Japanese


Japanese 1001 (formerly Critical Languages 0070): Japanese Elements I
4 credit hours

A beginning course in Japanese for students who have had little or no Japanese language study. This course introduces some basic but useful conversational expressions, the two sets of syllabic symbols and some 30 pictograph-kanji, and the most fundamental grammatical rules (past and nonpast, negation, questions, and requests).



Japanese 1002 (formerly Critical Languages 0071): Japanese Elements II
4 credit hours

Prerequisite: Japanese 1001 or permission of instructor

A continuation from Japanese 1001, this course focuses on learning new sentence structures and vocabulary. An additional 50 kanji (beyond Japanese 1001) and some basics for different levels of formality in conversation will be introduced. Students are required to write short compositions and letters.



Japanese 2096 (formerly Critical Languages W120): Japanese Popular Culture and Literature
3 credit hours

(Cross-Listings: Asian Studies 3096)

A look at the culture and literature of Japan. Note, a knowledge of Japanese language is not required.



Japanese 2021 (formerly Critical Languages 0121): Japanese Literature in Film
3 credit hours

(Cross-Listings: Asian Studies 2021)

A look at cinematic adaptations of Japanese novels and short stories. Discussions and assignments develop analytical and critical skills in reading literary and cinematic texts selected from the works of the principal figures of Japanese literature and film, such as Tanizaki, Mishima, and Kurosawa. Note, a knowledge of Japanese language is not required.



Japanese 1003 (formerly Critical Languages 0140): Oral Intensive Japanese I
3 credit hours

Prerequisite: Japanese 1002 or permission of instructor

A bridge between beginning and intermediate Japanese levels, this course emphasizes vocabulary building and the use of spoken Japanese through situational conversational practice. Tests will be in the forms of listening and reading comprehension and structured interviews. An ability to read and write hiragana and katakana is required, as is a mastery of most basic grammatical rules.



Japanese 2001 (formerly Critical Languages C170): Intermediate Japanese I
3 credit hours

Prerequisite: Japanese 1002 or permission of instructor

A focus on functional and situational practice and vocabulary in the textbook. Students study 80 to 90 kanji (beyond Critical Languages 0071) and are required to read some short passages outside the textbook, to write short essays, and to make brief oral presentations. Oral practice in the lab and in class groups is strongly encouraged.



Japanese 2002 (formerly Critical Languages 0171): Intermediate Japanese II
3 credit hours

Prerequisite: Japanese 2001 or permission of instructor

A continuation of Japanese 2001, this course focuses on reading and listening to and on summarizing short stories. Some advertisements and cartoons outside the textbook will be introduced in class. Students study some 80 kanji (beyond Japanese 2001) and are required to write short essays and to make one oral presentation.



Japanese 2003 (formerly Critical Languages 0200): Oral Intensive Japanese II
3 credit hours

Prerequisite: Japanese 2002 or permission of instructor

A bridge between intermediate and advanced Japanese levels, this course focuses on vocabulary acquisition in a variety of conversational situations. Throughout the semester, several vocabulary quizzes and structure tests will be given, while the final exam will be in the form of interviews. Students are required to complete one project involving various communication activities outside the classroom. Note, the course uses different materials and works on different topics every semester and thus is repeatable. Students need prior written permission from the instructor to repeat.



Japanese 2011 (formerly Critical Languages 0220): Survey of Japanese Literature: Premodern
3 credit hours

(Cross-Listings: Asian Studies 2011)

A study of memoirs, poetry, novels, and other genres is included in this survey of classical Japanese literature. Note, a knowledge of Japanese language is not required.



Japanese 2012 (formerly Critical Languages 0221): Survey of Japanese Literature: Modern
3 credit hours

(Cross-Listings: Asian Studies 2012)

A survey of modern Japanese literature focusing on novels and short stories. Authors include Tanizaki, Kawabata, and Mishima. Note, a knowledge of Japanese language is not required.



Japanese 3001 (formerly Critical Languages 0270): Advanced Japanese I
3 credit hours

Prerequisite: Japanese 2002 or permission of instructor

A focus on Japanese sociocultural studies, including the levels of formality in writing and conversation. There are some 300 kanji and 600 kanji idioms to review or to learn. Students are required to write a number of essays and to make oral presentations.



Japanese 3002 (formerly Critical Languages 0271): Advanced Japanese II
3 credit hours

Prerequisite: Japanese 3001 or permission of instructor

A continuation of Japanese 3001 that focuses on intercultural studies. There are some 300 new and old kanji and 600 kanji idioms to review or to learn. Students are required to conduct one descriptive survey of a cultural aspect and to make a report on the results in two forms: an oral presentation in class and a written paper.



Japanese 3003 (formerly Critical Languages 0290): Advanced Writing
3 credit hours

A course for students who feel secure in the fundamentals of writing in the Japanese language but who want additional instruction beyond the introductory composition courses to improve their writing. This course focuses on one of two writing styles depending on the semester: formal and academic essays (ronbun) and personal and impressionistic essays (zuihitsu). Ask the instructor which will be focused on during the semester you are going to register for. There will be a lot of speed writing in class for students to prepare for a company essay test. Note, this course may be taken by native speakers of Japanese.



Japanese 4031 (formerly Critical Languages 0330): Introduction to Japanese Linguistics I
3 credit hours

An introduction to some important findings and theories in linguistics and to the description of the sound stratum of Japanese contrastive analysis with English sounds. This is the first of three courses in a series under the course title Introduction to Japanese Linguistics. The course does not provide any actual teaching training, but it does include essential information that Japanese-language teachers ought to have. Classes and examinations will be conducted in Japanese. Students are required to write a term paper in Japanese. Note, this course may be taken by native speakers of Japanese.



Japanese 4032 (formerly Critical Languages 0331): Introduction to Japanese Linguistics II
3 credit hours

An introduction to the problems of orthographical rules and to the contrastive studies of Japanese and English grammar (syntax and morphology). This is the second of three courses in a series under the course title Introduction to Japanese Linguistics. The course does not provide any actual teaching training, but does include essential information that Japanese-language teachers ought to have. Classes and examinations will be conducted in Japanese. Students are required to make some oral presentations and to write a term paper in Japanese. Note, this course may be taken by native speakers of Japanese.



Japanese 4033 (formerly Critical Languages 0332): Introduction to Japanese Linguistics III
3 credit hours

An introduction to the application of linguistic principles to the learning and teaching of the Japanese language. This is the third of three courses in a series under the course title Introduction to Japanese Linguistics. Students are expected to actively participate in class discussions and to complete various projects of their own development whose results they then present orally and in writing as term papers. Classes and examinations will be conducted in Japanese. Note, this course may be taken by native speakers of Japanese.



Japanese 4003 (formerly Critical Languages 0340): Advanced Oral Japanese
2 credit hours

Prerequisite: Japanese 2003 or permission of instructor

An advanced-level course that provides oral and aural practice in Japanese. Emphasis is on improving listening and reading comprehension and discussion skills. There will be some practice on appropriate degrees of formality that are necessary for business or office work. Note, this course may be taken by balanced bilingual speakers of Japanese and another language who have not attended Japanese middle or high school.



Japanese 4182 (formerly Critical Languages 0370): Japanese Independent Study I
3 credit hours

Prerequisite: Written permission of instructor

An independent-study course arranged each semester. Please consult with the instructor.



Note:
Please note: the information contained in these course descriptions is subject to change, and individual courses may be added or deleted as necessary. If you wish to know what specific courses are being offered in a given term, please see the current course schedule.