J100A: Advanced Japanese A (5 Units)

The goal of this course is to further develop four skills (reading, writing, listening, and reading) and cultural awareness. Course materials include the textbook on specific social topics, which are supplemented by newspapers, magazine articles, essays, poetry, prose fiction and audiovisual materials such as films and newsclips providing further insight into Japanese language, culture, and society. Through exposure to a wide range of materials and interactive exercises, including discussions, in-class activities, and group/individual projects, students will acquire linguistic skills and sociocultural knowledge and develop critical thinking and intercultural competence. Prerequisites: J10B, or consent of Chika Shibahara.

Can-Do Statements:

• To be able to develop context-specific skills in speaking, listening, reading, and writing.
• To be able to use language appropriately in a social context.
• To be able to express opinions and feelings on unfamiliar abstract topics.
• To be able to discuss not only concrete but also abstract matters.
• To be able to become accustomed to spoken Japanese.
• To be able to skim and grasp the general idea of complicated written Japanese.
• To be able to develop insight into Japanese culture and society and cultivate critical linguistic and cultural awareness.
• To be able to develop critical thinking and intercultural competence through reading and discussions.
• To be able to cultivate the ability to study Japanese independently.

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