JPA-Japanese Courses

JPA 101. Introductory Japanese I. 3 Hours.

This course introduces students to the language by focusing on the acquisition of essential elements for basic communication and development of the practical language skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) for communicating in daily life situations, as well as provides a broader awareness of and appreciation for the cultures of the countries where Japanese is spoken. This course meets Blazer Core Communicating in the Modern World with Flags in Global Multicultural Perspectives & Civic Engagement.

JPA 101L. Introductory Japanese I Lab. 1 Hour.

Lab for Introductory Japanese I. This course meets Blazer Core Communicating in the Modern World with Flags in Global Multicultural Perspectives & Civic Engagement.

JPA 102. Introductory Japanese II. 3 Hours.

This course continues to develop the language-learning process by focusing on the acquisition of essential elements for basic communication and development of the practical language skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) for communicating in daily life situations, as well as provides a broader awareness of and appreciation for the cultures of the countries where Japanese is spoken. This course meets Blazer Core Communicating in the Modern World with Flags in Global Multicultural Perspectives & Civic Engagement.
Prerequisites: JPA 101 [Min Grade: D]

JPA 102L. Introductory Japanese Lab II. 1 Hour.

Lab for Introductory Japanese II.

JPA 190. Study Abroad. 1-8 Hour.

Approved novice level study abroad program in Japan. Permission of Department Chair required.

JPA 201. Intermediate Japanese I. 3 Hours.

This course is designed to help students make the transition to natural communication and develop the language-learning process by focusing on the expansion of necessary elements for development of the practical language skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) by using cultural and literary readings as well as grammatical exercises. It also provides a broader awareness of and appreciation for the cultures of the countries where Japanese is spoken. This course meets Blazer Core Curriculum Communicating in the Modern World with flags in Wellness/Wellbeing and Global Multicultural Perspectives.
Prerequisites: JPA 102 [Min Grade: D]

JPA 202. Intermediate Japanese II. 3 Hours.

Continuation of JPA 201. Conducted in Japanese. (CORE AREA II).
Prerequisites: JPA 201 [Min Grade: D]

JPA 203. Intermediate Japanese Language & Culture I. 3 Hours.

This course aims at improving students' linguistic and cultural fluency necessary for functioning in Japanese. Class activities will consist of communicative exercises such as role-playing. While emphasis will be placed on oral skills, attention will also be given to the written Japanese that one encounters in daily life, particularly in signage and forms. Topics may include: Conversational Japanese in such settings as restaurant, store, public transportation, airport, post office, hospital, home-stay, hotel, and local attractions.
Prerequisites: JPA 102 [Min Grade: D]

JPA 204. Intermediate Japanese Language & Culture II. 3 Hours.

This course focuses on developing students' reading and writing skills to increase Japanese literacy. It will also expand students' vocabulary, grammatical understanding, listening and speaking. Topics may include: Examples will be taken from authentic popular literature, manga and anime, folktales, letters, e-mails and songs. Students will learn how to write basic compositions and make speeches.
Prerequisites: JPA 202 [Min Grade: C]

JPA 205. Japanese Anime and Manga. 3 Hours.

This course is a survey of Japanese popular visual culture – Anime (animation) and manga (comic books) – from their beginnings in the middle of the 20th century to the present. This course explores each as a Japanese medium and critically examines how they interact with history and society in Japan. Through analyzing manga and anime, this course gives students an opportunity to learn Japanese language in an enjoyable way. Conducted in Japanese.
Prerequisites: JPA 202 [Min Grade: C]

JPA 206. Business Japanese. 3 Hours.

Japanese course focusing on the effective communication skills essential in professional fields and the understanding of the Japanese business world. Students develop their verbal, listening, reading, and writing proficiency in business Japanese and acquire culturally appropriate inter-personal communication skills needed to deal with a variety of business situations. Students are expected to effectively employ their language skills to explore and analyze current business trends and issues in Japan. Conducted in Japanese.
Prerequisites: JPA 203 [Min Grade: C]

JPA 210. Discourse and Culture in Japanese. 3 Hours.

Study of the significance of cultural knowledge in understanding the meaning of language. The course focuses Japanese learners to understand values, expectations and appropriate behavior in Japanese culture, as well as the theoretical underpinnings of pragmatics and discourse analysis. Conducted in Japanese.
Prerequisites: JPA 202 [Min Grade: C]

JPA 211. Contemporary Issues in Japanese Society. 3 Hours.

Study of selected themes in contemporary Japanese society and culture, through reading and discussion of contemporary debates in periodicals, news sources and other media. Readings will focus on such themes as work and social pressure, gender inequality, social alienation, declining birthrates, aging and social support, media images, and education. Conducted in Japanese.
Prerequisites: JPA 202 [Min Grade: C]

JPA 290. Japanese for Study Abroad. 1-12 Hour.

