Course Description

Japanese 1411, Beginning Japanese I, is the first semester of an introductory Japanese course. In this course, vocabulary, language patterns and grammar are introduced and applied in the context of practical communication in order to facilitate you to speak and understand semi-formal Japanese in business and other social settings. The course transfers to universities as foreign language credit. Japanese 1411 is a core curriculum course.

Prerequisites

No prerequisites

Course Goals (includes core competencies, incorporation of SCANS, etc.)

You will be able to express topics about your personal life, interest, your desire and likes/dislikes and to describe things around you in the semi-formal form of Japanese. You will understand differences in speech levels reflecting different formalities (and/or a speaker?s social status).

You will be able to read and write simple Japanese sentences in Hiragana, Katakana and 75 Kanji characters.
   
The following descriptions reflect what most students will be able to do by the end of the course. The terms given in parenthesis are descriptive terms of proficiency in foreign language, based on a classification developed by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages. (ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines)

Listening Comprehension (Novice-Mid) -> (Novice-High)
Able to understand some short, learned utterances, some sentence-length utterance, particularly where context strongly supports understanding and speech is clearly audible. Comprehends some words and phrases from simple questions, statements, high frequency commands and courtesy formulae. May require repetitions, rephrasing and/or a slowed rate of speech for comprehension.

Speaking (Novice-Mid) -> (Novice-High)
Able to satisfy partially the requirement of basic communicative exchanges by relying heavily on learned utterances but occasionally expanding these through simple recombination of their elements. Can ask questions or make statements involving learned material with some spontaneity. Speech consists of leaned utterances rather than of personalized, situational adapted ones.
 
Reading (Novice-High)
Able to understand main ideas and/or some facts from the simplest connected texts dealing with basic personal and social needs. Such texts are linguistically non-complex and have a clear underlying internal structure, for example chronological sequencing. They impart basic information about which the reader has to make only minimal suppositions or to which the reader brings personal interest and/or knowledge.

Writing (Novice-High)
Able to meet limited practical writing needs. Can write short messages, postcards, and take down simple notes, such as telephone messages. Can create statements or questions within the scope of limited language experience. Material produced consists of recombination of learned vocabulary and structures into simple sentences on very familiar topics.

CULTURAL AWARENESS
Acquire general knowledge about the Japanese language and culture, to include knowledge about:
a. Japanese language structure and pronunciation.
b. Different levels of formalities
c. Unique customs, attitudes and assumptions of Japanese people detected in practical communication.

Japanese 1411 fulfills the six basic intellectual competencies of the Core Curriculum.

READING: Reading material at the college level means having the ability of analyze and interpret a variety of printed materials, books, articles, and documents.

WRITING: Writing at the college level means having the ability to produce clear correct, and coherent prose adapted to purpose, occasion, and audience. In addition to knowing correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation, students should also become familiar with the writing process, including how to discover a topic, how to develop and organize it, and how to phrase it effectively for their audience. These abilities are acquired through practice and reflection.

SPEAKING: Effective speaking is the ability to communicate orally in clear, coherent, and persuasive language appropriate to purpose, occasion, and audience.

LISTENING: Listening at the college level means the ability to analyze and interpret various forms of spoken communication.

CRITICAL THINKING: Critical thinking embraces methods for applying both qualitative and quantitative skills analytically and creatively to subject matter in order to evaluate arguments and to construct alternatives strategies. Problem solving is one of the applications of critical thinking used to address an identified task.

COMPUTER LITERACY: Computer literacy at the college level means having the ability to use computer based technology in communicating, solving problems, and acquiring information. Core-educated students should have an understanding of the limits, problems, and possibilities associated with the use of the technology and should have the tools necessary to evaluate and learn new technologies ad they become available. (Houston Community College System 2000-2001 Catalog, 35)

Instructor Information

Textbook Information

Textbook:?Yookoso!? An Invitation to Contemporary Japanese, 2nd Edition, McGraw-Hill
Workbook: Workbook/Laboratory Manual to accompany ?Yookoso!?

Lab Requirements (if any)

Bi-weekly language Lab

Students with Disabilities

Students who require reasonable accommodations for disabilities are encouraged to report to the disability counselor to make necessary arrangements. Faculty are only authorized to provide accommodations requested by the Disability Support Services Office.

Academic Honesty

Students are expected to do their own work, unless an assignment is made specifically as a group assignment. Plagiarism(handing in another person's work as your own), or cheating will result in a grade of F for the assignment, quiz, or test in question. For a second offense, the student may receive a grade of F for the course.

Attendance and Withdrawal Policies

Attendance is essential and daily records will be kept. In accordance with HCCS official policy, a student may be dropped for excessive absences after missing more than two weeks of class (10 hours).  Consult with the instructor in case of serious illness or business reasons for absence. Students will lose points on participation grade for every class missed over two weeks. Absences will be counted from the first class day of the semester, no matter when the student registers or first attends.

Grading Policy

It is necessary to pass the final exam to pass the course.

Course Requirements for example: Testing, Projects, Assignments, Portfolios, Service Learning, Internships, etc.

Final examination
3 tests
Quizzes (oral & written)  
Homework

Make-up policy

1. Students are responsible for material covered during their absence. It is the responsibility of the student to consult with the instructor about work missed and make-up assignments.
   
2. Homework: Must be turned in by due date for credit. Consult instructor in case of illness.
   
3. Quizzes: No makeups unless you do so prior to the next class meeting following the quiz. Missing one quiz will not count against you. Missing several will count.
   
4. Major exams: If you are ill, it is your responsibility to notify the instructor in advance, if possible, and to ask about a make-up.

Course Content

46 syllables in both Hiragana and Katakana. Kanji characters (75). Kanji characters in Japanese sentences. Japanese customs and cultural differences and similarities.

Course Calendar with Due Dates for Assignments and Testing

Other Student Information (clubs, tutoring, web resources, student services, etc.)