Language Courses

Course Description

This course presumes no prior background in the Japanese language. Students will develop a solid foundation with adequate levels of four skills: speaking, listening, reading, and writing.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

1. function at a survival level in daily life (shopping by oneself, making requests, initiating and receiving phone calls, etc.);
2. handle other conversational situations they encounter in daily life by making the most of what has been introduced in the textbook;
3. comprehend approximately 160 kanji in addition to all the hiragana and katakana symbols which are contextualized in given texts;
4. write simple passages with appropriate combination of kana symbols and kanji that have been introduced in the textbook;
5. understand and appreciate many aspects of Japanese socio-cultural practices; and
6. make a speech on a certain topic by using a variety of basic structural patterns to be introduced on this level.

Coverage

Genki L.1 - L.12

Textbooks & Other Materials

• Banno et. al. Genki I
• Banno et. al. Genki Workbook I
• Various worksheets and handouts

Course Description

This course is designed for students who have successfully completed Japanese courses at a college level for a minimum of one year (approximately 150 hours of classes) or those who have obtained a comparable level of competency, including mastery of around 150 basic kanji used in various contexts.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

1. improve all four skills (speaking, listening, reading, and writing) to the point where they can explain and describe things more precisely and in detail;
2. demonstrate a rudimentary understanding and appreciation of important socio-cultural practices central to effective communication in Japan;
3. utilize an additional 200 kanji in various contexts with accuracy;
4. improve the reading and writing skills through the use of essays and short stories with more complex structural patterns;
5. increase awareness of the different levels and styles of speech (written/spoken, formal/informal, men's/women's, and polite expressions);
6. exhibit a wider appreciation of Japanese customs, culture, and social phenomena; and
7. make a speech on a certain topic by using a variety of basic structural patterns to be introduced on this level.

Coverage

Genki L.13 - L.23

Textbooks & Other Materials

• Banno et. al. Genki II
• Banno et. al. Genki Workbook II
• Various worksheets and handouts

Course Description

This course is designed for students who have successfully completed Japanese language study through JCMU Level 2 (or who have obtained a comparable level of competency) and are motivated to further develop their Japanese language skills and deepen their understanding of Japanese language and culture. While active development of all four language skills remains a priority in this course, greater emphasis is placed on reading and writing. Classes will be conducted primarily in Japanese. Students are expected to communicate in Japanese during class. 

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

1. describe and narrate daily events and personal experiences in an organized manner, both in speaking and writing (Intermediate-High, as described in the ACTFL Guidelines).
2. participate in daily conversations in Japanese with accurate pronunciation, maintaining linguistic and cultural coherence.
3. exchange thoughts and opinions on topics introduced in class and engage in extended conversations with native Japanese speakers.
4. deliver simple, organized presentations on familiar and concrete topics, comparing and contrasting data in graphs and explaining similarities and differences.
5. listen to longer authentic materials in Japanese and identify participants, themes, social contexts, and main ideas.
6. read authentic or more extensive materials in Japanese, identify participants, themes, key information, and social contexts, and summarize the readings.
7. write about personal experiences, compose book reviews, and express opinions and ideas clearly by discussing online Japanese newspaper articles related to Japanese politics, culture, or society in organized essays.
8. recognize the role of culture and social behavior in communication.
9. utilize various resources, such as dictionaries and online tools, to enhance reading comprehension and conduct research (students will conduct independent research and present their findings in class).

Coverage

Quartet I & II L.1 - L.12

Textbooks & Other Materials

• Tadashi Sakamoto et al., Quartet: Intermediate Japanese Across the Four Language Skills I
• Tadashi Sakamoto et al., Quartet: Intermediate Japanese Across the Four Language Skills I WORKBOOK
• Tadashi Sakamoto et al., Quartet: Intermediate Japanese Across the Four Language Skills II
• Tadashi Sakamoto et al., Quartet: Intermediate Japanese Across the Four Language Skills II WORKBOOK
• Various worksheets and handouts

Course Description

This course is designed for students who have taken Japanese courses at a college level for a minimum of three years and who can demonstrate intermediate-high level of skills in all four areas: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. This course will further improve students' language skills through a wide variety of authentic materials such as newspaper / magazine articles, essays, short stories, movies, and TV dramas.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

1. engage in a wide variety of common conversational situations with a high level of accuracy and fluency;
2. feel comfortable in dealing with authentic materials on a wide variety of topics;
3. express their opinions and lead discussions on the contents of what they have read or watched in the teaching materials both with high level of consistency and sophistication;
4. exhibit a better understanding and appreciation of the cultural, social, and economic realm of contemporary Japan; and
5. make speeches on various topics by using a variety of more sophisticated and complex structural patterns introduced on this level.
6. research a wide variety of topics in Japanese and be confident in presenting and sharing findings.

Coverage

Authentic Japanese Unit 1 - 10

Textbooks & Other Materials

• Kamata et. al. Authentic Japanese: Progressing from Intermediate to Advanced [New Edition]
• Kamata et. al. Authentic Japanese: Progressing from Intermediate to Advanced [New Edition] Workbook
• Various worksheets and handouts
• Various authentic materials

*Contents of the packets are subject to change.

Level Description

JCMU Level 4 Japanese, when offered during Fall and Spring semesters, integrates multiple (required) courses focused on the study and application of advanced Japanese with a focus on developing professional competency in the language:

• Level 4 (Advanced) Japanese Course (6 credits)
• Description: This course is designed for students who have successfully completed Japanese language study through JCMU Level 3 (or who have obtained a comparable level of competency, as evaluated through the JCMU Placement Test). In Level 4, students will use textbook lessons and supplementary videos for each unit, as well as read a variety of advanced-level material including newspaper and magazine articles and literary works. Students will then be able to hold discussions on important themes covered in the lessons. 
• Textbook & Other Materials:
• Kamata et al., Authentic Japanese: Progressing from Intermediate to Advanced [New Edition]
• Kamata et al., Authentic Japanese: Progressing from Intermediate to Advanced [New Edition] Workbook
• Various worksheets and handouts
• Various authentic materials
• Business Japanese for Pre-Professionals (3 credits)
• Description: This course is designed for intermediate-high to advanced-low level students to foster the skills and knowledge necessary for effective communication in Japanese business settings. The prerequisite for this course is that students must have completed second-year Japanese and have some familiarity with Japanese polite language (keigo). The course will cover business vocabulary, polite language (keigo), business etiquette, and practical communication skills.
• Textbook & Other Materials:
• Chiga et al., Omotenashi no Nihongo 
• Reading Packet (assorted materials)
• Japanese Culture & Society - Japanese Working Culture (4 credits total; 1 + 3)
• This course provides an in-depth exploration of Japanese work culture and customs, offering students a comprehensive understanding of the unique business practices, social norms, and cultural intricacies that define the Japanese workplace. Through a combination of lectures, discussions, and hands-on fieldwork, students will gain valuable insights into the dynamics of professional life in Japan.
• Lecture (1 cr.; 30 hours)
• Internship (3 cr.; 90 hours)