JPNS 3110 Advanced Japanese I

TEXTBOOKS

Required:
1. 
2. The reader (Class Packet)
3. The Kodansha Kanji learner's dictionary
4. Kantaro (Software for kanji learning) in ALTEC

Optional Japanese dictionary  
A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar, The Japan Times.
A Dictionary of Intermediate Grammar, The Japan Times.
BASIC KANJI BOOK Vol.2 and any kanji dictionary Bonjinsha

USEFUL URLs

Japanese online dictionary
http://www.csse.monash.edu.au/~jwb/wwwjdic.html

Kanji
http://www.sabah.edu.my/meiko
http://fl176.hyper.chubu.ac.jp/wwkanji2k/wwkanji2056.html
http://www-japan.mit.edu/csuf/
http://www.kanken.or.jp/game/g_index.html

Reading materials
http://language.tiu.ac.jp/

Japanese language learning tools
http://www.sabotenweb.com/bookmarks/language.html

Japanese search engine engines
http://www.google.com/intl/ja/
http://www.yahoo.co.jp/
http://kids.goo.ne.jp

Japanese newspapers
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/
http://www.mainichi.co.jp/
http://asahi.com

NHK broadcast
http://www.nhk.or.jp/

Japanese novels
http://www.aozora.gr.jp/

Nihon no uta (Japanese music)
http://www.mahoroba.ne.jp/~gonbe007/hog/warabe.html

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This is the first part of two advanced Japanese courses. The prerequisites are JPNS 2110-2121 Intermediate Japanese or equivalent. In this course you will learn contemporary Japanese language at advanced level. The course focuses primarily on developing proficiency in reading and listening. Students will interpret a wide variety of textual text materials as well as developing skills and strategies for reading and listening. The reading materials include many types of texts, including biographies, essays, poetry, messages, technical reports, opinion papers, and personal letters. Students will continue developing their grammar, vocabulary, kanji, and writing skills as they progress through the advanced level Japanese language courses. Through this course, students will develop culturally appropriate communication skills in both spoken and written Japanese. See the description of JPNS 3110-3120 in the EALC Japanese Undergraduate Brochure, pp.7-9.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

Students who are successful in this course will be expected to be able to

1. read and discuss the following types of Japanese texts at an intermediate to high level of proficiency:

• literary pieces: stories, essays,
• poetry, songs,
• personal letters, messages,
• newspapers, ads, weather reports,
• others.

2. read and understand the Japanese materials presented at an intermediate to high level of proficiency and develop the following reading skills:

• language skills (vocabulary, grammar, and discourse),
• modes of reading (thorough reading, rapid reading, skimming, scanning),
• reading processes (deciphering, sentence structure analysis, comprehension of the content).

3. comprehend approximately 250-300 kanji introduced during the semester.

4. write:

• summaries for reading and listening materials on the topics given in class,
• a report on the project conducted during the semester,
• kanji introduced in class.

5. listen to intermediate to high level Japanese. (Students will watch an animation entitled "Mimi o sumaseba" for a listening activity and to learn culture.)

6. understand socio-cultural aspects in addition to the language.

EXPECTATIONS OF STUDENTS (STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES)

I assume that you are well motivated to learn the Japanese language. I expect that you and the instructor will communicate in Japanese in class, including instructions for assigned activities. You will soon find yourself quite capable of discussing and explaining even complicated topics in Japanese by using sentence structures and vocabulary that you have already studied. I encourage you to think in JAPANESE and use Japanese as a tool. This is the best way to learn a language and to cognitively internalize a different language system from your native tongue. If you have difficulty in asking questions in Japanese, please ask for permission to speak in English or ask them after class.

As you know, it is your responsibility to come to class prepared every day. You are expected not only to attend classes but also to actively contribute to classroom activities. Speak Japanese in class, study the textbook, listen to the CDs, and complete all assignments. I expect you to spend time studying on your own outside of the classroom. If you have questions or are frustrated from time to time, don't hesitate to talk to the instructor. The instructor will help you to learn and will work with you as much as possible in class and outside of class. Enjoy learning the Japanese language.