This study-abroad Japanese course aims at improving students' oral fluency. It will help students develop intermediary conversational skills as they study in total immersion. The emphasis will be on efficient target language production at the intermediate level, as well as an oral and comprehension skills, communicative strategies, and the acquisition of vocabulary relating to a variety of domains. The course content will also include discussion and analysis of current cultural topics. JPA 290 will be conducted entirely in Japanese. Permission of department chair required.

JPA 299. Directed Readings in Japanese. 1-3 Hour.

This is an individualized course of directed readings and activities for intermediate Japanese students. Course design is determined by the instructor and student and will be tailored to the needs of the student. The goal of the course is to increase general literacy in and knowedge of Japanese language and culture. Intermediate proficiency in reading, writing, listening and speaking Japanese is the targeted outcome. Prerequisites: JPA 202 or equivalent.
Prerequisites: JPA 202 [Min Grade: C]

JPA 301. Advanced Japanese I. 3 Hours.

Continued development of Japanese speaking, listening, reading, and writing abilities, using materials dealing primarily with everyday life and civilization in Japan from a variety of sources. Conducted primarily in Japanese.
Prerequisites: JPA 204 [Min Grade: C]

JPA 302. Advanced Japanese II. 3 Hours.

Further work to develop speaking, listening, reading, and writing abilities in Japanese, on the basis of materials dealing with the ideas and events that have shaped present-day Japan. Conducted primarily in Japanese.
Prerequisites: JPA 301 [Min Grade: C]

JPA 303. Japanese Pragmatics I. 3 Hours.

This course integrates understanding the learning of the language and the understanding of the culture. Students will be able to learn Japanese culture and acquire language proficiency by incorporating the four skills: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Speaking and listening skills will be practiced through various classroom activities. The course will discuss five Japanese speech acts: 1) giving/responding to compliments, 2) thanking, 3) requesting, 4) refusing and 5) apologizing. Students will be required to read materials intensively and extensively, and write compositions. Conducted in Japanese.

JPA 304. Japanese Culture and Civilization. 3 Hours.

Survey of the origins and development of Japanese culture: art, literature, religion, philosophy, political and social institutions from earliest to modern times. An overview of cultural traditions for those with a general interest in Japan. Conducted in Japanese.

JPA 305. Japanese Children Stories. 3 Hours.

Readings of and discussions on selected modern Japanese Children literary texts of different genres including poetry, short stories, novels and plays. When available, relevant video materials will be shown in class. Conducted in Japanese.

JPA 306. Advanced Business Japanese. 3 Hours.

Advanced Japanese course focusing on the effective advanced communication skills essential in professional fields and the understanding of the Japanese business world. Students develop their advanced verbal, listening, reading, and writing proficiency in business Japanese and acquire culturally appropriate inter-personal communication skills needed to deal with a variety of business situations. Students are expected to effectively employ their language skills to explore and analyze current business trends and issues in Japan. Conducted in Japanese.
Prerequisites: JPA 204 [Min Grade: C]

JPA 307. Japanese Translation I. 3 Hours.

This advanced-low level course focuses on training students in skills in translating Japanese into English to prepare them for a career in which such skills are required, such as the business world or foreign relations. Cannot be taken concurrently with JPA 407. Conducted in Japanese.

JPA 308. Japanese Cinema I. 3 Hours.

This course offers a survey of Japanese cinema in 21st century and it focuses on the viewing and discussion of films. Through taking this course, students will understand Japanese culture and social behavior and their role in effective interpersonal communication. Conducted in Japanese.

JPA 309. Japanese Language and Society I. 3 Hours.

This course introduces the linguistic and social aspects of Japanese language by reading about how various psycho-linguistic nuances, social constructs, and historical meanings are expressed, reinforced, reflected, and transformed through everyday conversations, visual media discourse, textual mediums, and other forms of communication. Students read and discuss authentic texts in Japanese and learn meanings, beliefs, and histories embedded in the specific uses of Japanese language. Conducted in Japanese.

JPA 310. Advanced Reading and Writing I. 3 Hours.

This course aims to improve students’ reading and writing skills in Japanese by engaging in Tadoku, extensive reading. Students will enhance their Japanese proficiency through reading and writing materials that match their proficiency level. By the end of the course, students will be able to read Japanese passages fluently and smoothly and write their ideas in Japanese at an advanced proficiency level. Students will also increase their vocabulary through a range of reading and writing activities. Conducted in Japanese.

JPA 390. Study Abroad. 1-9 Hour.

Approved upper-level study abroad program in a Japanese-speaking country. Permission of Department Chair and Study Abroad Director.

JPA 399. Directed Readings: Japanese. 1-3 Hour.

