JAPN 101.  Travel Japanese   (3).

Designed to teach basic conversational skills in a variety of situations that are commonly faced by travelers. Includes information about culture, expectations, and taboos that helps travelers better navigate in a country with different societal norms. Course includes diversity content. Repeatable for credit.

JAPN 104.  Introductory Japanese   (3).

Students develop basic listening, speaking, reading and writing skills (including hiragana and katakana) in the target language and gain awareness of Japanese cultures. Besides work in the classroom, assignments to be completed outside of class are required. Intended for students with no previous formal instruction in Japanese. Anyone with previous instruction must take the placement exam and are admitted to 104 only if the placement score does not qualify the student for JAPN 105. Course includes diversity content.

JAPN 105.  Elementary Japanese I   (3).

Students continue to develop the four fundamental skills in the target language (listening, speaking, reading and writing (~50 kanji)) and gain cultural awareness and communicative skills in a range of social situations. Besides work in the classroom, assignments to be completed outside of class are required. Course includes diversity content. Prerequisite(s): JAPN 104 or equivalent or qualifying score on departmental placement exam.

JAPN 106.  Elementary Japanese II   (3).

Students engage in culturally appropriate communicative tasks in different registers and situations to further develop listening, speaking, reading and writing skills (~100 kanji). Besides work in the classroom, assignments to be completed outside of class are required. Course includes diversity content. Prerequisite(s): JAPN 105 or equivalent or qualifying score on departmental placement exam.

JAPN 204.  Intermediate Japanese   (3).

General education humanities course. Students expand their knowledge of Japan and enhance proficiency in expressing personal meaning in culturally appropriate language. Grammatical elements and practical vocabulary coalesce through conversational practice; routine complications are resolved with greater ease in the target language. Besides work in the classroom, assignments to be completed outside the class are required. Course includes diversity content. Prerequisite(s): JAPN 106 or qualifying score on departmental placement exam.

JAPN 223.  Intermediate Japanese I   (3).

Includes fundamentals of pronunciation, vocabulary building, practice in understanding and speaking phrases, reading, and writing. Draws examples from Japanese culture, politics and society. Prerequisite(s): JAPN 112 or equivalent.

JAPN 224.  Intermediate Japanese II   (3).

The following topics may be covered: 1) intermediate Japanese grammar and conversation; 2) Japanese business terminology and expressions; and 3) intermediate-level readings. Course includes diversity content. Prerequisite(s): JAPN 204, JAPN 223, or equivalent; or instructor's consent.

JAPN 225.  Japanese Conversation   (3).

Develops oral and aural proficiency and culturally appropriate communication strategies through simulated conversation, listening activities, vocabulary building and pronunciation practice. Topics include: introductions, customs and manners regarding food; using transportation and asking directions; sightseeing and history of famous landmarks; and potential and passive forms. By the end of this course, students can navigate a trip to Japan independently. Prerequisite(s): JAPN 106 or equivalent.

JAPN 228.  Introduction to Japanese Philosophy   (3).

General education humanities course. Cross-listed as PHIL 228. A survey of Japanese philosophy that selects topics and relevant figures from the ancient period (roughly the late sixth century CE) to the present day. Examines the emergence of Japanese philosophical contributions from philosophical movements like Buddhism (especially Zen and Pure Land Buddhism), Confucianism, and Shintoism prior to the Meiji Restoration in 1868 and the appropriation and critique of Western philosophy in the post-Meiji era. Topics may include the nature of reality, aesthetics, the “bodymind,” ethics, impermanence and the significance of death, the insubstantial self, questions about meaning, environmental philosophy, and philosophy of technology. Course includes diversity content.

JAPN 300.  Special Studies   (1-3).

An umbrella course created to explore a variety of subtopics differentiated by letter (e.g., 300A, 300B). Not all subtopics are offered each semester – see the course schedule for availability. Students enroll in the lettered courses with specific topics in the titles rather than in this root course. Prerequisite(s): instructor's consent.

JAPN 310.  Japanese Grammar and JLPT Prep   (3).

Designed to help students improve mid-to-high-level Japanese grammar to prepare for the Japanese Language Proficiency Exam with a focus on grammar and reading, as well as study in the areas of listening comprehension, vocabulary and kanji. Readings cover topics related to Japanese culture and daily life in Japan. Students also learn test-taking skills and complete sample tests to familiarize themselves with the exam. Students are given a pretest to determine the appropriate level of study. Course includes diversity content. Prerequisite(s): JAPN 111 and JAPN 112. Pre- or corequisite(s): JAPN 223.

JAPN 315.  Study Abroad Transfer Credit   (1-6).

Transfer of credit from sister institution in Japan through study abroad.

JAPN 320.  Intermediate Japanese Reading   (3).

Includes fundamentals of pronunciation of kanji characters, vocabulary building, practice in understanding and speaking phrases, reading and writing. Draws examples from Japanese culture and society. Course includes diversity content. Prerequisite(s): JAPN 224 or equivalent.

JAPN 322.  Japanese Film   (3).

General education humanities course. Cross-listed as PHIL 307. Focuses on how Japanese culture is expressed via film. Intends to increase the student’s understanding of the rich history of Japan, Japanese mythology and symbolism, and ways in which these elements differ from what students are accustomed to seeing in American media. Course includes diversity content.

JAPN 323.  Japanese Anime and Manga   (3).

Analyzes the cultural and historical significance of animation and manga (Japanese comics) in Japan. Looks at the ways in which animation and manga are influenced by Japanese culture, and how Japanese culture has been influenced by these forms of media. Discusses the worldwide popularity of anime/manga and how it has influenced world views of Japan. Course includes diversity content.

JAPN 324.  Japanese Culture and Society   (3).

General education humanities course. Learn about Japanese culture and history on a variety of topics including Japanese social organization, basic history, classical and modern arts, current societal issues, and cultural taboos and expectations. This course is taught in English. Course includes diversity content.

JAPN 325.  Japanese Conversation II   (3).

Develops oral fluency through listening, vocabulary building, culturally-appropriate communication strategies and pronunciation. Course includes diversity content. Prerequisite(s): JAPN 225 or JAPN 315 or instructor’s consent.

JAPN 398.  Travel Sem Japan   (1-4).

Interdisciplinary travel seminar that allows a student to gain credit for the study of one of the following: culture, art, literature, architecture, politics, society, science and economics, while visiting historic places of interest.