Chabot College
Fall 2010
Course Outline for Japanese 50A
JAPANESE CONVERSATION AND CULTURE I
Catalog Description:
JAPN 50A - Japanese Conversation and Culture I
3.00 units
Development of an understanding of spoken Japanese through pronunciation, vocabulary, and applied
grammar. Introduction to the everyday culture of Japanese-speaking people. Following an immersion
instruction format, the class is entirely taught in the target world language of the selected course.
Requisites: none
Units
Contact Hours
Week
Term
3.00
Lecture
Laboratory
Clinical
Total
3.00
3.00
1.00
0.00
4.00
3.00
1.00
0.00
4.00
Prerequisite Skills:
None
Measurable Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:
1. pronounce Japanese words correctly;
2. have simple conversation in Japanese, using present and past tenses;
3. use active vocabulary, idiomatic expressions and basic grammar to engage in routine
conversational interactions in the target language;
4. demonstrate a basic knowledge of the history, culture, and geography of Japan;
5. demonstrate a basic understanding and an appreciation of the culture of the Japanese-speaking
people.
Course Content:
LECTURE
1. Introduction of the basic Japanese conversation patterns using correct intonation and stress
needed by students to talk about themselves, their family and work in the target language.
2. Introduction of the grammar and vocabulary that would allow students to: greet others, make
introductions, take leave, and express appreciation, tell time, count objects, order food and drink in
restaurants and buy everyday items in shops and department stores.
3. Introduction to Romanization Japanese characters (Roma-ji).
4. Introduction to the “extra polite” level of Japanese in everyday situations.
5. Providing a basic familiarity of history, culture, and geography of Japan.
6. Introduction of the social and cultural differences between Japanese and American cultural
practices.
LABORATORY
1. Activate lecture content using interactive audio and audiovisual programs on CDs, DVDs, CD
ROMS, target language websites, etc., featuring culturally authentic and contextual guided
speaking, reading, writing activities.
2. Organized laboratory activities including conversation groups.
A. The Japanese sound system, including voiced consonants, long vowels, and double
consonants, glides, softening of medial and final “u” and “I” sounds.
B. Development of correct sentence intonations.
Methods of Presentation
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Lecture/Discussion
Introduction and discussion of Japanese conversational methods
Choral/individual repetition of model speech
Simulation by instructor and re-creation of dialogues and improvisation
Use of supplementary materials such as audio and visual.
Group Activities
Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress
1. Typical Assignments
A. Prepare a 5-minute skit reflecting a social situation in a culturally appropriate manner for
example, greetings and introductions.
B. Read and present a brief one-page newspaper or magazine article. Good examples of
newspapers and magazines can be found at the library and for online articles you can find
them at the World Languages department website.
C. Watch short 30-minute film clips or listen to audio material that can be found at our
Learning Center and summarize to the class.
2. Methods of Evaluating Student Progress
A. Quizzes
B. Class Participation
C. Homework
D. Oral Presentation
E. Exams/Tests
F. Midterm Examination
G. Final Examination
Textbooks (Typical):
1. AJALT (2006). Japanese for Busy People, Revised, Vol 1 (Romanized version) (3rd /e). Tokyo,
New York, London Kodansha.
2. Yokiko Abe Hatasa, Seiichi Makino, and Kazumi Hatasa (2009). Nakama 1 Introductory Japanese:
Communication, Culture, Context (2nd /e). Boston, New York Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing
Company.
Special Student Materials