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jinja
Study Abroad
Japan 211 is the first of three quarters of second-year Japanese. (211-212-213).  The purpose of the course is to continue building a solid foundation in speaking, listening, reading, and writing, with classroom and homework activities designed to help students achieve a practical command of the language. Approximately 90 Kanji will be introduced in this course.

The prerequisite is Japan113 or equivalent.  Students who have not taken Japan113 should (1) pass the placement test, and (2) consult with the lecturer for further placement.  Passing the placement test means you are exempted from taking first-year Japanese. However, it does not tell you which level is suitable for you.  Therefore, you need to visit the instructor for an interview.  Students who have studied abroad in Japan, or learned Japanese through life experience do not need to take the placement test, but must meet with the lecturer to confirm appropriate placement(* if you have scored 55 or higher on the placement exam, you are advised to start at 212 or higher).  Please also note that there is no minimum grade to proceed to Japan 212 after completing and passing Japan 211.  However, students are expected to receive at least 2.0 (preferably 2.5 or higher) to be successful in subsequent levels in Japanese.  For more details, see the section of “What does a course grade mean?” below.

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Main Instructor Kaoru Ohta (太田　薫）, Ph.D Office: Gowen 246 Ph. 206.543.6936
e-mail: kaoru@u.washington.edu Office hours: M/W 10:30-11:20am or by appointment

Teaching Assistants

Gowen M22４

206.616.6575

 name e-mail office hours
Sato, Yuri （佐藤　友理）

yuris3@uw.edu

 T 1:30-2:20 or by appointment
Suto, Fumi　（須藤　史） dimplesf@uw.edu W 1:30-2:20 or by appointment

Xie, Kai(i謝 開）

kaixie@uw.edu

 T 1:00-2:00 or by appointment
Course webpage https://courses.washington.edu/jlang211/Japan211_A11/Japan211_home.htm
Mailing list Lecture A japan211a_au11@u.washington.edu
Lecture B japan211b_au11@u.washington.edu
Lecture C

japan211c_au11@u.washington.edu
Objectives
Japan 211 aims at continuing to introduce fundamental 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. 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:
i)
talk about your abilities, desire, intention, and hope
ii)
describe the appearance and probability of a situation
iii)
express your willingness to attempt something and preparedness of an action
iv)
state giving and receiving things and give suggestions
v)
form complex sentences using noun modifiers and a temporal conditional clause
in Japanese.  In addition, students should be able to communicate in Japanese in the following contexts:
1) on the phone
2) expressing reasonn
3) selecting an appropriate gift to someone
4) invite friends for activities
5) requsting a favor, apologizing, and expressing wishes
6) explaining someone about things you misplaced and describing things/people in details
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Lectures
A
15341
T/Th
8:30-9:20
DEN 216
Ohta
B
15350
T/Th
10:30-11:20
DEN 216
Ohta
C

15359
T/Th
11:30-12:20
DEN 216
Ohta
Quiz Sections
AA/BA/CA
15342/15351/15360
MWF
8:30-9:20
SMI 305
Sato
AB/BB/CB
15343/15352/15361
MWF
9:30-10:20
SMI 305
Xie
AE/BE/CE
15346/15355/15364
MWF
10:30-11:20
SMI 305
Xie
AF/BF/CF
15347/15356/15365
MWF
11:30-12:20
SMI 305
Sato
AG/BG/CG
15348/15357/15366
MWF
10:30-11:20
SMI 405
Suto
AH/BH/CH
15349/15358/15367
MWF
11:30-12:20
SMI 405
Suto
Required Materials Textbook Genki II (The Japan Times)
Workbook/Lab Manual Genki II Workbook (The Japan Time)
Audio Materials (for Workbook) Student CD for Genki II (The Japan Times)

Course Packet

 Course Packet for Japan 211
Textbook, Workbook, Student CD and Course Packet are available at the University Bookstore
Expectations

Students are expected to study (both preparation and review) a minimum of one hour a day for the course.  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.

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.

Section and lecture attendance is mandatory.  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.  Homework assignments may also be given in the lecture.

Announcements are also made over e-mail.  A class e-mail list will be created based on the 10th-day class list published in Week 3.  If you do not already have an e-mail account, be sure to obtain one by the end of Week 1.
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.
5%
10%
35%
Kanji Quizzes 12%
Vocabulary Quizzes 8%
Mid-term Exam 10%
15%
5%
Attendance: Attending both quiz section and lecture is mandatory.  Failing to attend over 20% of the course will result in no credit.  Please also note that in case you have circumstances beyond your control at the end of the quarter and request an I(ncomplete), the only cases in which a grade of I can be granted are those where the student has regularly attended class throughout the quarter.  Class participation is a combination of your attendance and your instructor’s evaluation of your classroom participation and achievement.  Your instructor will evaluate your performance daily.  The format will vary:  it may be your performance during small group activities, or it may be in the form of pop-quizzes.

