Course Descriptions

JAPN 101 , JAPN 102, JAPN 103 Elementary Japanese (1)
Development of basic language skills: listening comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing. Use of language laboratory. Prereq : must follow sequence or permission of the instructor; Staff

JAPN 201 , JAPN 202 Intermediate Japanese (1)
Development of skills in spoken and written Japanese. Attention to Japanese culture. Prereq : JAPN 103 or permission of the instructor; Staff

JAPN 210 Conversation and Composition in Japanese (1)
Development of communicative skills, primarily through conversing and writing in Japanese, with attention to Japanese culture. Prereq : JAPN 202 or permission of the instructor; O; Staff

JAPN 220 Japanese Popular Culture (1)
Examines issues in contemporary life in Japan by focusing on the following forms of Japanese popular culture: pop song, enka, karaoke, manga (comics), anime (animation), video games, television drama, films, and idols (popular teenage singers and actors). Explores the forces by which Japan shapes itself in comparison with the U.S. and other countries, through different forms of pop culture. Cross Listing : ASIA 222; M.Matsuda;

JAPN 248 Teaching Assistant (1/2 or 1)
Prereq : Permission of instructor; May be graded S/U at instructor's discretion; Staff

JAPN 250 Independent Study (1/2 or 1)
Staff

JAPN 270 Japanese Language and Culture (1)
An examination of the relationship between the Japanese language and the cultural perceptions and dynamic interpersonal mechanism in Japan. After a brief overview of the historical background of the Japense society and the predominant beliefs and key concepts about Japanese language and culture, this course will discuss such topics as family (uchi [in-group], soto [out-group]), gender (men's Japanese, women's Japanese, GLBT's Japanese), politeness (honorific, humble, neutral), gift-giving/receiving, and "loan words" from foreign languages, final-sentence particles, etc. by using various resources, such as films, documentaries, TV dramas, fashion magazines, anime, comic books, and on-line journals or blogs written by non-Japanese living or studying in Japan. Prereq : JAPN 101 or the permission of the instructor; M.Matsuda;

JAPN 295 Special Topics (1/2 or 1)
Courses offered occasionally to students in special areas of Japanese not covered in the usual curriculum. Staff

JAPN 301E Japanese Literature I (1)
(In English translation) Japanese literature and poetry from antiquity to the early Meiji (mid-nineteenth century). A study of Japanese court poems, haiku, as well as novels and essays of the Heian period (794-1185), such as the tale of Genji, the historical novels of the succeeding era, the novels and plays of the Tokugawa era (1600-1868), and the literature of the early years of Meiji (1868-1911), when the influence of Western writers was beginning to be felt. Staff

JAPN 302E Japanese Literature II (1)
(In English translation) The course examines the novels and poetry from the Meiji era to the present, including the works of Natsume Soseki, Akutagawa Ryunosuke, Nagai Kafu, Tanizaki Jun'ichiro, Kawabata Yasunari, Mishima Yukio, Noma Hiroshi, Banana Yoshimoto, and Haruki Murakami.Staff

JAPN 325 or JAPN 325E Modern Society in Japan (1)
(In Japanese or English) This course focuses on the study of current political, economic and social issues in Japan. Prereq : JAPN 202 for JAPN 325; sophomore standing or permission of the instructor for JAPN 325E; Staff

JAPN 325E (1)
This course focuses on the study of current political, economic and social issues in Japan.

JAPN 330 Comparative and International Education: Japan, China, Korea, India and the United States (1)
Introduction to the comparative method in the study of educational systems in different societies, focusing on Japan, China, India, and the U.S. Provides students with conceptual and methodological tools from the field of education and related disciplines--such as sociology, political science, anthropology, and economics--for studying societal school systems in depth and making international and cross-cultural comparisons. Prereq : EDUC 201, 202, or 203 or permission of the instructor; M.Matsuda;

JAPN 348 Teaching Assistant (1/2 or 1)
Prereq : Permission of instructor; May be graded S/U at instructor's discretion; Staff

JAPN 350 Independent Study (1/2 or 1)
Staff

JAPN 370 Japanese Language and Culture (1)
See description for JAPN 270. Students who enroll in JAPN 370 complete additional requirements. Prereq : JAPN 101 or permission of the instructor; Cross Listing : ASIA 370; M.Matsuda;

JAPN 395 Special Topics (1/2 or 1)
Courses offered occasionally to students in special areas of Japanese not covered in the usual curriculum. Staff

JAPN 400 Advanced Studies (1/2 or 1)
See College Honors Program. Staff