Information found in this online edition of the 2008-09 catalog is unofficial and for informational purposes only. By authority of the dean of the College, some factual corrections to the printed version may appear here. The official document of record is the printed edition of the 2008-09 Catalog. For more information, please contact the Office of the Registrar.

Japanese

JAPN 101, 102 Beginning Japanese

Deeter, Suttmeier
Content: Introduction to and development of basic language skills with emphasis on overall communication proficiency. Vocabulary, sentence structure, aural comprehension. Ability to function in everyday-life situations in Japan. Contemporary Japanese culture introduced in context of language learning.
Prerequisite: None. Must be taken in sequence.
Taught: Annually, 4 semester credits each.

JAPN 201, 202 Intermediate Japanese

Deeter, Suttmeier, Staff
Content: Continuing work on basic language skills. Oral and written exercises, mastery of more complex sentence structures, expanding vocabulary. Contemporary Japanese culture introduced in context of language learning.
Prerequisite: Japanese 102 or equivalent. Must be taken in sequence.
Taught: Annually, 4 semester credits each.

JAPN 230 Introduction To Japanese Literature In Translation

Suttmeier
Content: Themes central to Japanese literature. English translations of fiction from all periods: from Heian court texts to postmodern novels. Lectures, discussions, student essays, and supplementary background readings on broader social, cultural, and historical contexts of Japanese literature. Taught in English; no background in Japanese language or literature required.
Prerequisite: None.
Taught: Alternate years, 4 semester credits. May be taken twice for credit if the topic is different.

JAPN 251, 252 Japanese Conversation

Staff
Content: Expansion of vocabulary and idioms, polishing pronunciation, and correcting faulty grammar through oral drills and exercises. Students improve their listening comprehension through audio and video materials and develop confidence in using the language through guided discussions based on brief readings, tapes, films, or assigned current topics.
Prerequisite: Japanese 201 or consent of instructor.
Taught: Annually, 2 semester credits each. Both courses may be taken twice for credit or taken in sequence for a maximum of 4 credits, credit-no credit.

JAPN 290 Topics In Japanese Literature In Translation

Suttmeier
Content: English translations focusing on literary genre (poetry, prose, fiction, drama), period (medieval, premodern, modern, contemporary), and/or theme (aesthetics, storytelling, nature, community, power, gender, sexuality). Lectures, discussions, student essays, and background readings on literary, cultural, historical, philosophical, religious, social background of works studied. Topics vary from year to year. Taught in English; no background in Japanese language or literature required.
Prerequisite: None.
Taught: Alternate years, 4 semester credits. With consent of instructor, may be taken twice for credit.

JAPN 310 Readings And Composition In Japanese

Deeter, Suttmeier
Content: Oral expression, listening comprehension, reading, writing. Expository and creative writing, syntax, idiomatic usage emphasized to promote fluency. Review and consolidation of grammar and vocabulary learned in previous years, expansion of structural and idiomatic command. Readings in increasingly natural Japanese, including contemporary short stories and current newspaper and magazine articles. Short oral presentations, compositions, other exercises to build general language proficiency.
Prerequisite: Japanese 202 or equivalent, or consent of instructor.
Taught: Annually, 4 semester credits. With consent of instructor, may be taken twice for credit.

JAPN 320 Readings And Composition In Japanese II

Deeter, Suttmeier
Content: Continued language study based on readings that address topics of cultural interest such as education, work, family, moral and intellectual values, history, popular culture, and current social issues. Emphasis on improving students' ability to read and write Japanese. Content varies from year to year.
Prerequisite: Japanese 202 or equivalent, or consent of instructor. Japanese 310 recommended.
Taught: Annually, 4 semester credits. With consent of instructor, may be taken twice for credit.

JAPN 410 Advanced Readings In Japanese: Society And Culture

Deeter, Suttmeier
Content: Advanced readings in Japanese to familiarize students with a range of written styles. Emphasis on vocabulary, reading, writing, new kanji. Excerpts from contemporary works, including newspaper and magazine articles, short stories, literary essays, as well as works analyzing Japanese society, culture, customs. Expository and creative writing exercises. Topics vary from year to year.
Prerequisite: Japanese 320 or equivalent, or consent of instructor.
Taught: Annually, 4 semester credits. With consent of instructor, may be taken twice for credit.

JAPN 420 Advanced Readings In Japanese: Fiction And Nonfiction

Deeter, Suttmeier, Staff
Content: Advanced readings in Japanese fiction and nonfiction to familiarize students with a range of literary styles. Excerpts from contemporary writers, which may include essays and short fiction from Kawakata, Murakami, Tanizaki, others. Emphasis on close reading, analytical writing, detailed discussion of the texts. Topics vary from year to year.
Prerequisite: Japanese 320 or equivalent.
Taught: Annually, 4 semester credits. With consent of instructor, may be taken twice for credit.

JAPN 444 Japanese Practicum

Deeter, Suttmeier
Content: Advanced Japanese language students lead beginning and intermediate students in conversation groups and in discussions of Japanese culture, including instructional films.
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
Taught: Each semester, 1-4 semester credits.

JAPN 490 Honors Thesis

Suttmeier
Content: Independent research project suitable for granting departmental honors. Details determined by student in conference with supervising faculty member.
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor. Departmental approval.
Taught: Annually, 1-4 semester credits, credit-no credit.

Back to Catalog front page.