer basic questions and write about simple actions in the present/future and past tenses. They will be introduced to important elements of Japanese culture and customs of the Japanese people. Students practice basic speaking and listening skills in common situations, such as greetings and invitations, while interacting with classmates, and instructors. This course is taught in Japanese unless in cases of linguistic difficulty as determined by the instructor. |
| JAPANSE 2B | INTERMEDIATE | STAFF | The series of 2A-2B-2C is the continuation of 1C. In this series students will focus on the four communication skills (listening, speaking, reading and writing), building up a solid foundation for intermediate Japanese and further developing proficiency to be able to express relatively complex ideas. They also learn honorifics, in addition to the desu/masu speaking styles. The socially and culturally appropriate use of the language is exercised in a broader range of social contexts. Reading and writing put an extra emphasis on accuracy and pragmatic components, as well as fluency. Reading materials include semi-authentic articles of moderate length on specific topics. Traditional and current aspects of Japanese culture are explored throughout the series and discussed in class. Students will learn most of the basic grammar of Japanese and to read and write the Japanese phonetic symbols (i.e. hiragana, katakana). About 400 more kanji will be introduced. |
| JAPANSE 100A | CLASSICAL JAPANESE | STAFF | Japanese 100A (winter 2025) & B (spring 2025) is a two-quarter sequence designed to introduce classical Japanese grammar to intermediate and advanced students of modern Japanese. In 100A Emphasis throughout will be on the systematic study of classical verbs, adjectives, and auxiliaries. The goal of the course is to let students develop basic reading skills of deciphering and reciting waka (Classical Japanese poem) from Hyakunin-isshu, which is a classical Japanese anthology. The poems can be translated to “one hundred poets, one poem [each]”, and it also refers to the traditional card game uta-garuta that uses a deck composed of cards based on the Hyakunin-isshu. Some attention will also be given to rhetoric of waka composition, and thematic reading. At the end of the course, students will have practical experience of playing the card game to familiarize themselves with Hyakunin-isshu that manifested the living of aristocrats at those times. Selected readings from important classical texts will be assigned with the intent of giving students some practical experience in reading and analysis. Students will be expected to commit classical Japanese verb and adjective conjugations to memory, along with the meanings and usage of certain particles and suffixes. |
| JAPANSE 103B | ADVANCED JAPANESE | STAFF | The 103A-103B-103C series will build on the content knowledge as well as the linguistic knowledge and skills that students acquired in first and second year Japanese. Students practice and master the whole range of Japanese grammar comprehensively. Students also practice oral presentation skills accompanied with audio-visual aides such as PowerPoint. The content of the subject is explained exclusively in Japanese. The goal of this series is to help students become competent and culturally literate speakers of Japanese. 
In terms of development of linguistic skills, the four skills of speaking, listening, reading, and writing will be fostered, with increased emphasis on reading skills. Students will learn more advanced formulaic expressions and expand their vocabulary including 500 kanji. The ultimate goals of this series are to acquaint students with reading and research skills and help them convey abstract thoughts in sensible ways. |