Japanese 101 Syllabus

Course Syllabus:   Syllabus PDF Document

Meet Your Instructor:  Manami Ito

Course Description:

Japanese A180 is an introductory course, which is designed to develop fluency in speaking, listening, reading and writing (Hiragana, Katakana & Kanji writing systems) in Japanese. Each of these skills is equally important to acquire a foreign language. Japanese deals with its original writing systems, which are totally different from the alphabet. In addition, the textbook is written in only Hiragana and Katakana starting Chapter 2. Therefore, it is necessary to master the Japanese writing systems as soon as possible. Hiragana or Katakana homework is assigned at each class meeting to be completed independently by each student. In the class, speaking and listening skills are emphasized and practiced, rather than reading and writing, to build up your communicative competence. Consequently, the class will be gradually conducted in Japanese as much as possible.
It is recommended to watch Japanese programs (e.g. NHK World (https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/ TV, Online, Radio, Apps are available), Japanese movies (e.g. Miyazaki Hayao animations) and to make native Japanese friends.
The Japanese language is a center core of Japanese culture, therefore, this course introduces not only the interactive aspects of communication but also Japanese culture as well.

Textbook Information:

1) The following two textbooks (Hard Copy only!) are required.
2) Sharing the textbooks with other classmates is Strictly prohibited in the classroom.
Hatasa, Yukiko Abe and etc,. Nakama 1a.
Boston 2009; Houghton Mifflin Hardourt Publishing Company.
ISBN-10: 0-618-96628-5, ISBN-13: 978-0-618-96628-8
Hatasa, Yukiko Abe and etc,. Nakama 1a, Student Activities Manual.
Boston 2009; Houghton Mifflin Hardcourt Publishing Company.
ISBN-10: 0-618-96570-X, ISBN-13: 978-0-618-96570-0
3) Learning materials from CANVAS. Students are responsible to print out the materials.

Student Learning Objectives:

The student will be able to:
1. Recognize and produce the Japanese language at the beginning level in the four primary areas of communication: listening, speaking, reading and writing.
2. Demonstrate a better understanding and appreciation of the cultures related to the Japanese language by comparing and contrasting them with the students’ own culture(s).
3. Use current technologies to further develop their language and cultural competencies.