Homework:  Homework is assigned daily, and may be announced/distributed in either sections or lecture sessions. For Homework schedule, see the homework schedule page. 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.  No credit will be given for homework completed during class time.  Late homework is only accepted in case of an unexpected emergency. Late submission will result in deduction of 25% of each day missed.

There are written assignments for which you are required to create an account in Moodle. The assignemnts will be distributed on Moodle and you are required either submit in class or online. Please read the instruction carefully. Late submission will result in deduction of 25% of each day missed.

Quizzes, Kanji Quizzes, and Vocabulary Quizzes: Grammar quizzes are given weekly as noted on the schedule, for a total pf 7 quizzes. Each quiz will be 10-20 minutes long and will cover grammar, reading, writing, and listening introduced in the previous week.  In addition, 8 Kanji quizzes will be given in quiz section. Both quizzes and Kanji quizzes cover the materials covered prior to the quiz and the contents MAY be accumulative. All but one lowest quiz score for each category will be counted toward your grade. Furthermore, 2 vocabulary quiizzes are given per chapter. Vocabulary quizzes are scheduled during the quiz section and the list of vocabulary students are responsible will be announced in quiz section. All the quizzes (expect for vocabulary quizzes) are given in Lecture. Please see our make-up policy.
Mid-term Exam: There will be one mid-term exam covering Chapters 13 and 14 on 11/1 (Tu). Details will be announced in lecture. Please also refer to the make-up policy of the course.
Final Exam: Final-exam for the course will be given on Saturday 12/10 (Sat) at 8:30am.  Location will be announced later.  (This is different date from what is scheduled in the final exam schedule.  Please make sure that your personal schedule is adjusted as no make-up final will be administered before or after this date.)  If you have another final overlapping Japan 211 final exam, or if you have religious obligation, you may ask for a make-up.  Please inform the main instructor by the end of 2nd week. No make-up is granted after that date. Final exam will be a comprehensive exam, covering materials introduced from the beginning of 1st year Japanese up to the end of Japan 211.
Oral Assignments and Interview:  Througout the quarter, students are required to make oral recordings (up to 2 min.) on given topics in Japanese and submit them in the Moodle. See the schedule page for the topics and due date. Comments on the recording may be provided online and students' performance will be checked randamly. At the end of the quarter (see the schedule page for more details), each student will be interviewed in Japanese to evaluate the development of spoken skills. During the interview, each student will be asked to make a one-minute speech on one of the topics assigned as oral recording assignments.
Make-up Policies: There are no make-ups for quizzes, orals, or the final exam.  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.  For character quizzes, you will be allowed to take a make-up quiz within 2 days (before or after) of the scheduled date ONLY IF THERE IS A REASONABLE AND AGREEABLE CIRCUMSTANCES).  The only exception can be pre-arranged if students will participate in official university business (this includes a final exam conflict).  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.Course Schedule is provided in the following page.  Please note, however, that this is a tentative schedule and may be subject to change.  So, please pay attention on any announcement made during the lecture, section, or via e-mail or web page.
Study Abroad: Study Abroad poortounities in Japan are available for students who have beyond 1st year level of proficiency with a very good standing (3.0 GPA or higher) through the office of IPE. Some programs are designed for language study only and some are for both language and cultural studies. There will be informational meetings throughout the academic year, sponsored by the Japanese language program or the department of Asian Languages and Literature. Announcements will be made through the course webpage and e-mail.

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.

J-Info Announcement List
You are welcome to subscribe to the “J-info” list, where announcements are posted for students who are studying Japanese.  Typical postings include Japan-related lectures, job announcements, study abroad information, Japan-related events, etc.  Students cannot send postings themselves, but may send information to an instructor for posting.

To subscribe to J-info:

  1. Compose a message to listproc@u.washington.edu
  2. The text of the message should say: subscribe j-info<student’s own name>

The portion of the above command in brackets should be replaced with your own name.
The brackets should not be included in the command.

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. Michael Shapiro, the chair of the department of Asian Languages and Literature in Gowen 225.  You may also contact the Graduate School at 200 Gerberding Hall, by phone at (206) 543-5900 or by e-mail at elf@u.washington.edu."