JAPANESE 4 (Continuing Intermediate Japanese)

Syllabus Spring 2014

Naoko Uehara

Objectives:
This course is a continuation of Japanese 3, along with cross-cultural service learning. The main objective is to extend student’s
Japanese language skills by continuing basic grammar and topical vocabularies, and by introducing more Kanji characters and
honorific and humble forms (Keego). A grammar foundation will be learned as outlined in the text, but improving communicative
ability is the focus of the course. Grammar in this course includes noun modification, giving and receiving concepts, progressive,
potential verbs, imperatives and others. Topics include conversation at a coffee shop (building a relationship in a conversation),
inquiring about a lost article (shape, color, and size), borrowing a book, and using a taxi. At the end of this course, students will
be more comfortable to use all Japanese alphabets including Kanji to frequently write compositions, letters, journals, etc. and to
read stories.

Students will travel to San Francisco on their own schedules to learn about the history and continuing legacy of Japantown and
other Japanese heritage organizations. Students will examine historical and contemporary issues connected with the Japanese
American community, and conduct life history individual or group interviews with up to 3 interesting parties. The final project will
involve creating a multimedia presentation of these interviews. Students will use digital recordings of the interview to write
essential memories and a summarized history of the people they interview. Students will learn how to conduct interviews and how
to interpret and synthesize interview information into written reports. Due to the internment camp experience of most old Japanese
Americans, they will likely prefer to use English during the interview, and students will use whichever language interviewee
selects.

Texts:
This course follows and completes the second half of the textbook and workbook used in Japanese 3.:

Tsukuba Language Group. Situational Functional Japanese: Notes, Vol. II, Bonjinsha, 1992.
Tsukuba Language Group. Situational Functional Japanese: Drills, Vol. II, Bonjinsha, 1992.
Chieko Kano, et al. Basic Kanji Book, Vol. I, Bonjinsha, 1992

Baxter, P & Jack, S. Qualitative Case Study Methodology. The Qualitative Report. 2008.
Sommer, B.W. and Quinlin, M.K. The Oral History Manual. Altamira Press. 2009.

Students must bring their own textbooks by no later than the end of the second week.
Any problem regarding this requirement must be reported to the instructor immediately. (Not having own textbooks certainly affects
students’ learning negatively.)

Internet resources:
Course announcements and other materials are available on SMC’s Moodle.
http://lib.berkeley.edu/EAL/resources/japanese.html
http://www.facebook.com/pages/SMC-%E6%97%A5%E6%9C%AC%E8%AA%9E%EF%BC%94/119779038037155

Evaluation:
Exams: Chapter 12 and 14 exam and Mid Term and Final 65%
Small Quizzes 5%
Homework: 10%
Community engagement projects: 15%
Class Participation: 5%

Grade breakdown:
A 95-100 B+ 87-89 C+ 77-79 D+ 67-69 F 0-59
A- 90-94 B 83-86 C 73-76 D 63-66
B- 80-82 C- 70-72 D- 60-62

Quizzes/Tests:
Short quizzes will be given often for vocabulary, reading and writing of the hiragana and katakana alphabets. A chapter test will
conclude each chapter, roughly once every month. Midterm and final exams can not be made up. Announced quizzes and
tests can only be made up ahead of the regularly scheduled time.

Requirements:
Attendance: Three excused absence is the maximum number permitted. Each additional absence reduces the final
grade at least one level, no exceptions.
 Students must attend every class meeting and actively participate in the class activities. This attendance policy applies to everyone
– there are no exceptions for travel related to student activities, other obligations, or emergencies. The reason for any absences
will not be judged. Absences are simply counted into the grade, as the student missed this opportunity to learn.

Options for making up absences may at times be arranged, but only at the discretion of the instructor, and as arranged
by written agreement prepared by the student. If absences are anticipated, the plan for making them up must be
arranged by the student prior to the absence, and then that plan must be followed.

Tardiness will negatively affect the attendance/participation grade. 5 minutes late equals a quarter absence. 10 minutes late
equals a third absence.

Doing homework or any other activity unrelated to class work during the class hour will count as an absence for the
entire hour.

Assignments:
The students should expect to dedicate at least 1(-2) hour every day to the lessons. (Remember. language skills are not
something that can be crammed at the last minutes just before a test. In order to acquire the knowledge and skill necessary to
succeed in this course, you will need to put in time and effort in class and out of class each day.)

Writing assignments: Completing all writing assignments is essential. Homework will be mostly from the Drills and handouts,
and should always be turned in the next day. No late work is accepted.
Reading assignments: Students will do all the readings (mostly from the Grammar Notes section in the “Notes” book) before
they come to class. Class time will be devoted to the use of Japanese, speaking and other class activities.

Class Rules:
Classes will be conducted mostly in Japanese, and students should use the Japanese that they have learned as much as possible
in class and outside of class.

1) No English in class.
This is essential to move away form translating and to make full use of your vocabulary and creative communication skills. To be
able to do this, it is important not to always run to the dictionary (or expect the instructor to act like one) but instead, to work
towards developing the crucial language skill of circumlocution.

Circumlocution means describing something rather than saying the exact word for it. For example, if you do not how to say
"answering machine" in Japanese, you could explain the idea in an indirect manner by describing what it does. You could
communicate your idea more effectively saying "the thing that records your messages when you telephone someone". An important
part of the participation grade will be based on whether or not you use Japanese at all times in class.
2) Students who disturb (with “small talk”, English usage, disrespect, etc.) must leave the class.
3) No food allowed. You can not speak with your mouth full.
4) No use of cellular phone or electronic devices allowed during class.
These are distracting to other students and show disrespect to the teacher.
5) No reading outside materials. (e.g. newspaper, Collegians, etc)
6) Academic honesty and plagiarism
The guidelines in the Student Handbook and Catalog of Courses will be followed.

Students must take responsibility for their own learning. You should let me know if you have any questions or difficulties (such as feeling
anxious about some aspect of the course). You are strongly encouraged to come to office hours at least once a week to notice your
improvement or ask questions. I am available outside of class.
Studying together as a group and/or with a tutor is strongly recommended.

Reasonable and appropriate accommodations, that take into account the context of the course and its essential elements, for individuals
with qualifying disabilities, are extended through the office of Student Disability Services. Students with disabilities are encouraged to
contact the Student Disability Services Coordinator at (925) 631-4164 to set up a confidential appointment to discuss accommodation
guidelines and available services. Additional information regarding the services available may be found at the following address on the SMC
website: http://www.stmarys-ca.edu/ academics/academic-advising-and-achievement/student-disability-services.htm

Office & Office hours: Dante 331, M W F 12:40-1:30, and by appointment

Phone: (925) 631-4044

E-mail: nuehara@stmarys-ca.edu

Class Time & Classroom (TBA): M W F 11:30am – 12:3 T 11:20am – 12:20am