Course Descriptions

JAPN 131 Elementary Japanese I (4)

The goal of this course is the development of fundamental communication skills in real-life settings. All four language skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) and culture will be emphasized. Class will be conducted based on explanations of language structures and various activities. Approximately 30 kanji in addition to hiragana and katakana will be introduced..

  • Offering: Fall
  • Instructor: Johnson

JAPN 132 Elementary Japanese II (4)

The goal of this course is the development of fundamental communication skills in real-life settings. All four language skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) and culture will be emphasized. Class will be conducted based on explanations of language structures and various activities. Approximately 70 new kanji will be introduced.

  • Prerequisite: JAPN 131 or consent of instructor
  • Offering: Spring
  • Instructor: Johnson

JAPN 199 Topics in Japanese Studies (1-4)

A semester-long study of topics in Japanese Studies. Topics and emphases will vary according to the instructor. This course may be repeated for credit with different topics. See the New and Topics Courses page on the Registrar’s webpage for descriptions and applicability to majors/minors in other departments.

  • General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Topic dependent
  • Prerequisite: Topic dependent
  • Offering: Occasionally
  • Professor: Staff

JAPN 201W Modern Japanese Society and Culture (4)

An introduction to modern Japan through its social institutions, beliefs and cultural practices. Representative topics include: marriage and family life, child-rearing, education, religion, the role of women, attitude toward work and leisure, organization of the workplace, and social issues such as environmental and sustainability issues. Writing-centered. Conducted in English.

  • General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Writing-centered; Arts & Humanities, Social Sciences; World Engagement: CV
  • Offering: Alternate years in fall
  • Instructor: Fujiwara

JAPN 231 Intermediate Japanese I (4)

The goal of this course is the development of communication skills in a large range of everyday conversations. All four language skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) and culture will be emphasized in this course. Class will be conducted based on explanations of language structures and various activities. Approximately 80 new kanji will be introduced.

  • Prerequisite: JAPN 132 or consent of instructor
  • Offering: Fall
  • Instructor: Johnson

JAPN 232 Intermediate Japanese II (4)

The goal of this course is the development of communication skills in a large range of everyday conversations. All four language skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) and culture will be emphasized in this course. Class will be conducted based on explanations of language structures and various activities. Approximately 80 new kanji will be introduced.

  • Prerequisite: JAPN 231 or consent of instructor
  • Offering: Spring
  • Instructor: Johnson

JAPN 299 Topics in Japanese Studies (1-4)

A semester-long study of topics in Japanese Studies. Topics and emphases will vary according to the instructor. This course may be repeated for credit with different topics. See the New and Topics Courses page on the Registrar’s webpage for descriptions and applicability to majors/minors in other departments.

  • General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Topic dependent
  • Prerequisite: Topic dependent
  • Offering: Occasionally
  • Professor: Staff

JAPN 314W Japanese Literature in Translation (4)

The course examines selected works in novels, essays, drama and poetry from the classical and modern periods. Emphasis will be on 19th- and 20th-century novels, novellas and short stories. The works are viewed in their historical context so that the unique aspects of Japanese literature can be appreciated.

  • General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Writing-centered; Arts & Humanities; World Engagement: CV
  • Offering: Alternate years in fall
  • Instructor: Staff

JAPN 331 Third Year Japanese I (4)

Third Year Japanese I begins with a comprehensive pattern review with an emphasis on speaking. Chinese characters are learned, approximately 20 per week, and students are tested regularly. In Third Year Japanese II, more attention will be given to reading. Students will be expected to read materials in Japanese and discuss them in class in Japanese. Students should be able to read and recognize approximately 900 Chinese characters by the end of the year.

  • General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Arts & Humanities
  • Offering: Fall
  • Instructor: Fujiwara

JAPN 332 Third Year Japanese II (4)

Third Year Japanese I begins with a comprehensive pattern review with an emphasis on speaking. Chinese characters are learned, approximately 20 per week, and students are tested regularly. In Third Year Japanese II, more attention will be given to reading. Students will be expected to read materials in Japanese and discuss them in class in Japanese. Students should be able to read and recognize approximately 900 Chinese characters by the end of the year.

  • General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Arts & Humanities
  • Offering: Spring
  • Instructor: Fujiwara

JAPN 340 The Japanese Cinema (4)

A survey of major Japanese films and film directors from the "golden age" of Japanese cinema in the 1950s - 1960s to the present. Emphasis will be on the style and feel of Japanese films, and how stylistic elements embody and reflect traditional aesthetics, the social and political contexts of the films and aspects of their production and consumption will be examined as well. Conducted in English.