This is an individualized course of directed readings and activities for advanced students of Japanese language and culture. Course design is determined by the instructor and student and will be tailored to the needs of the student. The goal of the course is to increase general literacy in and knowledge of the Japanese language and culture. Intermediate-high or Advanced-low proficiency in reading, writing, listening and speaking Japanese is the targeted outcome. Permission of the Department Chair required.
Prerequisites: JPA 201 [Min Grade: C]

JPA 401. Advanced Japanese III. 3 Hours.

Advanced work on the development of Japanese speaking, reading, and writing abilities, focusing on materials dealing with culture and the arts of Japan. Extensive readings in advanced general and specialized texts in contemporary Japanese, and discussion on the content of the reading materials. Online materials also used. Conducted in Japanese.

JPA 402. Advanced Japanese IV. 3 Hours.

Further advanced work on speaking, listening, reading, and writing abilities in Japanese. Course materials will cover a variety of topics illustrated in film and other media, both print and non-print. Extensive readings in advanced general and specialized texts in contemporary Japanese, and discussion on the content of the reading materials. Online materials also used. Conducted in Japanese.

JPA 403. Japanese Pragmatics II. 3 Hours.

Developing pragmatic competence is crucial for second language learners. However, previous researchers have argued that pragmatic competence is often learned late. It is crucial that students communicate in an accurate and appropriate way if they wish to become good communicators. This course is designed for students to become proficient in conveying their ideas and feelings appropriately in Japanese. Students will be able to use Japanese appropriately in various situations. Conducted in Japanese.

JPA 404. Japanese Popular Culture. 3 Hours.

The main goal is primarily intended to increase students’ knowledge of contemporary Japanese popular culture through exploration of various topics from historical and theoretical perspectives. In this course, students are expected to make the shift from gaining knowledge of broaden intellectual information, to apply the knowledge to critically analyze the target culture, develop critical insights into the nature of the culture through comparing the target culture and their own, and express their judgments about the knowledge. Conducted in Japanese.

JPA 405. Japanese Literature. 3 Hours.

Readings of and discussions on selected modern Japanese literary texts of different genres including poetry, short stories, novels and plays. When available, relevant video materials will be shown in class. Conducted in Japanese.

JPA 406. Advanced Japanese for the Professions. 3 Hours.

Advanced Japanese for the Professions focuses on the effective advanced communication skills essential in professional fields and the understanding of the Japanese business world. Students further develop their advanced verbal, listening, reading, and writing proficiency in business Japanese and acquire culturally appropriate inter-personal communication skills needed to deal with a variety of business situations. Students will effectively learn to employ their language skills to explore and analyze current business and professional trends, and cultural issues in Japan. Conducted in Japanese.

JPA 407. Japanese Translation II. 3 Hours.

This advanced course focuses on training students in skills in translating Japanese into English, and vise versa, to prepare them for a career in which such skills are required, such as the business world or foreign relations. Conducted in Japanese.

JPA 408. Japanese Cinema II. 3 Hours.

This advanced course offers a survey of Japanese cinema in 21st century and focuses on the viewing and discussion of films. Through taking this course, students will understand Japanese culture and social behavior and their role in effective interpersonal communication. Students will gain sociolinguistic awareness and competency in the appropriate use of politeness. Conducted in Japanese.

JPA 409. Japanese Language and Society II. 3 Hours.

This advanced course explores in depth the linguistic and social aspects of Japanese language by reading about and analyzing how various psycho-linguistic, socio-cultural, and historical constructs are expressed, reinforced, reflected, and transformed through the way in which Japanese language is used. Students both discuss authentic written texts in Japanese and critically examine ideologies embedded in specific uses of Japanese language. This course further provides opportunities for students to analyze Japanese language use by employing concepts learned in class. In doing so, the course encourages students to reflect objectively on their own linguistic choices and further polish their second language skills. This course cannot be taken concurrently with JPA309. Conducted in Japanese.

JPA 410. Advanced Reading and Writing II. 3 Hours.

This course aims to further develop students’ advanced reading and writing skills in Japanese by engaging in Tadoku, extensive reading. Students will enhance their Japanese proficiency through reading and writing materials that match their proficiency level. By the end of semester, students will be able to read Japanese passages fluently and smoothly and write their ideas in Japanese at an advanced proficiency level. Students will also increase their vocabulary through a range of reading and writing activities. This course cannot be taken concurrently with JPA 310. Conducted in Japanese.

JPA 490. Study Abroad: Japan. 1-9 Hour.

Approved upper-level study-abroad program in Japan. Permission of Department Chair and Study-Abroad Director.

JPA 499. Directed Readings: Japanese. 1-3 Hour.

This is an individualized course of directed readings and research for advanced students of Japanese language and culture. Course design is determined by the instructor and student and will be tailored to the needs of the student. The goal of the course is to increase general literacy in and knowledge of the Japanese language and culture. Advanced-mid or advanced-high proficiency in reading, writing, listening and speaking Japanese is the targeted outcome. Permission of the Department Chair required.
Prerequisites: JPA 301 [Min Grade: C]