J1A: Elementary Japanese A (5 Units)

Japanese 1A is designed to develop basic speaking skills and to learn hiragana, katakana, and approximately 150 kanji. At the end of the course, the students should be able to describe themselves, their family and friends, and to talk about everyday events with basic vocabulary and grammatical constructions. They also should be able to read simple passages in Japanese. Prerequisites: None.

The textbook we use is Elementary Japanese.

J1B: Elementary Japanese B (5 Units)

Open to students with a passing grade in Japanese 1A at UCB. New and transfer students who have taken 3 or 4 years of high school Japanese or a second-semester college Japanese course elsewhere should contact Yuriko Miyamoto Caltabiano before the first meeting of the course.

During J1B, we study Volume II (Lessons 15-26) of Elementary Japanese.

J10A: Intermediate Japanese A (5 Units)

In this course, students will learn how to integrate the basic grammatical constructions and vocabulary which they have learned in Japanese 1A/B in order to express a wider range of ideas and will study new grammatical constructions and vocabulary necessary to express such ideas in a manner appropriate for many social situations. Students are expected to participate fully in class activities and discussions. Although the main emphasis will be aural/oral skills, an increasing amount of reading and writing will also be required. Prerequisites: Japanese 1B or equivalent; or consent of instructor. Students who have not taken Japanese 1B at UCB may wish to contact Kyoko Takahara-Ahn to have their language proficiency assessed.

During J10A, we study the first half of Tobira: Gateway to Advanced Japanese Learning Through Content and Multimedia (Mayumi Oka, et al. Kurosio Publishers, 2009).

J10B: Intermediate Japanese B (5 Units)

Open to students with a passing grade in Japanese 10A at UCB. New and transfer students who have taken 4 years of high school Japanese or a 3rd-semester college Japanese course elsewhere should contact the instructor before the first meeting of the course.

During J10B, we study the second half of Tobira: Gateway to Advanced Japanese Learning Through Content and Multimedia (Mayumi Oka, et al. Kurosio Publishers, 2009).

J100A: Advanced Japanese A (5 Units)

This course aims to develop further communicative skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing in a manner appropriate to the context. It concentrates on enabling students to use acquired grammar and vocabulary with more confidence in order to express functional meanings, while increasing linguistic competence. Course materials include the textbook, supplemented by newspaper and magazine articles and short stories to provide insight into Japanese culture and society. Active student participation is not only encouraged but required. Prerequisites: Japanese 10B or equivalent; or consent of Chika Shibahara.

During J100A, we study Lessons 1-5 of New Authentic Japanese: Progressing from Intermediate to Advanced (Osamu Kamata et al., The Japan Times, 2013).

J100B: Advanced Japanese B (5 Units)

Open to students with a passing grade in Japanese 100A at UCB. New and transfer students who have taken a 5th-semester college Japanese course elsewhere should contact Chika Shibahara before the first meeting of the course.

During J100B, we study the second half of New Authentic Japanese: Progressing from Intermediate to Advanced (Osamu Kamata et al., The Japan Times, 2013).

J100S: Japanese for Sinologists

Students will be trained to read, analyze, and translate modern Japanese scholarship on Chinese subjects. A major purpose of the course is to prepare graduate students to take reading examinations in Japanese. The areas of scholarship to be covered are: politics, popular culture and religion, sociology and history, as well as areas suggested by students who are actively engaged in research projects. Two readings in each area will be assigned: one by the instructor and the second by a student participant. Prerequisites: Graduate standing; Japanese 10B and Chinese 100B; or consent of instructor.

J101: Fourth-Year Readings: Aspects of Japanese Society (4 Units)

Students develop their reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills further to think critically, to express their points of view, and to understand Japanese culture and society in depth The readings are mainly articles on current social issues from Japanese newspapers, magazines, and professional books as sources of discussions. Students are required to write short essays on topics related to the reading materials. Prerequisites: J100B, J100X, or equivalent; or consent of instructor. Please contact Hayato Saito before the first meeting of the course.

J102: Fourth-Year Readings: Japanese Culture (4 Units)

This course is designed for students who have studied Japanese at college level for at least three years (450 hours). Students read a variety of texts in Japanese as sources for discussions that deepen their understanding of Japanese society and people. Additionally, they will research related topics, followed by a short presentation in class. Through these activities, students develop further their knowledge of kanji, vocabulary, and Japanese grammar. They will improve their ability to read and write logically, coherently, and effectively in Japanese so that they can express their points of view and construct argumentative discourse. Prerequisites: J100B, J100X, or equivalent; or consent of instructor.

J103: Fourth-Year Readings: Japanese Literature (4 Units)

This course is designed for students who have studied Japanese at college level for at least three years (450 hours). It aims to improve their reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills by increasing their vocabulary and by their learning more effective ways to express their ideas. Readings include Japanese novels, poems, short stories, plays, articles and essays, providing opportunity to learn various writing styles. Students participate in group discussions on contemporary issues related to assigned readings, write short essays, and deliver individual oral presentations. A significant amount of course time is devoted to critical reading of Japanese literature. Prerequisites: J100B, J100X, or equivalent. This course will not be offered this academic year.

J104: Fourth-Year Readings: Japanese History (4 Units)

This course is designed for students who have studied Japanese at college level for at least three years (450 hours). It aims to improve their reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills and to deepen their understanding of Japanese society and culture by learning Japanese historical facts that constitute common knowledge of Japanese people. The readings include articles, essays, short stories, etc. Students participate in group discussions on issues related to assigned readings, write short essays, and deliver individual oral presentations. Prerequisites: J100B, J100X, or equivalent; or consent of instructor. This course will not be offered this academic year.

J105: Fourth-Year Readings: Current Issues in Japan (4 Units)

In this course, students will practice various techniques to read articles in Japanese on current issues in Japan, and they will learn about Japanese conceptions of the world and how Japanese society functions. They may want to compare what they have learned with similar issues in their own countries to deepen their understanding of the issues and develop their critical thinking ability. They will also learn more advanced Japanese grammar and increase their vocabulary. Prerequisites: J100B, J100X, or equivalent; or consent of instructor. This course will not be offered this academic year.