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Department of Modern Languages

Japanese Courses

In this page you will find course descriptions and other information regarding our Japanese courses to help you and your advisor determine which classes are most appropriate for you. We offer a Japanese minor, study abroad opportunities and scholarships! Please contact Dr. Loschki for placement or any other questions related to the Japanese program or Japanese courses, and check the Spring 2024 schedule for days/times.

Course Descriptions

JAPAN 101 - Japanese I

j101

Introduction to the fundamental linguistic and cultural characteristics of the Japanese language and its writing systems (Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji). This course provides the basic characteristics of Japanese in both written and spoken forms. Through highly interactive class activities, students will develop their beginning level letter-sound correspondences and conversational skills, while also acquiring the basic language structures and formulaic expressions.

  • Typically offered in Fall semesters
  • Counts toward Foreign Language requirements of the BA or BS

JAPAN 102 - Japanese II

j102

This course builds on the basic grammatical patterns and syntax of the Japanese language acquired in Japanese I. Through highly interactive in-class activities, students will further develop their comprehension (listening and reading) and production (speaking and writing).  Students are also taught how to use helpful strategies to enhance their learning.
  • Typically offered in Spring semesters
  • Counts toward Foreign Language requirements of the BA or BS

JAPAN 300 - Japanese III

j300

This course emphasizes building and applying basic linguistic knowledge and skills in the contexts of varied communicative tasks. Students will also represent their comprehension of more complex language structures using multi-modal tools in both oral and written language forms.
  • Typically offered in Fall semesters
  • Counts toward Foreign Language requirements of the BA or BS

JAPAN 301 - Japanese IV

j4

This course is designed to further develop the four language skills in Japanese (listening, speaking, reading, and writing). Students will gain necessary skills and develop not only their linguistic competence but also their communicative and cultural competence. For example, they will start learning to use Japanese honorific language in various social contexts.

  • Typically offered in Spring semesters
  • Counts toward Foreign Language requirements of the BA or BS

JAPAN 591 - Japanese V

j301

This course is aimed at developing students' Japanese language proficiency into the high-intermediate level. Students will further develop their linguistic, communicative, and cultural competence. They will also explore varied discourse patterns (e.g., cause and effect, comparison-contrast) in both receptive and productive language skills.

  • Typically offered in Fall semesters
  • Counts toward Foreign Language requirements of the BA or BS

JAPAN 592 - Japanese VI

j6

This course is a comprehensive Japanese language course. It provides a well-balanced development of the four language skills (reading, writing, speaking, and listening). Students will use the target language structures purposefully (e.g., for problem solving, debating pros and cons). In doing so, they will come to use the strategies needed to communicate at the high-intermediate to advanced level. Furthermore, they will gain necessary skills and develop the ability to use the target language in a coherent manner both linguistically and pragmatically.

  • Typically offered in Spring semesters
  • Counts toward Foreign Language requirements of the BA or BS