Japanese (JAPN)

Japanese Undergraduate Courses

JAPN 1020  WHY LANGUAGES MATTER: REPRESENTATIONS OF LINGUISTIC DIVERSITY IN THE US MEDIA (3 credits)

Delivered in English, this course introduces students to diversity in the US using language in context as points of departure. In this course, we analyze the intersection between language and ideological constructions (e.g., the objectification of Latino women, discrimination and stereotypes toward Asian peoples) and examine nodes of social meaning through visual and audio representations of language, as consumed in music, tv series, art (e.g., street art, installations) and social media. Departing from a US-centric and an assimilative approach, the course provides a historical and geographic lens through which these languages exist in the United States. (Cross-listed with WLL 1000, FREN 1010, GERM 1010, SPAN 1010).

Distribution: Humanities and Fine Arts General Education course and U.S. Diversity General Education course

JAPN 1110  ELEMENTARY JAPANESE I (5 credits)

Grammar review and oral practice, and introduction of hiragana, katakana and some kanji.

Distribution: Humanities and Fine Arts General Education course and Global Diversity General Education course

JAPN 1120  ELEMENTARY JAPANESE II (5 credits)

Grammar review and oral practice, and introduction of kanji.

Prerequisite(s): JAPN 1110 with at least a C-

JAPN 2110  INTERMEDIATE JAPANESE (3 credits)

Grammar review and continued oral practice, and introduction of more kanji.

Prerequisite(s): JAPN 1120 with at least a C-

JAPN 2120  INTERMEDIATE JAPANESE II (3 credits)

Grammar review and continued oral practice, and introduction of more kanji.

Prerequisite(s): JAPN 2110 with at least a C-

JAPN 3020  UNDERSTANDING JAPANESE CULTURE: PRESENT DAY (3 credits)

This course offers an exploration of Japanese culture from multiple angles, including societal, artistic, and linguistic perspectives. Through an interdisciplinary approach, students will delve into current trends, cultural phenomena, and the evolving dynamics shaping modern-day Japan.