COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

011, 012 Intensive First Level Japanese I, II (6, 6)
Designed for students with no or little knowledge of Japanese, this intensive introductory course focuses on building up a solid foundation of linguistic and cultural knowledge as well as interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational communication skills. Students are expected to develop basic competence in the following areas: (a) engaging in spoken and/or written interpersonal communications dealing with familiar topics that are relevant to their life; (b) obtaining information from a variety of audio, visual, audio-visual, written and printed resources; and (c) planning and producing spoken and/or written presentational communications. Students will learn all hiragana and katakana characters and approximately 200 kanji characters by the end of the year. Rigorous participation in class activities, various oral and written assignments and projects, frequent quizzes and tests, and mid-term and final exams will be required. No prerequisite. Professors Sato and Hama


024. East Asia: Texts and Contexts (3)
An examination of the culture, literature, and art of East Asia through intensive analysis and discussion of primary texts in translation, critical articles, and visual materials. Required of majors in their first or second year.  Writing intensive. (This course fulfills a second semester of the humanities and writing General Education Requirements.). Conducted in English. Professor Kafalas or Professor Sand


111, 112 Intensive Second Level Japanese I, II (6, 6)
This course is designed for students who have successfully completed First Level Japanese at Georgetown or equivalent. It aims to improve pre-intermediate students’ overall Japanese language proficiency by providing integrated training of interpretive, interpersonal, and presentational communication skills. Through various oral and/or written activities, students will learn intermediate vocabulary, kanji, and grammar. The course will help students to express your own ideas and opinions about general topics of interest in various conversational situations and independently obtain information from written materials from different sources. About 300 new kanji characters will be introduced. Prerequisite: Successful completion of Intensive First Level Japanese at Georgetown University or equivalent. Professor Omori

211, 212 Third Level Japanese I, II (4, 4)
Designed for students who have successfully completed Second Level Japanese at Georgetown University or equivalent, this course provides integrative, proficiency-oriented language instruction that aims at improving students' interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational communication skills. Students are expected to expand their competence in the following areas: (a) engaging in spoken and/or written interpersonal communications dealing with both familiar and unfamiliar topics; (b) synthesizing information from a variety of authentic audio, visual, audio-visual, written and printed resources; and (c) successfully planning and producing spoken and/or written presentational communications.

Through various spoken and/or written activities, students will (a) increase their linguistic and cultural knowledge as well as communication skills, (b) acquire socio-cultural knowledge that enables them to use appropriate register in real-world communicative situations, (c) deepen their understanding of the target culture by comparing and/or making connections to their own, (d) articulate their own thoughts and opinions in a coherent, persuasive manner, and (e) expand their circle of communication using Japanese. Students are also expected to acquire effective learning strategies that help them become independent, strategic language learners who can increase their proficiency on their own. Rigorous participation in class activities, various oral and written assignments/projects, frequent quizzes and tests, mid-term and final exams, and a term project will be required. Prerequisite: Successful completion of Intensive Second Level Japanese at Georgetown University or equivalent. Professor Sato

311, 312 Integrative Advanced Japanese I, II (3)
This course is designed to improve pre-advanced or advanced students' overall Japanese language proficiency by providing integrated training of interpretive, interpersonal, and presentational skills. The course also provides students with ample opportunity to gather and share information, compare contrasting information, connect new knowledge to the existing knowledge, reflect upon different cultures, express personal thoughts and opinions, and raise their community awareness. Through various oral and/or written communication activities, students will learn advanced vocabulary, kanji, grammar, and both casual and formal expressions suitable for different social situations. Students will also learn to handle authentic printed and spoken materials independently by enhancing their study skills. Prerequisite: Successful completion of Third Level Japanese at Georgetown University or equivalent. Professor Mori

314. Advanced Oral Communication (3)
This course aims to improve pre-advanced students' oral communication skills.  It focuses on accurate comprehension of spoken Japanese and effective presentation of opinions about the topics discussed in class.  The course will deal with various topics including Japanese culture, language, current affairs, and science and technology.  Effective communication strategies will also be discussed.  Oral performance will be evaluated on the basis of content, effectiveness, accuracy, and fluency. SFS students who plan to take the oral proficiency test are strongly encouraged to take this course. Prerequisite: Japanese 212 or equivalent. Professor Omori


