Florida International University
Department of Modern Languages
Syllabus: JPN 1130 –U01 (Japanese I)
Semester: Spring, 2015
Class Time: Tu Th 5:00PM - 7:40PM
Class Room: Graham Center 277
Instructor: Mieko Avello
Office hours: by appointment only
Website:
E-mail: mavello@fiu.edu
http://asian.fiu.edu/ (Asian Studies Program)
http://dll.fiu.edu/ (Modern Languages Dept.)
Course Description:
This course covers the basic structure of the Japanese language: ritual expressions, basic
grammatical structure, vocabulary, and the writing system. Students will also experience
Japanese culture through various activities.
Course Objectives:
1. Students will be introduced to the basic structures of Japanese and encouraged to
utilize them in appropriate situations.
2. Students will learn Japanese writing systems; Hiragana, Katakana and 29 kanji.
3. Students will be able to talk about themselves, their family, their likes and dislikes,
their immediate happenings, etc. in simple sentences.
4. Students will be able to complete basic communicative tasks in different social
contexts such as shopping, ordering food, inviting others to do something with you.
5. Students will be able to write short passages on the similar topics.
6. Students will also learn aspects of Japanese culture that relate to the lesson topics.
Textbooks:
1. Banno, Eri, Yutaka Ohno, Yoko Ikeda, and Chikako Shinagawa. An Integrated
Course in Elementary Japanese: Genki I (second edition). Japan: Japan Times
Publishing, 2011.
2. Banno, Eri, Yutaka Ohno, Yoko Ikeda, and Chikako Shinagawa. An Integrated
Course in Elementary Japanese: Genki I Workbook (Second Edition). Japan: Japan
Times Publishing, 2011.
Audio:
1. Banno, Eri, Yutaka Ohno, Yoko Sakane, and Chikako Shinagawa. An Integrated
Course in Elementary Japanese: Genki CDI. Japan: Japan Times Publishing, 2011
(You can also go the language lab to listen to the audio.)
Course Work:
1. An Integrated Course in Elementary Japanese: Genki I (second edition)
a. Conversation & Grammar Lesson 1-5
b. Reading & Writing Lesson 1-5
2. An Integrated Course in Elementary Japanese: Genki I Workbook(second edition)
a. Conversation & Grammar Lesson 1-5
b. Reading & Writing Lesson 1-5
Grading Evaluation:
Grading Scale
100 – 94 A
93 – 90
A89 – 87
B+
86 – 83
B
Grades:
Assignment
Quizzes
Lesson tests
Final exam
Presentation
Interview
Class participation
82 – 80
79 – 77
76 – 73
72 – 70
BC+
C
C-
69 – 67
D+
66 – 63
D
62 – 60
D59 & below F
10%
15%
30%
15%
10%
10%
10%
Class:
The Class meets twice a week, and daily attendance and participation are absolutely
necessary. All students are expected to be fully prepared and on time for class. If something
comes up which causes you to miss class, contact your instructor as soon as possible via email.
Penalty of absences are as follow (No extra work can make up for the absences).
- Being 15 minutes late or leaving 15 minutes early three times will equal one
absence.
- One grade lower for more than 4 inexcusable absences.
- Two grades lower for more than 6 inexcusable absences.
- One letter grade lower for more than 8 inexcusable absences.
Quizzes/Exams:
Quizzes will normally be given at the beginning of the class. The dates of quizzes will be
announced in class. There will be NO make-up quizzes or exams. The lowest grade of
quizzes will be dropped. In cases of emergency, you should contact your instructor as soon as
possible and present an appropriate document in order to discuss the matter.
Final exam
This will be a comprehensive exam. It will cover from chapter 1-5.
Interviews
You will have a mini interview in a group setting and a final interview with your instructor. It
will be short conversations.
Presentation
You will have two group presentations. You must make two skits with your classmates and
memorize all lines. More details will be announced in our class.
Assignments:
a. Workbook
Check the page numbers on the syllabus before doing the homework assignments. To do the
listening comprehension exercises, use MP3 CD-ROM attached to the workbook. You need
to correct your answers with a different color pen by checking the answer keys (posted on
Google drive). If your answers are all correct, write “No mistake.” If you do not correct
your answers, you will not get credit.
b. Writing assignments (occasionally assigned in our class)
Late assignments are not accepted. Your instructor will collect the assignment at the
beginning of the class.
Blackboard
Your instructor will upload several important documents on Blackboard such as the answer
keys for your workbook, study tips for your exams, lists of resourceful links, etc. You should
get your username and password as soon as possible. Go to the following link and ask help if
necessary: ets@fiu.edu
You can also communicate with your instructor and your classmates on Blackboard e-mail.
How to prepare for the class:
This course is not like other classes. Language learning takes time and there is no short cut for
anyone. The more you put in your time, the more progress you make. In order to be a
successful language learner, you must study every day. It is crucial for you to read the
grammar section of each chapter BEFORE our class. You will not learn much if you come
to the class without any preparation. Talk to your instructor immediately when you are having
any problems. Enjoy learning Japanese! Ganbatte!
Attention:
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Check the class schedule on the syllabus. Be prepared before coming to the
class.
No cheating and plagiarizing. Cheating/Plagiarizing will lead to failure on
the test/assignment.
Keep your appointments with your instructor. Be punctual. If you cannot
show up at the scheduled time or must reschedule, call beforehand. If for some
reason, you could not contact her/him in advance contact her/him afterward, as
soon as you can.
Do not be afraid to make mistakes! You learn the best when you make
mistakes. Others can learn from your mistakes, too.
*Disability Statement: Students with documented special learning needs may
want to inform the instructor.
Electric devices should be turned off before our class.
Note: Professor reserves the right to modify syllabus as necessary.
Class schedule:
Week
Date
1
1/13
Introduction
Hiragana
Greetings
Lesson 1
1/15
Hiragana
Lesson 1
11,12(Write in Romaji), 117,118
1/20
Hiragana, Hiragana combination
Lesson 1
14,119,120,121
1/22
Lesson 1
13,15,16,122,123
1/27
Lesson 1 Review
Lesson 1 test
Katakana
Katakana
Lesson 2
Katakana
Lesson 2
Katakana, Katakana combination
Lesson 2
Lesson 2
17,18, 19
2
3
1/29
4
2/03
2/05
5
6
7
8
2/10
Class schedule
Homework Due
(Workbook)
124,125
20,21
126,127,128
22,23,24
25,26
2/12
Lesson 2
Lesson 2 Review
Lesson 2 test
2/17
Lesson3
Kanji
2/19
Lesson3
Kanji
27,129, Kanji sheet
2/24
Lesson3
28,29, Kanji sheet
2/26
Lesson3
Mini Interview
Mini Presentation
Lesson 3 Review
Lesson 3 test
Lesson 4
Kanji
30,31
3/03
3/05
32,35,130
33,34
9
10
3/103/12
3/17
Spring Break
36,37,131, Kanji sheet
3/19
Lesson 4
Kanji
Lesson 4
3/24
Lesson 4
41, 42, 132
3/26
Lesson 4
Lesson 4 Review
Lesson 4 test
Lesson 5
Kanji
43, 44
4/02
Lesson 5
Kanji
45, 46,47, Kanji sheet
4/07
Lesson 5
48,49,133, Kanji sheet
4/09
Lesson 5
50, 51, 134
4/14
52,53
4/16
Lesson 5 Review
Lesson 5 Test
Final Interview
15
4/21
Skit Presentation
16
4/23
4/28
Final Review
Final Exam
11
12
13
14
3/31
38,39,40, Kanji sheet