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Japanese Language Programs

Curriculum

Students must be enrolled as full time students at JCMU (at least 12 credit hours as undergraduates during the academic year and 10 during the summer semester). The JCMU curriculum includes:

Intensive Japanese Language

Regardless of prior coursework in Japanese, students will be placed in language courses based on a placement test administered after arrival in Hikone. At all levels of instruction, the opportunities and special needs that arise from studying Japanese in Japan are considered. Credit awarded depends on home university policies, prior Japanese coursework and other factors. See your advisor for details.

Elective Courses

In addition to the Intensive Japanese Language course, during the academic year each student takes at least one elective. Each semester a variety of electives are offered by the JCMU Resident Director, visiting scholars, and through Shiga University and the University of Shiga Prefecture, our partner institutions.

Independent Study Projects

Students are welcome to pursue independent study projects. To receive academic credit for Independent Study, an academic faculty member from your home campus must approve the project in advance in writing. Arrangements must be made and written approval received from your academic advisor before you leave for Japan. Additionally, in order to insure that the project can receive the resource support necessary for its successful completion in Japan, prior review and written approval for the project is required from the JCMU Resident Director in coordination with the JCMU Internship Coordinator. Of special importance is advance notification of any library materials that are either expected or desired to ascertain their availability in the Center's still developing collection.

Textbooks, Class Instructional Materials and Library Resources

Most textbooks and instructional materials will be provided. A small but growing number of reference and research materials are available at the Center's library.

Letter Grades and the MSU Numerical Equivalents

4.0: A+/A
3.5: A-/B+
3.0: B
2.5: B-/C+
2.0: C
1.5: C-/D+
1.0: D/D-
0.0: F

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Academic Policy

Attendance

  1. Class attendance is mandatory: Students enrolled in the Intensive Japanese Program will be dismissed from the program if they accumulate 15 unexcused absences (15 hours, not days). An absence may be excused with a note certifying an illness from the doctor in Japan who diagnosed the illness and prescribed the treatment. Students must keep in mind that, due to the intensive nature of the language program, a total of more than 22 hours of absences (whether they are unexcused or excused) will not be accepted, except in extremely special cases. Students also have to keep in mind that, by being absent, they will miss other opportunities to take quizzes or tests, to turn in homework and so forth, in addition to learning new materials in class. 

  2. Students are expected to be punctual. Being late five minutes or more is unacceptable, and will be counted against one's attendance grade. Three tardies will count as one absence.

  3. Excusing any absence or lateness due to weather, public transportation problems or other reasons will be decided by the JCMU Director in consultation with the Japanese Language Program Coordinator.

Assignments

  1. Late assignments will not be accepted. If you know in advance that you will be absent, you may hand in your homework before the due date.
  2. Incomplete or poorly-done assignments (as judged by the instructor) will not be accepted.

Tests/Quizzes/Examination

  1. Quiz days will be announced in the weekly schedule.
  2. Test and examination days will be outlined at the beginning of each term.
  3. There will be no make-up quizzes, tests or examinations. ("making up" here means taking a quiz both before and after the scheduled time.)

Miscellaneous

  1. The use of English in the classroom is strictly prohibited without prior permission requested (in Japanese) and given by the instructor. Ex. "Sumimasen, Eigo de ii desu ka?" Speaking English is discouraged anywhere in the academic building during the morning sessions.
  2. The following are forbidden in the classroom: food, drink besides water, gum-chewing, and wearing hats of any kind.
  3. The course strives for a high level of accuracy in the student's Japanese. To that effect, students should expect to be corrected in class. This should not be taken personally and should not inhibit one's participation in class. This measure is to ensure students practice only correct and productive Japanese.
  4. Students are expected to come to class well-prepared. Preparation for class makes a significant difference in the ability of the class as a whole to progress. Please familiarize yourself with the new lesson, vocabulary, and grammar prior to the class. Any questions raised during your study will be answered in class.
  5. Students are expected to study a minimum of 3-4 hours outside of class daily.

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Weekly Schedule - Fall or Spring Semester

The typical schedule for classes is as follows:

  • 9:00 AM - 11:50 AM | Japanese Class (1st, 2nd, and 3rd hour)

One day a week (typically Wednesday or Friday), the schedule is as follows:

  • 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM | Weekly Japanese Test
  • 10:00 AM - 11:50 AM | Weekly Cultural Activity

'Typical' schedules are provided to give a general idea of the class days and times. Actual class times / days may vary by year and semester. Each hour of class is actually 50 minutes, with a 10 minute break at the end.

All students receive at least one individual session with their Japanese language instructor each week. These are about twenty minutes long and are conducted during the instructors' office hours (1:00 PM - 5:00 PM)

In addition to Japanese language classes, students take at least* 1 JCMU elective course and participate in a 1-credit JCMU Experience course during the semester program. The class schedules for JCMU electives will vary by course, but generally meet one or two times a week sometime between 12:30 PM - 5 PM Monday through Friday.

*Some JCMU partner institutions may require their students to enroll in 2 JCMU electives (in addition to the required 1-credit JCMU Experience course) in order to meet enrollment requirements at the students' home institution. Please consult with your home institution if you have questions or concerns regarding JCMU enrollment, course equivalencies, etc.

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Weekly Schedule - Summer

The typical Monday-Thursday schedule for classes is as follows:

  • 9:00 AM - 11:50 AM | Japanese Class (1st, 2nd, and 3rd hour)
  • 11:50 AM - 1:00 PM | Lunch Break
  • 1:00 PM - 1:50 PM | Japanese Class (4th hour)

A typical Friday schedule is as follows:

  • 9:00 AM - 11:50 AM | Japanese Class (1st, 2nd, and 3rd hour)
  • 11:50 AM - 1:00 PM | Lunch Break
  • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM | Weekly Cultural Activity

During the summer, two midterm exams and a final exam will be given. Midterm exams will be held on Friday with a typical schedule as follows:

  • 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM | Exam
  • 11:50 AM - 1:00 PM | Lunch Break
  • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM | Weekly Cultural Activity

'Typical' schedules are provided to give a general idea of the class days and times. Actual class times / days may vary by year and semester. Each hour of class is actually 50 minutes, with a 10 minute break at the end.

All Summer Intensive Language Program students receive at least one individual session with their Japanese language instructor each week. These are about twenty minutes long and are conducted during the instructors' office hours (2:00 PM - 5:00 PM)

Students do not take elective courses during the Summer Intensive Program.

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