Courses

In our First-Year class, we aim at helping students become thinkers in Japanese as quickly as possible. For that to happen, we limit the use of English to an absolute minimum. Students often express their amazement at how fast they have become speakers of Japanese. We also make extensive use of technologies widely available to us. Our students in the Second-Year class and above greatly benefit from our long-standing language partnership with Japanese residents in the area. Students visit with their language partners once a week, either at their home or on campus. This adds a valuable learning experience outside class. Many students develop long lasting friendship with their language partners.

Japanese Language Courses

JPNSE H001, H002 First-year Japanese (Intensive)

An intensive introduction to the four basic skills (reading, writing, speaking and listening), with special emphasis on the development of conversational fluency in sociocultural contexts. Six hours per week of lecture and oral practice. This is a year-long course; both semesters are required for credit. (Koike)

JPNSE H003, H004 Second-year Japanese

A continuation of first-year Japanese, with a focus on the further development of oral proficiency, along with reading and writing skills. Five hours per week of lecture and oral practice. Prerequisite: First-year Japanese or equivalent. (Suzuki)

JPNSE H101, H102 Third-year Japanese

A continuation of language study with further development of overall Japanese proficiency. Emphasis on reading and discussing texts. Advanced study of grammar and kanji; introduction to composition writing. Three hours of class, one hour of oral practice. Prerequisite: Second-year Japanese or equivalent and consent of the instructor. (Suzuki, Hanawa)

JPNSE H201, H202 Advanced Japanese I & II

Advanced Japanese language training with a focus on reading. The course will be theme-based, such as business and culture. The content of the class will not be repeated for two years, so that students can take this course for two consecutive years if they wish. Students will learn many new kanji, will be introduced to classical Japanese grammar, will watch movies and films dealing with contemporary topics, and will continue to deepen their understanding of the Japanese language. Prerequisite: Third-year Japanese or equivalent and consent of the instructor. (Hanawa, Suzuki)

JPNSE H480 Independent Study

Modern urban Japan: advanced readings in Japanese and English.