top

Instructors

There are two major objectives for Japan 234:

1) to continue to introduce the basic four skills (speaking, listening, reading, and writing) of modern Japanese. 

2) to increase fluency and expand the expressiveness of already learned communicative skills in Japanese

The purpose of the course is to build a solid foundation in Japanese grammar while developing communicative skills in Japanese.  Classroom activities and homework assignments are designed to help students achieve a practical command of the language.  First hour (8:30-9:30) will be used to review and practice listening, speaking, and reading. Second hour (9:40-10:40) will be lecture on new grammar. Quiz section (10:50-1:00) will be activities using Japanese. Daily quizzes will be given during quiz section.

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

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.

Section and lecture attendance is mandatory. 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.

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.