REQUIREMENTS AND EVALUATIONS

1. Class Participation and Daily Performance

You are responsible for informing the instructor in advance of absences. Our class time is limited and should be used in the most efficient manner possible. Each hour is highly structured with specific activities. Students are required to prepare for class by reading the textbook and reviewing the lesson for the day. It is extremely important to study the grammar notes for each chapter. Each student is expected to actively participate in class both as an individual and as a collaborator in a group. Your progress, not your performance compared to others in class, is evaluated. If you have difficulty following the schedule, or if you have any questions concerning the course, talk to the instructor.

2. Homework Assignments

In order to build on one's language skills, students are expected to complete the homework assignments and turn them in by the due date. Late submission will result in reduced points. Homework assignments more than one week overdue will not be counted toward your grade.

3. Quizzes and Examinations

There will be two written and listening comprehension examinations and a final examination. There will be a weekly quiz on grammar and vocabulary introduced during the week. You are supposed to work on new kanji from this semester's textbook and handouts. Students are expected to take all examinations at the announced time. A student may make up a missed exam only if the student has reasons that are genuine, compelling, and substantially beyond the student's control. The student should be prepared to document his/her claim.

4. Your own kanji sheets and sakubun.

You are responsible for collecting approximately 250 new kanji introduced in class and kanji you have chosen from other reading materials. During the semester, you will make kanji lists and create several sakubun in which you use those new kanji in context.

5. Project

Design:

1. an interview project.
   The topic will be a comparison of some aspect of life, culture, or customs between Japan and America. You will need to interview a Japanese person or someone who speaks Japanese. The topic can be chosen from the textbook.
2. a reading project.
   Read an essay, short story, or other materials in Japanese that interest you.

You will submit a proposal and consult with the instructor. You will discuss the progress of the project with the instructor on a weekly basis. Either project must include

1. an oral presentation of 5-10 minutes.
2. a written report: your topic, an interview or summary of your readings, your comments, opinions and conclusions ( of genkoo Yooshi). You also need to turn in new vocabulary and your kanji list.

Steps for an interview project

1. Choose a topic (e.g., food, fashion, transportation, travel).
2. Conduct library or internet research to find background knowledge about the topic. Find one or two articles.
   **One article is to be shared with your classmates.
3. Compose several questions for an interview.
4. Make an appointment with an interviewee.
5. See the interviewee and record the interview on a tape recorder.
6. Listen to the tape and summarize the interview results.
7. Write a report which includes
   1. an introduction,
   2. research review,
   3. interview questions,
   4. results,
   5. your comments and conclusion.
8. Make a make a vocabulary and kanji list.

Steps for the reading project

1. Find articles, stories, novels, or any reading materials in the library or using an internet search.
   **One item of the reading materials is to be shared with classmates.
2. Understand materials and make questions for each paragraph.
3. Write a summary of the content in Japanese.
4. Write a report which includes
1. an introduction,
2. a summary of your reading,
3. your comments, interpretation, or analysis,
4. conclusion,
5. your questions for each paragraph.
5. Make a make vocabulary and kanji list.

TEACHING PROJECT

Students are expected to sign up for a "grammar notes" presentation. For each grammar note, students develop an activity and administer it in class for 5 minutes.

GRADING

• Class participation & contribution: 20%
• Homework assignments & quizzes: 20%
• Examinations (written & listening): 20%
• Final examination: 20%
• Project: 15%
• Teaching project: 5%
  
  
• Total: 100%

EVALUATION

Final letter grade will be determined according to the following scale.

• 93-100%: A
• 90-92%: A-
• 86-89%: B+
• 80-85%: B
• 76-79%: B-
• 73-75%: C+
• 66-72%: C
• 63-65%: C-
• 60-62%: D+
• 56-59%: D
• 55 or below: F