Department Of Asian Studies, Center for East Asian Studies                                             
Program Information/プログラム情報


Course Descriptions

Readings in Modern Japanese I (JPN 320K)
  • Not open to native speakers of Japanese
  • Prerequisites: JPN 412L or the equivalent with a grade of at least C
  • Course Objectives:
    • This course will mainly focus on developing reading and writing skills
    • Reading skills:
      • To build up vocabulary and kanji
      • To become familiar with long, complicated sentences
      • To be able to use a kanji and Japanese-English dictionary
      • To be able to rapid-read short essays and stories
    • Writing skills:
      • To be able to express your own ideas in Japanese
      • To be able to write simple essays and letters in Japanese
      • To improve your handwriting as well as word processing and emailing skill in Japanese
      • To be a self-directed learner: Unfortunately learning a language takes a long time. You have to learn Japanese by yourself sometimes. Always monitor your progress or learning methods. Find out your own most effective and (cost and time) efficient ways to learn Japanese
  • Texts/Readings: An Integrated Approach to Intermediate Japanese (1994) by Akira Miura and Naomi H. McGloin The Japan Times
  • Grading/Requirements: (May vary) Class participation, Quizzes (Culture Notes, Kanji and vocabulary), Compositions, Homework, Chapter Tests, Final Exam, E-mailing, Group Project-Newspaper Publishing


Readings in Modern Japanese II (JPN 320L)
  • Not open to native speakers of Japanese
  • Prerequisites: JPN 320K or the equivalent with a grade of at least C
  • Course Objectives:
    • This course will mainly focus on developing reading and writing skills
    • The goals of this course include:
      • Review and reinforcement of basic grammar
      • Expansion of vocabulary, expressions, and kanji
      • Ability to read short essays, stories, and some newspaper articles intensively (close reading) and extensively (rapid reading)
      • Ability to write simple essays and letters in Japanese
      • Acquisition of general knowledge of Japanese culture We will discuss reading materials in class in order to expand oral and aural skills
    • The Four Skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing (are inseparable to gain proficiency in Japanese)
  • Texts/Readings: An Integrated Approach to Intermediate Japanese (1994) by Akira Miura and Naomi H. McGloin The Japan Times
  • Grading/Requirements: Attendance/class participation, Homework, Quizzes (Culture Notes, Kanji and vocabulary), composition, Chapter tests, translation project, Final exam