321, 322. Business Japanese (3, 3)
This course is designed to develop mastery of a wide range of key general and specialized Japanese business vocabulary. The course focuses on practical applications in Japanese, involving corporate business settings and procedures, transactions in stocks, bonds and futures, foreign trade transactions and negotiations, etc. Special attention is also given to business practices in Japan concerning hiring and employment, insurance, corporate organization and structure, etc. Students will learn to read and interpret stock bond, foreign exchange and futures listings in Japanese, in specialized as well as general newspapers and periodicals. There are also videos showing real business situations in Japan. In addition, students will develop comprehension of current financial broadcasts on tape. All class material consists of contemporary authentic texts in Japanese. The prerequisite for this course is successful completion of three years of Japanese or equivalent. Professor McCaskey 


331. Readings in Current Affairs (3)
This course aims to improve reading skills through reading of current events taken from recent periodicals.  It emphasizes accurate comprehension, fluency in reading, and expansion of vocabulary on social, economic, and political topics.  Although the focus of the course is on reading comprehension, in order to enhance both written and oral communication skills, students will also be expected to write and/or orally present their opinions on the topics discussed in class .  Active participation is required.  This course will use WWW and multimedia learning tools, as well as conventional written materials, to assist integrated Japanese learning.  SFS students who plan to take the oral proficiency test are strongly encouraged to take this course.  Prerequisite: Japanese 212 or equivalent.  Professor Mori


333. Readings in History and Society (3) 
Close readings of selected writings from major scholars in history, media and social criticism will be combined with video, comics and primary documents. Classes will combine rigorous analyses of the texts with student presentations and discussion on issues related to the reading. Past reading topics have included: the history of rice-culture in Japan, the imperial house and the "emperor system," feminist perspectives on the contemporary family, the commercialization of marriage and other social rituals, and Aum Shinrikyo.  Professor Sand


349. Catholicism in Japanese Culture (3)
Catholicism has a history in Japan longer than the United States has been around. Beginning with the arrival of St. Francis Xavier in 1549, Catholicism has shaped Japanese culture in subtle but profound ways. How many people realize that tempura has its origins in the dietary requirements of Jesuits during Lent (the tempora when meat was not to be eaten)? This course seeks to enrich our understanding of Japanese culture by challenging stereotypes of Japanese culture as either "non-religious" (materialistic) or "not-our-religious" (Buddhist, Confucian, etc). Simultaneously, it challenges Eurocentric views that reduce Catholicism to an expression of Western culture. Readings include historical texts, theological works, and novels (especially the novels by the Catholic writer, Endo Shusaku). Take a course at Georgetown that will introduce you to what St. Francis Xavier struggled with at the end of his life! Course and readings are in English. Professor Doak


351. Buildings and Cities in Japanese History (3) 
An interdisciplinary survey of Japanese history from ancient times to modern through architecture, garden design, and city-building. We will analyze visual and material forms in the culture of urban life in order to read patterns of social change. No previous knowledge of Japan, art, or architecture required. May also be taken as HIST-224. Conducted in English.  Professor Sand


352. Mass Society and Culture in Modern Japan (3) 
Many of us know Japan today through a hodgepodge of mass-produced goods and pop-culture images: cars, robots, electronic gadgets, karaoke singing, anime cartoons and video games. The arrival of these products on the world market, however, is just the latest development in the transformation of Japan from a largely peasant society to a highly urbanized, intricately managed, technology-and media-saturated one.  Through historical readings as well as literature, film and ethnography, this course will trace the trajectory of that change from the late 19th century to the present, looking particularly at the impact of “massification” on culture.  In the process, we will explore several approaches to conceptualizing mass society and its contemporary manifestations in Japan. Conducted in English.  Professor Sand


356. Inventing Tradition: Interpreting Japanese Culture (3)
An examination through literature, film, and popular culture of the dynamics of cross-cultural understanding, primarily between Asia and the West. We will focus on topics such as the relationship of knowledge to power in
cross-cultural encounters; the ways cultures mourn historical traumas through literature and art, and how these responses to traumas can be compared across cultures; the relationship of politics to literature and aesthetics. Conducted in English. Professor Rubinfein


357. Negotiating Modernity and Japanese Culture (3)
This course explores the ways culture and cultural expressions in twentieth century Japan have registered the claims of modernity.  A key objective of the course is to introduce the breadth and depth of the problem of modernity in Japan, especially as literary writers have engaged it.  Some issues we will explore include the invention of tradition, new ways of conceiving Japan's relationship to other nations and people, and the often-reciprocal relationship this cosmopolitanism had with certain kinds of national identities. This course aims to provide the student with the conceptual and cultural tools to engage in an informed manner with contemporary cultural issues in Japan today. Readings include novels and interpretive works on literary, cultural and socio-historical topics related to the problem of modernity in Japan. The course will be conducted in English; all readings are in English. Professor Doak


