Japan134_syllabus

Introduction

.pdf version

Instructors

Course Webpage

Japan 134 is an intensive course inin First year Japanese (equivalent of Japan 101-103) No previous background in Japnaese is assumed. top
Instructors	name	e-mail
main instructor	Kaoru Ohta (太田　薫)	kaoru@uw.edu
TA	DeTora, Benjamin	bdetora@uw.edu
	Ding, Jaimie	jding815@uw.edu
	Ma, Sihan	sihanm2@uw.edu
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Course webpage	http://courses.washington.edu/jlang134/Japan134_S2022/Japan134_home.htm
mailman	japan134a_su21@uw.edu
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Objectives

There are two major objectives for Japan 134:

Japan 134 aims at introducing basic four skills (speaking, listening, reading, and writing) of modern Japanese. The purpose of the course is to build a solid foundation in the Japanese grammar while developing communicative skills in Japanese. Classroom activities and homework assignment are designed to help students achieve a practical command of the language. Weekly lecture covers some important grammatical features of the topics covered in the quiz sections. At the end of the course, students are expected to able to:

Goals: At the end of the course, students are expected to be able to:

i)	read and write Japanese script with approximately 150 Kanji characters;
ii)	describe events (what will happen/happened, who will do/did what) in Japanese
iii)	state things you see around your surroundings
iv)	Learn how to talk about appearances, physical characteristics
v)	know the basic phonological, morphological, and syntactic structures of Japanese
vi)	read various styles of simply Japanese essays and fictious stories
vii)	understand various speech styles and become familiar with how to carry out conversation in a different style

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Lectures
A	M-F	8:30-10:40	GWN 301	Ohta
Quiz Sections
A	M-F	10:50-1:00	SAV 134	DeTora
B			SAV 155	Ding
C			SMI 407	Ma
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Required Materials	Textbook	Genki 1 (3nd edition) by Banno el. al (The Japan Times)
	Workbook/Lab Manual	Genki 1 Workbook (3nd edition) by Banno et. al (The Japan Times)
	Textbook and Workbook are available at the University Bookstore

	Course Packet	Provided on Canvas

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Expectations

Students are expected to study a minimum of 1.5~2 hours per contact hour everyday. This means that at least 6 hours must be spent for reviewing and preparing for this course AFTER class is over for each day. Studying includes both review of materials covered and preparation for the next day’s class. Along with doing assigned homework, it is imperative that students review what was covered in class by going over activities done that day in the class, studying vocabulary, and practicing with classmates. Studying with a study partner is highly recommended. Through the course webpage, online exercises are also available.

We expect students to participate in all online activities. No attendance credits will be given if you come late (for more than 15 min.) or leave early. Since this is an intensive course and new materials are introduced everyday, it will be very difficult to catch up with the work if you miss a few days (please note that one day in the intensive schedule is equivalent to about one week during a regular academic year). If you miss a class, it is your responsibility to obtain missed assignments/notes from a classmate.

Lectures will introduce grammatical patterns, discuss common mistakes, explain socio-cultural aspects of Japanese, and answer your questions.

Sections are conducted all in Japanese. This is because sections are designed to help you learn grammar points, vocabulary, and how to use them in communicative situations through use of Japanese. You may ask questions about grammar, etc., in English before or after the section, during the lecture, during office hours, or by e-mail directly to a TA or to the professor. Active participation in sections is expected. Pair/group activities during sections are most valuable when students participate in them using Japanese as much as possible.

