Japanese Language Courses

• Course Code: 01:565:362
• Course Title: Japanese Popular Culture
• Semester(s) Offered: Fall, Spring
• Credits: 3

01:565:362 Japanese Popular Culture

This course examines various facets of Japanese popular culture with two major objectives in mind. First, it seeks to cultivate a better understanding of Japanese grammar/expressions, in particular, the ability to express opinions and criticisms in Japanese through writing. Second, it seeks to explore various methods and frameworks to analyze Japanese culture and its popular representations, such as manga, anime, contemporary art, and pop music. Given these objectives, the class will involve lessons and discussions in both Japanese and English and share time between language acquisition and cultural criticism.

This course satisfies the following Asian Languages and Cultures Departmental Learning Goals for Japanese majors and Japanese minors. Majors will be able to demonstrate oral, reading, and written proficiency in the language and develop critical skills in analyzing and interpreting literary, historical, and cultural texts. Minors will be introduced to the cultural heritage of Japan through courses on literature, history, visual culture, language and linguistics and be able to communicate effectively (speaking and writing) in Japanese and will learn critical skills in analyzing and interpreting literary and cultural materials appropriate to the student’s area of specialization.

For majors, this course may count either toward a language course or a culture course, but Japanese majors who would like this course to count toward the Japanese Culture Courses requirement (R3) should notify the instructor.

Grading: 9 responses in Japanese (5% each x 9) 45%, 2 short papers in English (2-3 pages; 10% each x 2) 20%, Final Project (4-5 pages in English) with Japanese summary (1 page) 25%, Final Project Presentation (in English) 5%, Class Performance 5%

The primary way that your language development will be assessed in this course is via response papers that you submit. These responses will be marked for grammar and content, and the instructor will provide comments on how the student’s writing in Japanese can be improved. Although the instructor will provide general instructions to improve writing in Japanese via lectures on Japanese grammar, students should also consult the instructor for an one-on-one feedback session.

For the first two units of the course, students will be asked to write a short paper. The first paper will be on content analysis of select manga. The second will be on comparative media analysis on manga/anime/drama/novel. The papers are in English and should be 2-3 pages in length. Students will be asked to post their papers via Forums and present their findings to the class during the week that the paper is due. Students are welcome to respond to the papers by replying to the post in Forums if they could not comment during class discussion.

At the end of the semester, students will be asked to write a final project paper in English on an aspect of Japanese popular culture, using the frameworks discussed in class. The paper should be analytical, using specific examples that have not been used in class. The paper can focus on frameworks discussed in any of the three units or can combine frameworks from multiple units. The students will also be asked to present on their final project topic during last week of class. The presentation will be in English and should be around 5 minutes in length. Non-presenters are asked to provide feedback to presenters during class. The presenters are required to post supplementary materials to Forums by 9pm on the day before the presentation.

Your class performance grade will be based on your regular active participation in class discussion. Each week, the instructor will create two Chat Rooms, one for grammar and another for content. The students are encouraged to ask questions and make comments in both rooms regarding materials that were covered during class. Responses to posts are also encouraged on student submissions made to Forums (English short paper for Unit I, English short paper for Unit II, and Japanese responses 7, 8, and 9 for Unit III).

• Course Code: 01:565:401
• Course Title: Advanced Readings in Japanese
• Semester(s) Offered: Fall
• Credits: 3

01:565:401 Advanced Readings in Japanese

This semester we will look at three topics in this course—music, environment, and food culture of Japan—as students develop reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills in the Japanese language. Students will read essays, short stories, watch films and TV shows, and listen to music and presentations that will offer them the vocabulary, expressions, and grammar skills necessary to express their ideas and opinions. As a class, we will be creating a course website, for which the students will compose articles and posts). All readings and assignments will be posted on the Canvas course site. The course is designed for upper-level students who have completed Japanese 302 or the equivalent. Students who have taken (or is taking) 301 or have returned from study abroad may be considered.

Grading: Attendance & Class Participation 10%, Short Writing Assignments & Worksheets (5 pts. x 8) 40%, Vocabulary & Kanji Quizzes (5 pts. x 3) 15%, Projects (10 pts. x 2) 20%, Final Project (15 pts.) 15%

Participation counts (10%)! Come to class prepared for reading and discussions.

Short Writing Assignments (5 pts. X 8 = 40%). Post a comment (250-300 characters) on the course website.

Projects (10 pts. X 2 = 20%) requiring simple research, writing, and oral presentation on topics related to materials covered in class. These will be posted on the course website to be shared with the class. (300-500 characters)

For the Final Washoku Project, students will create and conduct a survey on a topic related to Japanese food culture in an attempt to define “washoku,” then create a web-page based on the results and analysis of the survey and present it to the class on the designated Final Exam day. Details will be discussed in class. (1000-1500 characters; 15 pts.)

• Course Code: 01:565:402
• Course Title: Advanced Readings in Japanese
• Semester(s) Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer
• Credits: 3

01:565:402 Advanced Readings in Japanese

Description: Selected readings from modern Japanese. Materials from literature, humanities, and social sciences. Discussion and some writing exercizes. Continuation of 01:565:401

Number of Credits: 3

Prerequisites: 01:565:302 or permission of instructor.

Semesters Offered: Spring

Topics: Varies

Syllabus

• Course Code: 01:565:411
• Course Title: Readings in Classical Japanese: Bungo
• Semester(s) Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer
• Credits: 3

01:565:411 Readings in Classical Japanese: Bungo

Description: Introduction to classical literary Japanese. Study of verbal and adjectival suffixes and particles through sample sentences. Selected readings in classical prose. Some translation exercizes.

Number of Credits: 3

Prerequisites: 01:565:301 or permission of instructor.

Semesters Offered: Irregular

Topics: Varies