358.  Cultures of Modernization in East Asia (3)
In the course of the twentieth century, one Asian country after another became a laboratory for experiments in agriculture, industrial development and social engineering under the name of “modernization.” What was “modernization”? What ideals and what dangers did it represent to people? This course will resituate modernization in the context of its time and examine it from the bottom up. Through works of history, anthropology, fiction and film, we will explore the experience of economic development and social reform at regional and local levels throughout East Asia. Topic areas will include Japanese colonial administration in Korea and Taiwan, the green revolution in the Philippines, national culture under the developmental state in Singapore, everyday life reform campaigns in Japan, and China’s Great Leap Forward. Readings will also include works on modernization theory in mid-century social science and its influence on policies in Asia. Conducted in English. Professor Sand


359. Readings in Political Culture (3)
This course will introduce a variety of readings that speak to current issues in modern Japanese political culture.  The emphasis will not be on political science, narrowly construed, but on the broader kinds of issues, debates and themes that are prominent in current national Japanese media.  Topics may include: the history of the Japanese national flag, the shifting attitudes of Japanese people toward their state, different expressions of Japanese ethnic identity and culture.  The goal of this course is to prepare the student linguistically and conceptually for independent analysis of current Japanese political and cultural debates.  All readings are in modern, standard Japanese; the class may be conducted in either English or Japanese, depending on the desires and skill-level of the class.  Professor Doak


361, 362. Readings in Japanese Literature I, II (3, 3) 
 This course focuses on a series of readings of selections from Modern Japanese Literature by leading Twentieth Century authors. This semester covers the period from around 1920 to the 1960s. The selections are mainly from leading works of fiction, but some selections from poetry and drama are also included. Authors include Akutagawa Ryunosuke (fiction), Nakano Shigeharu  (poetry), Nogami Yaeko (fiction), Tanizaki Jun'ichiro (fiction), Yosano Akiko (poetry), Dazai Osamu (drama), Miyamoto Yuriko (fiction), Kawabata Yasunari (fiction), Mishima Yukio (drama), and Abe Kobo (fiction). Each selection consists of a passage in Japanese from an author, with English and Japanese vocabulary notes and analyses for each. Relevant comparisons will be made among the various authors and their works, from the perspective of their historical and social contexts.  This course is in Japanese, combining content and language learning. The prerequisite for this course is successful completion of three years of Japanese or equivalent.  Professor McCaskey


372. Readings in Language and Culture (3) 
This course provides advanced training in reading and writing in Japanese, using selected texts on the Japanese language and culture.  Analyses of texts will be combined with discussions and written assignments to improve both written and oral communication skills.  The topics discussed in the course will include the characteristics of the Japanese language, a comparison between Japanese and other languages, gender differences in language use, language change, foreign words, and honorification.  Various reading assignments, oral and written assignments, and frequent quizzes will be given.  Active participation in class discussions is required.  The prerequisite for this course is successful completion of three years of Japanese or equivalent. Professor Mori


391. Introduction to Japanese Linguistics (3) 
This course introduces a wide range of topics in Japanese linguistics.  The objectives of this course include: (a) to familiarize the students with basic notions and terminology used in Japanese linguistics;  (b) to familiarize the students with major issues in different areas of Japanese linguistics;  and (c) to give the students experience in the linguistic analysis of Japanese.  It will cover the basics of Japanese syntax, morphology, semantics, phonetics, and sociolinguistics.  Various reading assignments and data analysis assignments will be given.  Conducted in English. The prerequisite for this course is successful completion of an introductory course in linguistics and/or knowledge of Japanese.  Professor Mori


392. Issues in Acquisition of Japanese (3)
This course introduces major issues and relevant theories in the acquisition of Japanese in order to obtain a better understanding of first and second language acquisition processes.  Issues are selected on the basis on the following questions:  (a) What are major differences between acquiring Japanese as a first language and a second/foreign language?  (b) How does knowledge of a first language influence learning of Japanese?  (c) Are there any aspects that differentiate the acquisition of Japanese from that of other languages?  If so, what are they?, and (d) How is Japanese taught as a second/foreign language in classroom settings and what effects does instruction have?  The course discusses the traditional and current theories of language acquisition and critically examines recent studies on the acquisition of Japanese to determine the validity of the theories.  Students are expected to obtain insights into the issues in Japanese acquisition research, formulate research questions, and possibly design and conduct a study.  Rigorous participation in class discussion, oral report, written assignments, data collection and analysis, and term project/paper are required.  Conducted in English.  Professor Mori