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Grades: Your final grades will be determined based on the following breakdown. Grade distribution is "absolute grading method based on fixed scale." Read also carefully about our make-up policies.
Attendance/Class Participation	10%
Homework	15%
Projects	3%
Quizzes	24%
6 Exams	24%
Oral Assessments	24%
Attendance: Full credit will be given to those who are present at the bell until the end of class. Tardiness or leaving early will be so marked and may not receive any credit. You also must participate in class activities in order to receive a full credit. If you miss section or lecture for unexpected reasons, it is your responsibility to "catch up." This includes assignments. Please be reminded that lack of attendance or preparation on your part does not obligate your teachers to take up the slack.
Homework: Homework is assigned daily, and may be announced/distributed in either sections or lecture sessions. For Homework schedule, see Canvas. In order to receive a full credit, each assignment must be completed fully and carefully by the due date. You answers must be checked using the answer keys provided (on the course web page) prior to submission wherever the answer keys are provided. All the assignments will be uploaded on Canvas. Please use a scanner. Late homework is only accepted in case of unexpected emergency. There will also be assignments in which you submit your audio files of your recording using Catalyst’s dropbox. You will need a microphone (if your computer has a built-in microphone, you may use it). A free software will be provided which allows you to record your voice on your computer. Details and topics will be announced during lecture.
Projects: Through this activities, students will be asked to use the learned skills and knowledge creatively to make Japanese slideshows/video to present to the class. Details will be announced later.
Quizzes: There will be quizzes throughout the course. Please see the schedule for the dates. These quizzes will cover basic grammar/vocabulary/kanji and generally 5~10 min. long. In contast to Chapter test, each quiz has a very limited range of subject(s) covered and the details will be announced in quiz section.
6 Exams: There will be six “comprehensive” exams (every 2 chapters). No make-ups will be given except for unexpected emergencies or serious illness and ONLY IF an appropriate documentation is submitted. A make-up exam must be scheduled within 2 days of the original scheduled date. No make-ups can be arranged after that date irrespective of the circumstances
Oral Exams: Regularly your oral performance will be checked during sections. Additionally, students will be assigned four oral performances/interviews as scheduled. Details will be announced in week 7.
Make-up Policies: There are no make-ups for quizzes, orals, or exams. It is your responsibility to attend class daily, including days when quizzes are administered. The lowest weekly quiz will be dropped to permit flexibility and to accommodated emergencies and illness. The only exception can be pre-arranged if students will participate in official university business. Make-up quizzes and exams will NEVER be granted for personal travel (including family obligations) or social engagements (whether or not university-related). In either case, a proper documentation must be submitted for approval and a prior arrangement must be made. No make-up will be granted for whatever reasons, including official university business AFTER the date when a quiz, exam, or oral exam is administered.
What does a course grade mean? 3.9 - 4.0 (A): Superior performance in all aspects of the course with work exemplifying the highest quality. Unquestionably prepared for subsequent courses in field. 3.5-3.8 (A-): Superior performance in most aspects of the course; high quality work in the remainder. Unquestionably prepared for subsequent courses in field. 3.2 - 3.4 (B+): High quality performance in all or most aspects of the course. Very good chance of success in subsequent courses in field. 2.9 - 3.1(B): High quality performance in some of the course; satisfactory performance in the remainder. Good chance of success in subsequent courses in field. 2.5 - 2.8 (B-): Satisfactory performance in the course. Evidence of sufficient learning to succeed in subsequent courses in field. 2.2 - 2.4 (C+): Satisfactory performance in most of the course, with the remainder being somewhat substandard. Evidence of sufficient learning to succeed in subsequent courses in field with effort. 1.9 - 2.1 (C): Evidence of some learning but generally marginal performance. Marginal chance of success in subsequent courses in field. 1.5 - 1.8 (C-): Minimal learning and substandard performance throughout the course. Doubtful chance of success in subsequent courses. 1.2 - 1.4 (D+): Minimal learning and low quality performance throughout the course. Doubtful chance of success in subsequent courses. 0.9 - 1.1 (D): Very minimal learning and very low quality performance in all aspects of the course. Highly doubtful chance of success in subsequent courses in field. 0.7 - 0.8 (D-): Little evidence of learning. Poor performance in all aspects of the course. Almost totally unprepared for subsequent courses in field. 0.0 (E): Complete absence of evidence of learning. Totally unprepared for subsequent courses in field.

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The following is the announcement by the Graduate school and the department about the instruction of teaching assistants:

"If you have any concern about the instruction of your teaching assistant, please see him/her about these concerns as soon as possible. If you are not comfortable talking with your TA, or not satisfied with the response that you receive, you may contact the main instructor.

If you are still not satisfied with the response that you receive, you may contact Prof. Zev Handle .chair of the department of Asian Languages and Literature in Gowen 225 or at 206.543.4996. You may also contact the Graduate School at G-1 Communications Bldg, by phone at (206) 543-5900, or by e-mail at efeetham@u.washington.edu.