Instruction offered by members of the Department of Germanic, Slavic and East Asian Studies in the Faculty of Arts. Students are encouraged to consult the Department website () for more details on course descriptions.
Department Head – F. Strzelczyk
Note:Japanese 317 is given in English and no knowledge of Japanese is required.
Note: All university level prerequisites for Japanese language courses must be met with a grade of "C-" or better.
Junior Courses
Japanese 205
Beginners' Japanese I
Basic concepts of modern Japanese. Reading and writing of characters, essentials of grammar, basic vocabulary, and oral drills on normal speech patterns. Course Hours:H(4-1) Notes: Not open to students with Japanese 30.
Further acquisition of Japanese characters, and the development of conversational skills through reading and discussion of selected Japanese texts. Structural analysis of normal speech patterns. Preparation of written assignments. A continuation of Japanese 207. Course Hours:H(3-1) Prerequisite(s):Japanese 207 or consent of the Department.
Introduction to contemporary Japanese culture through research projects and life experience. This course is given during Spring/Summer Terms in Japan. Course Hours:H(3-2) Prerequisite(s):Japanese 207 or equivalent and consent of the Department.
Stresses oral skills and cultural understanding in an immersion setting. While the focus will be on speaking and aural comprehension, reading and writing will also be introduced. This course is given during Spring/Summer Terms in Japan. Course Hours:H(3-1) Prerequisite(s):Japanese 207 or consent of the Department. Corequisite(s):Japanese 309.
Distinctive features of Japanese civilization within the Asian context.
317.01. Japanese Civilization
317.02. Japanese Cultural History Through Film
Course Hours:H(3-0) Notes: This course is given in English; no knowledge of Japanese is required. This course may be repeated for credit where the course content is different, as indicated by a different decimal number for the course. May be repeated for a maximum credit of 1.0 full-course equivalent.
An intermediate course giving emphasis to both writing and oral skills. Some of the more difficult aspects of modern Japanese grammar will be studied. Course Hours:H(3-0) Prerequisite(s):Japanese 303 or consent of the Department.
Intensive development of aural and oral skills in Japanese through discussion of selected topics using a variety of authentic media. The focus will be on developing conversational abilities and vocabulary. Course Hours:H(3-0) Prerequisite(s):Japanese 331 or consent of the Department.
Language practice and cultural analysis through the study of contemporary Japanese texts. Authentic material will be selected from documents and textbooks. Students will be able to improve their reading skills while enhancing their knowledge of Japanese culture. Course Hours:H(3-0) Prerequisite(s):Japanese 331 or consent of the Department.
Discussion of cultural relations and influences between Japan and China. Topics may include cultural identities and cross-influences, literary and artistic traditions, writing systems, and will be listed in the Schedule of Classes. Course Hours:H(3-0) Prerequisite(s):Japanese 303 or higher (excluding Japanese 317), or consent of the Department. Notes:Knowledge of the other language would be beneficial. Also known as:(Chinese 461)