Japanese (JAPN)

JAPN 101 | FIRST SEMESTER JAPANESE

Units: 3-4

Prerequisites: Passing the appropriate departmental placement test within the previous year

An introduction to the four basic language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing (includes Katakana and Hiragana), with emphasis on oral skills. Supplemental practice with audio-visual materials.

JAPN 102 | SECOND SEMESTER JAPANESE

Units: 3

Prerequisites: JAPN 101 or Passing the appropriate departmental placement test within the previous year

Continuation of JAPN 101. Continued development of basic language skills. Increased practice in reading and writing (Katakana, Hiragana), and introduction of 130 Chinese characters used in context. Relationship between language and culture. Supplemental practice with audio-visual materials.

JAPN 140 | TOPICS IN JAPANESE LITERATURE AND CULTURE

Units: 3 Repeatability: Yes (Repeatable if topic differs)

Study at the lower-division level of a topic in Japanese literature and culture. This course is taught in English and will not satisfy the Language Core requirement.

JAPN 141 | TOPICS IN JAPANESE LITERATURE, FILM, CULTURE-DOMESTIC FOCUS

Units: 3 Repeatability: Yes (Repeatable if topic differs)

Study at the lower-division level of a topic in Japanese literature, film and/or culture with a Domestic Focus. This course is taught in English and will not satisfy the Language Core requirement.

JAPN 142 | TOPICS IN JAPANESE LITERATURE, FILM OR CULTURE–GLOBAL FOCUS

Units: 3 Repeatability: Yes (Repeatable if topic differs)

Study at the lower-division level of a topic in Japanese literature, film and/or culture with a Global Focus. This course is taught in English and will not satisfy the Language Core requirement.

JAPN 150 | JAPANESE CULTURE AND CONVERSATION

Units: 3

Prerequisites: JAPN 102

A course designed for students who wish to enhance their command of spoken Japanese, including expanding vocabulary, idiomatic expressions, and the use of previously acquired grammatical structures. This course is also designed to enable the student to become acquainted with the history, geography, politics, traditional arts, and literature of Japan, in addition to daily customs of Japanese society. This course will be taught in Japan during the summer or winter. The university reserves the right to cancel this course if minimum enrollment is not met, or for any other reason. Students who have earned credit in JAPN 201 and/or 202 are also invited to enroll.

JAPN 152 | JAPANESE CULTURE AND CONVERSATION

Units: 3

JAPN 194 | SPECIAL TOPICS IN JAPANESE

Units: 1-3 Repeatability: Yes (Repeatable if topic differs)

Study at the lower-division level of a topic in Japanese literature and culture. This course is taught in English and will not satisfy the Language Core requirement.

JAPN 201 | THIRD SEMESTER JAPANESE

Units: 3-4

Core Attributes: Second language competency

Prerequisites: JAPN 102 or Passing the appropriate departmental placement test within the previous year

Further development of language competence. Practice in oral and written Japanese at the intermediate level, with emphasis on reading and basic composition. Supplemental practice with audio-visual materials.

JAPN 202 | FOURTH SEMESTER JAPANESE

Units: 3-4

Prerequisites: JAPN 201 or Passing the appropriate departmental placement test within the previous year

Continued practice in oral and written Japanese. Various styles will be introduced to develop greater accuracy and fluency. Use of authentic modern Japanese materials for better appreciation of the culture. Supplemental practice with audio-visual materials.

JAPN 294 | SPECIAL TOPICS IN JAPANESE

Units: 1-3 Repeatability: Yes (Repeatable if topic differs)

Prerequisites: JAPN 202

Study at the lower-division level of a special topic in language, literature, or culture. This course may be repeated for credit when the topic changes. When offered, selected subjects will be announced on the MySanDiego portal. If taught in English, this course will not fulfill the Core Curriculum language requirement. Consult with instructor or the department chair.

JAPN 299 | INDEPENDENT STUDY

Units: 3 Repeatability: Yes (Can be repeated for Credit)

Independent Study at the lower-division level.

JAPN 301 | CONVERSATION AND COMPOSITION

Units: 3 Repeatability: No

Prerequisites: Passing the appropriate departmental placement test within the previous year or JAPN 202

This course strengthens students’ language foundation in all aspects of modern Japanese, including speaking, listening, reading, and writing. The course is project based and students will apply what they learned from the teaching materials, including vocabulary, grammar, and cultural knowledge, to different verbal or written assignments that lead to the completion of projects. Authentic materials will be introduced during the course as auxiliary materials to help students analyze issues.

JAPN 302 | CONTEMPORARY JAPAN: CULTURE, POLITICS AND SOCIETY

Units: 3 Repeatability: No

Prerequisites: Passing the appropriate departmental placement test within the previous year or JAPN 202

This course introduces students to multiple aspects of Japanese culture and society that are considered timely and will have a lasting social impact. Students will gain intermediate to advanced listening, speaking, reading and writing skills in standard Japanese.

JAPN 394 | SPECIAL TOPICS IN JAPANESE

Units: 1-3 Repeatability: Yes (Repeatable if topic differs)

Prerequisites: JAPN 202

Study at the third-year level of a special topic in language, literature or culture. When offered, selected subjects will be announced on the MySanDiego portal. If taught in English, this course will not fulfill the Core Curriculum language requirement. Consult with instructor or the department chair.

JAPN 493 | FIELD EXPERIENCE

Units: 1-3 Repeatability: Yes (Can be repeated for Credit)

Non-Core Attributes: Experiential

Placement in a community agency where advanced Japanese language skills will be utilized.

JAPN 494 | SPECIAL TOPICS IN JAPANESE

Units: 1-3 Repeatability: Yes (Repeatable if topic differs)

Study at the fourth-year level of a special topic in Japanese language, literature, or culture. When offered, selected subjects will be announced on the MySanDiego portal. Consult with instructor or the department chair. If taught in English, this course will not fulfill the Core Curriculum language requirement. Consult with instructor or the department chair.

JAPN 499 | INDEPENDENT STUDY

Units: 1-3 Repeatability: Yes (Repeatable if topic differs)

A program arranged between the advanced student and the instructor to provide intensive study in a particular area of interest. Extensive reading and consultation are required, as well as preparation of reports to be assigned by the instructor. A maximum of three units may be applied toward the Asian Studies minor.