  • General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Arts & Humanities; World Engagement: CV
  • Offering: Alternate years
  • Instructor: Staff

JAPN 380 Practicum in Japanese Language Facilitation (1-2)

Open to native speakers or advanced students of Japanese. Native/advanced speakers will attend some class sessions and work under the supervision of a faculty member, assisting students enrolled in Japanese language classes. Native/advanced speakers will keep a journal of their observations and their application of pedagogical principles as they assist students in developing their language skills. A weekly session with the instructor will be an integral part of this course. Credit/NC only. May be repeated for credit up to three times. 

  • Course is offered as Credit/No Credit
  • General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Arts & Humanities
  • Prerequisite: Consent of instructor
  • Offering: Every Semester
  • Instructor: Fujiwara

JAPN 394 Internship (1-4)

Internships provide opportunities for students to work in a for profit company, a government office or agency, a non-profit organization, or even within an on-campus program. Internships for credit require that students work in the environment where they will use their Japanese language skills and/or cultural competencies as well as gain transferable job skills. In addition to the work of the internship itself, students will complete regular written reflections about what they are learning and complete a final report. Internships are completed during the Fall, Spring, or Summer months. The course may not be taken for more than 4 semester hours in Japanese Studies. Interested students should contact the instructor the semester prior to their internship.

  • General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Arts & Humanities 
  • Prerequisite: Instructor consent
  • Offering: Annually
  • Professor: Staff

JAPN 399 Topics in Japanese Studies (1-4)

A semester-long study of topics in Japanese Studies. Topics and emphases will vary according to the instructor. This course may be repeated for credit with different topics. See the New and Topics Courses page on the Registrar’s webpage for descriptions and applicability to majors/minors in other departments.

  • General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Topic dependent
  • Prerequisite: Topic dependent
  • Offering: Occasionally
  • Professor: Staff

JAPN 429 Topics in Japanese Studies (1-4)

A semester-long study of topics in Japanese Studies. Topics and emphases will vary according to the instructor. This course may be repeated for credit with different topics. See the New and Topics Courses page on the Registrar’s webpage for descriptions and applicability to majors/minors in other departments.

  • General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Topic dependent
  • Prerequisite: Topic dependent
  • Offering: Occasionally
  • Professor: Staff

JAPN 430 Japanese Reading and Composition I (4)

Emphasis on vocabulary, reading, writing and kanji expansion. Grammar will be reviewed through various short formal and informal writing assignments and readings will be selected from a variety of materials including authentic texts.

  • General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Arts & Humanities
  • Prerequisite: JAPN 332
  • Offering: Fall
  • Instructor: Fujiwara

JAPN 431 Japanese Reading and Composition II (4)

Emphasis on vocabulary, reading, writing and kanji expansion. Grammar will be reviewed through various short formal and informal writing assignments and readings will be selected from a variety of materials including authentic texts.

  • General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Arts & Humanities
  • Prerequisite: JAPN 430
  • Offering: Spring
  • Instructor: Fujiwara

JAPN 432 Conversational Japanese I (4)

Emphasis on development of practical conversational proficiency in a culturally and linguistically appropriate way in both formal and informal styles. Intensive training in oral expression and listening comprehension exercises, including authentic listening materials and vocabulary enlargement.

  • General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Arts & Humanities
  • Prerequisite: JAPN 332
  • Offering: Fall
  • Instructor: Fujiwara

JAPN 434 Conversational Japanese II (4)

Emphasis on development of practical conversational proficiency in a culturally and linguistically appropriate way in both formal and informal styles. Intensive training in oral expression and listening comprehension exercises, including authentic listening materials and vocabulary enlargement.

  • General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Arts & Humanities
  • Prerequisite: JAPN 432
  • Offering: Spring
  • Instructor: Fujiwara

JAPN 490 and 491 Reading and Conference (1-4)

Designed to enable students who have a sound grasp of Japanese grammar to develop reading skills and to extend their knowledge of Chinese characters. Students must have completed two years of college Japanese and/or studied Japanese in Japan.

  • General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Arts & Humanities
  • Prerequisite: Consent of instructor
  • Offering: On demand
  • Instructor: Fujiwara

JAPN 499W Senior Seminar (4)

[Crosslisted with CHNSE 499W]

Provides a framework for students to develop a research project or other equivalent activity in consultation with faculty. The objective of the Senior Year Experience will be to consolidate and integrate the student's knowledge of Japan and/or China and the fields of Japanese Studies and/or Chinese Studies. Conducted in English.

  • General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Writing-centered; Arts & Humanities
  • Offering: Spring
  • Instructor: Staff
Willamette University

Japanese Studies

Address
900 State Street
Salem Oregon 97301 U.S.A.
Phone
503-370-6015 voice
503-370-6720 fax

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