393. Kanji: Logographic Scripts in Japanese (3)
This course examines kanji, the logographic scripts in Japanese, and kanji learning from historical, linguistics, psycholinguistics, sociocultural, and pedagogical perspectives. Topics includes history of kanji, kanji and culture, the linguistic functions of kanji, orthographic processing, kanji instruction for both first (L1) and second language (L2) learners, and kanji learning strategies. In order to obtain a better understanding of kanji possessing and learning, the course provides an overview of major issues and relevant theories in kanji research with regard to L1 and L2 learners, familiarizes students with research methodologies, and develop the ability to critically examine their methodologies and findings and formulate testable research questions. For the course project, students will choose one of the following three options: (a) to increase their own kanji knowledge by learning 1006 kyooiku kanji, (b) to design innovative, effective kanji learning materials and activities, and (c) to write a term paper. Rigorous participation in class discussion, oral report, written assignments, library research, and term paper are required. Professor Mori


406. Endo Shusaku (3)
In this course we will read through most of the novels of Endo Shusaku (1923-1996), one of modern Japan's most important writers. Endo is a unique writer whose travels and stories take the reader from 16th century samurai to twentieth century France and India. Often compared with Francois Mauriac and Graham Greene, he is Japan's most famous "Catholic writer." In this course, we will explore such themes as racial differences, Catholicism in the non-West, and Japanese culture in the modern world.
No knowledge of Japanese is required; course is taught in English. Professor Doak


411.  Japanese Literature in Film (3)
This course will focus on notable Japanese films of the Nineties, in terms of thematic development, comparing groups of cinematic works which deal with similar themes from different perspectives. Of the ten films selected for this semester, five are based on literary works in book form, and five are original cinematic works whose scripts have exceptional literary merit. All the films are outstanding in terms of dramatic and artistic merit as well, and all reflect important Japanese cultural, social and philosophical concepts, and ways of looking at and dealing with the world. The themes dealt with in the films include social commentary, humor, crime, adventure and fantasy. Two of the films are animated, and one, called "Spirited Away" in English, won the 2003 Oscar Award for Best Animated Film.  All films are available in US-compatible DVD format. They can be viewed at any time via the Lauinger Library AV Learning Resource Center.  Conducted in English. Professor McCaskey


412. Japanese Anime Film (3)
This is a course on Japanese Anime film. More details may be obtained from Professor McCaskey.


414. Haiku Images (3)
A study of traditional Haiku, used as a medium for learning Japanese poetic images and cultural concepts. The material covers a wide range of vocabulary and idiomatic expressions, many of which are commonly used in the modern spoken language. The originals are studied through the medium of interpretations in modern standard Japanese. The course provides a developmental historical survey of Haiku, and all major traditional poets are included. Prerequisite: Japanese 212 or equivalent. Professor McCaskey


417. Bashos Travels (3)
This course focuses on Basho's literature in relation to his travels through Edo Japan. In addition to readings of selections from Basho's travel journals in the original, the course also features an analysis of Basho's Nagoya renku cycle, Fuyu no hi, along with a companion study of the realizations of the lines from this renku cycle in Fuyu no hi, the 2003 Ministry of Education Cultural Award-winning anime film in Japanese. Professor McCaskey


430. Japanese Nationalism (3)
This course offers a close look at what nationalism has meant historically in modern Japan and how it is emerging to reshape the cultural and political landscape of postwar Japan. Building on the insights of political theorists like Walker Connor, Ernst Gellner and the late Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan, we expand the scope of inquiry on nationalism from more narrow concerns with militarism, “emperor worship” and the acts of the political state to include considerations of the various ways Japanese people themselves have understood what national identity and nationalism mean to them. Issues include not only nationalism as mobilization for war, but also the postwar “pacifist nationalism”; not only elitist nationalism, but “populist nationalism”; not only ethnic nationalism but “imperial nationalism” (when Koreans and Taiwanese were Japanese “nationals”), not only fascist nationalism but “liberal nationalism.” Every effort will be made to read recent works on Japanese nationalism, particular works written by Japanese people themselves. The course, and all assigned readings, are in English. No prerequisite. Professor Doak


459. Senior Seminar (3) 
The Senior Seminar will focus on critical approaches to literary, historical, and cultural studies. It will cover broad themes on theoretical issues and will bring in different disciplines, and guide students in the writing of a research paper. Required for all majors. Fall.  Professor McCaskey or Professor Sand


463. Readings in Traditional Japanese Literary Genres (3)
An introduction to the development of major traditional forms, including poetry, drama and fiction. Selections are from works including the Imperial Poetry Anthologies, Noh and Kabuki, and the Tale of Genji, with study of original passages through the medium of interpretations in modern Japanese. Prerequisite: JAPN-212 or equivalent. Professor McCaskey