JAPN - Japanese

JAPN101 Elementary Japanese I (6 Credits)

Introduction to basic patterns of contemporary spoken Japanese and to the two phonetic syllabaries (Katakana and Hiragana).

Prerequisite: Must have appropriate World Language Placement Test (WLPT) score.

JAPN102 Elementary Japanese II (6 Credits)

Continued introduction to the basic spoken patterns of contemporary Japanese.

Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C- in JAPN101; or appropriate World Language Placement Test (WLPT) score.

JAPN201 Intermediate Japanese I (6 Credits)

Contemporary spoken and written Japanese.

Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C- in JAPN102; or or appropriate World Language Placement Test (WLPT) score.

JAPN202 Intermediate Japanese II (6 Credits)

Contemporary spoken and written Japanese.

Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C- in JAPN201; or appropriate World Language Placement Test (WLPT) score.

JAPN221 Radical Transformations in Japanese Culture (3 Credits)

Since the early modern period, Japanese cultural forms have reflected the innate instability of contemporary social structures. Focusing on Noh drama, Matsuo Basho's haiku travelogue Oku no hosomichi, popular fiction by Ihara Saikaku, the movement for vernacular literature in the late 19th century, the rise and fall of Marxists and feminists in early 20th century Japan, a variety of perspectives on WWII and its legacy, as well as Japanese pop culture, we will consider the way cultural works developed as part of Japan's radical transformations in the last four centuries. A major film component increases students' direct exposure to the work of Japan's cultural producers, and students' suggestions and interests will help shape the final unit of the course about Japan today. Taught in English, and all readings are in English translation.

JAPN269 Special Topics in Study Abroad II (1-6 Credits)

Special topics course taken as part of an approved study abroad program.

Repeatable to: 15 credits if content differs.

JAPN298 Special Topics Japanese Literature (3 Credits)

Special topics in Japanese literature.

Repeatable to: 9 credits if content differs.

JAPN301 Advanced Japanese I (6 Credits)

Advanced conversation, oral comprehension, and selected readings.

Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C- in JAPN202; or permission of instructor.

JAPN302 Advanced Japanese II (6 Credits)

Continued readings in varied modern texts and advanced conversation and oral comprehension.

Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C- in JAPN301; or permission of instructor.

JAPN311 Traditional Japanese Language and Culture (3 Credits)

Introduction to classical Japanese language (kobun) through representative texts and genres from the literary traditions of the Heian period (794-1185) to the Early Modern period (1600-1868). Taught in Japanese and English.

Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C- in JAPN202; or permission of instructor.

JAPN316 Women and Japanese Literature: Japanese Literature in Translation (3 Credits)

Close critical reading of a range of Japanese literary texts that deal in some significant manner with gender, sex and sexuality. Taught in English.

JAPN325 Modern Japanese Literature and Film (In Translation) (3 Credits)

Explores and questions the significance of some of modern Japan's most dynamic historical transformations, pressing social issues, and modes of cultural expression. Covers the Meiji period (1868-1912) to the 21st century.

JAPN345 Mapping Premodern Japan (3 Credits)

Mapping Premodern Japan investigates travel in Japan through concentrated study of a key route in the premodern period. We will explore the role travel played in larger social, political, economic, and cultural structures and how stories of travel shaped ideas of identity, place, and national culture. We will analyze scholarship, conduct research, and learn the process for developing authentic scholarship in Cultural Studies. The course will culminate in a digital humanities final project in which students will conduct research on the major site of study and present their findings using digital storytelling. Taught in English.

Credit Only Granted for: JAPN498M, JAPN498T, or JAPN345.

Formerly: JAPN498T and JAPN498M.

JAPN369 Special Topics in Study Abroad (1-6 Credits)

Special topics course taken as part of an approved study abroad program.

Repeatable to: 15 credits if content differs.

JAPN386 Experiential Learning (3-6 Credits)

Prerequisite: Must have a Learning Proposal approved by the Office of Experiential Learning Programs, faculty sponsor, and student's internship sponsor.

Restriction: Junior standing or higher.

JAPN388 Language House Spring Colloquium (1 Credit)

For students residing in the Language House Immersion Program. Focuses on the development of skills in the target language and acquiring the cultural knowledge of the countries that speak the target language.

Restriction: Must be a resident of Language House.

