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 The study of modern Japanese broadens the mind and provides insight
into one of the world's richest cultures. Oglethorpe's Japanese
program embraces the "five C's" of foreign
language education outlined in the National Standards in Foreign
Language Education: communication, cultures, connections,
comparisons, and communities.
Oglethorpe's four-course Japanese
sequence assumes no initial knowledge of the language. The courses
lead the student step by step toward communicative competence in the
four basic language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and
writing. These skills are taught by means of model conversations,
role plays, listening activities, and readings. Elementary classes
present the fundamentals of the language through a sequence of units
that focus on daily life. A typical conversation at the beginning
level might be about making plans for the weekend or describing
one's family. Students are initially trained in the two phonetic
kana scripts so that they are able to write in Japanese from the
very beginning. Training in kanji characters begins in the second
semester. At the intermediate level students master more advanced
vocabulary and grammatical patterns. The student also learns how to
use the language appropriately in different social contexts. A
conversation at this level might be about the student's career
plans, while a typical reading might deal with changing attitudes
toward marriage in Japan. By the end of the four-course sequence,
the student will be able to express a broad range of ideas with
confidence, will be capable of writing short essays, and will know
about 240 kanji characters.
Students who seek further training in Japanese can take advanced
Japanese through cross registration at one of the Atlanta Regional
Consortium for Higher Education (ARCHE) institutions. Full-immersion
study abroad opportunities are available at Oglethorpe's sister
schools in Japan, Seigakuin University and Otaru University of
Commerce.
General interest courses taught in English on premodern and
modern Japanese literature supplement the language curriculum. These
and other eligible courses can be taken in conjunction with the
language sequence toward fulfillment of the requirements for a minor
in Japanese. The combination of a Japanese minor with a major in any
of the traditional liberal arts disciplines can greatly enhance
marketability following graduation, and can lead to career
opportunities in fields as diverse as education, foreign service,
and international commerce.
Students with previous study experience should take the Japanese
placement examination prior to registration.
Minor
A minor in Japanese consists of successful completion of
Intermediate Japanese II and two culture courses, totaling 24
semester hours. At least one of the two years of language study must
be taken at Oglethorpe. The student may select two culture courses
from the following:
JPN 301 JPN 302 Special Topics in Japanese Language, Literature,
and
Culture I, II
PHI 321 Special Topics in Philosophy: Philosophical Issues and
Problems - Philosophy of the Kyoto School
PHI 321 Special Topics in Philosophy: Philosophical Issues and
Problems - Japanese Aesthetics
Other courses offered at Oglethorpe as special topics courses, as
well as certain courses offered at other colleges and through study
abroad programs, may also qualify.
Study Abroad and Internships
Although it is expected that at least half of the courses counted
toward the minor must be taken at Oglethorpe, all students of
Japanese language and culture are strongly encouraged to spend at
least one semester in Japan. Guidance in finding an appropriate
program is provided by the Japanese department or the Oglethorpe
University Students Abroad (OUSA) Director. Of particular interest
to students of Japanese is the Oglethorpe exchange agreement with
Seigakuin University in Tokyo and Otaru University of Commerce in
Hokkaido. See also
Oglethorpe University Students Abroad in the
Educational Enrichment
Section.
A student can also gain practical experience by pursuing
internship opportunities in Japanese organizations and firms in and
around Atlanta. Credit for these activities is given when the
internship is completed in accordance with the objectives agreed
upon with the faculty supervisor. Credit is given toward the minor
upon approval by the student's faculty advisor. The Career Services
Office has an extensive list of available internships.
The following courses are offered on Japanese:
| JPN 101, JPN 102.
Elementary Japanese I, II |
4 plus 4
hours |
| This is a one-year
course sequence in beginning Japanese aimed at developing basic
skills in speaking, reading, writing, and aural comprehension.
The kana and kanji writing systems are introduced. Prerequisite:
None for JPN 101; JPN 101 for JPN 102, or placement by testing.
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| JPN 201. Intermediate Japanese I |
4 hours |
A continuation of
elementary Japanese, the first semester of the second-year
sequence focuses on conversational skills and vocabulary
building, and extends the student's proficiency in reading and
writing. Aspects of the Japanese culture and society are also
explored. Prerequisite: JPN 102 or permission of the instructor.
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| JPN 202. Intermediate
Japanese II |
4 hours |
| This course
consolidates and integrates the student's knowledge of basic
grammatical patterns, and introduces advanced grammatical
structures. Further practice in reading and writing prepares the
student to pursue further study in areas related to his or her
major. Audio-visual materials are used more extensively to
supplement the main text. Prerequisite: JPN 201 or permission of
the instructor.
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| JPN 250. Introduction to
Japanese Literature |
4 hours |
This course is designed
to provide students with a survey of Japanese literature from
classical to modern times. Readings include selections from
creation myths, court romances and poetic diaries, Buddhist folk
tales, the haiku and travel writings of Basho, Saikaku's Five
Women Who Loved Love, the puppet drama Tale of the 47
Samurai, and modern works by Mori Ogai, Soseki Natsume, and
Tanizaki Jun'ichiro. All readings are in English translation.
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| JPN 301, JPN 302. Special Topics
in Japanese Language, Literature, and Culture I, II |
4 plus 4
hours |
Topical
aspects of the literature and cultural phenomena associated with
the Japanese language are explored through readings in English
in this course.
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| JPN 350. Modern Japanese
Literature |
4 hours |
This course is a survey
of Japanese literature from 1890 to the present. The development
of modern literature will be examined beginning with the early
decades of modernization, through militarization and defeat and
ending with a consideration of postmodernist writing. Readings
will include novels and short stories by Mori Ogai, Higuchi
Ichiyo, Tanizaki Jun'ichiro, Dazai Osamu, Oe Kenzaburo, and
Murakami Haruki. Class discussions will be supplemented by
lectures on history and culture. All readings will be in English
translation.
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