Repeatable to: 8 credits.

JAPN401 Readings in Modern Japanese Literature (3 Credits)

Development of advanced reading, vocabulary, grammar, and translation skills through selected readings in Japanese drawn primarily from modern literature.

Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C- in JAPN302; or permission of instructor.

JAPN402 Readings in Japanese Cultural Studies (3 Credits)

Development of advanced reading, vocabulary, grammar, and translation skills through selected readings in Japanese drawn from the fields of history, social sciences, cultural studies, film studies, and popular culture.

Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C- in JAPN302; or permission of instructor.

JAPN407 The Art of Translation (3 Credits)

Theory and practice of translation. Variety of genres. Japanese to English.

Prerequisite: 1 course with a minimum grade of C- from (JAPN401, JAPN402); or students who have taken courses with comparable content may contact the department.

JAPN408 Special Topics in Japanese (3 Credits)

Topic in the Study of Japanese, to be announced each time course is offered. Taught in Japanese.

Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C- in JAPN302; or permission of instructor.

JAPN412 Classical Japanese (3 Credits)

Continuation of JAPN 411 with more advanced classical Japanese.

Prerequisite: JAPN411.

JAPN418 Japanese Literature in Translation (3 Credits)

Representative works of Japanese literature in translation.

Repeatable to: 9 credits if content differs.

JAPN421 History of the Japanese Language (3 Credits)

Investigation of the origin of the Japanese language, its relationship with other languages, and its development. Taught in English, but presumes knowledge of Kanji (Chinese characters).

Prerequisite: JAPN102; or permission of ARHU-School of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures department.

JAPN424 Japan From the Margins (3 Credits)

Japan from the Margins takes as its focus the history and representations of various others in Japanese society. They include ethnic Ainu, Okinawans, and Koreans, a historical outcaste group called the Burakumin, and people marginalized for their non-normative gender and sexual practices. Students learn about the historical specificities of each group as well as their common experiences of institutional discrimination as they grapple with larger questions regarding prejudice, nationalism, and social justice. Taught in English.

JAPN425 The Atomic Bomb in Literature and Memory (3 Credits)

Study of declassified documents and commentary on the United States decision to use the bomb in 1945, the many ways Japanese writers have attempted to express their indescribable experiences in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and the shaping of historical narratives and national identities in post-war Japan and the U.S. Taught in English.

JAPN428 Seminar in Japanese Discourse and Conversation Analysis (3 Credits)

Presentation and discussion of classic and current readings in English and Japanese on theories and actual practice of discourse and conversation analysis. Students will learn transcription techniques and have an opportunity to apply them in a final term paper.

Prerequisite: JAPN302.

Recommended: JAPN422.

Repeatable to: 6 credits if content differs.

JAPN438 Topics in Japanese Pragmatics (3 Credits)

Basic concepts in the field of pragmatics (the study of language in context) such as deixis and indexicality, speech acts, ellipsis, and politeness. Readings in English on English and Japanese examples.

Prerequisite: JAPN201.

Recommended: JAPN422.

Repeatable to: 9 credits if content differs. Jointly offered with JAPN638.

JAPN445 Performance and Sexuality in Early Modern Japan (3 Credits)

Explores the intersections between performance and sexuality in early modern Japan. Our main sites will be the stage, the brothels, and everyday life as we examine how people of the period performed gender and sexuality. We will draw from popular fiction, kabuki, puppet theatre, woodblock prints, guides to the pleasure quarters, and censorship edicts. Taught in English.

Credit Only Granted for: JAPN498J or JAPN445.

Formerly: JAPN498J.

JAPN447 Technologies of Japanese Performance (3 Credits)

Explores technologies of performance in Japan across the centuries. We will focus on concepts of likeness and liveness as they manifest in performance's mythical origins, the traditions of noh drama, the popular, commercial theatres of kabuki, bunraku, and Takarazuka, and contemporary experiments with robotics, Vocaloids, and other new technologies. Taught in English.

Credit Only Granted for: JAPN498P or JAPN447.

Formerly: JAPN498P.

JAPN498 Special Topics in Japanese Studies (3 Credits)

Special topics in Japanese studies. Taught in English.

JAPN499 Directed Study in Japanese (1-3 Credits)

Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.

Repeatable to: 6 credits if content differs.