Department of Foreign Languages
http://www.kennesaw.edu/foreignlanguage
JPN 3302: Practical Conversation Spring 2014
Students are responsible for downloading syllabi at the beginning of each semester.
Day/Time:
Room:
Instructor:
Office:
Phone:
E-mail:
Office Hours:
Class Contact #1 ____________________ Telephone: ____________________
E-mail ______________________________
Class Contact #2 ____________________ Telephone: ____________________
E-mail ______________________________
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course emphasizes expansion of effective listening comprehension and speaking skills
through culturally and linguistically appropriate activities. Course prerequisite: JPN 2002 or the
equivalent.
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COURSE OBJECTIVES
At the end of the semester, students will be able to:
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Express themselves at a more sophisticated level and discuss social or cultural topics with
more complex sentence structures and vocabulary
Engage in more spontaneous oral discussion on basic topics
Respond appropriately in context-specific conversational settings
Demonstrate an understanding of the products and practices of the target culture appropriate
to the course content, an understanding of the main cultural references in a variety of written
and audiovisual materials appropriate to the course content, and an emerging understanding
of cultural patterns of interaction.
COURSE MATERIAL
Required
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Genki: An Integrated Course in Elementary Japanese II [2nd edition] (Eri Banno; The Japan
Times, 2011) [ISBN: 978-4-7890-1443-4]
Genki: An Integrated Course in Elementary Japanese Workbook II [2nd edition] (Eri Banno;
The Japan Times, 2011) [ISBN: 978-47890-1441-1]
Genki-Online: genki.japantimes.co.jp/index_en
Recommended
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Genki-Online, http://genki.japantimes.co.jp/self_en
Kanji Look and Learn (Banno, et al.; The Japan Times, 2009) [ISBN: 978-4-7890-1349-9]
Kanji Look and Learn Workbook (Banno, et al.; The Japan Times, 2009) [ISBN: 978-47890-1350-5]
RESOURCES
As we meet twice a week, it is strongly recommend that you make use of the following
resources:
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Join the KSU Japanese Club for weekly, monthly, and special events;
Actively use the Foreign Language Resource Center (FLRC) where you can explore
Japanese language software, work with a Japanese language tutor, check out Japanese
books, movies, etc.
Explore the following websites:
thejapanesepage.com/grammar (Japanese grammar lessons)
www.gwu.edu/~eall/vjg/vjghomepage/vjghome.htm (Flash animations of grammatical
structures)
japanese.about.com (Japanese grammar, pronunciation, vocabulary, culture, etc.)
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www.polarcloud.com/rikaichan/ (popup Japanese-English dictionary tool)
www.nhk.or.jp/r-news (NHK radio news)
www.jisho.org (Denshi Jisho – Online Japanese dictionary)
ejje.weblio.jp (Japanese  English translator)
www.asahi.com (Asahi Shinbun [Newspaper])
mainichi.jp (Mainichi Shinbun [Newspaper])
Technical Help Resource
For any technical problems, please visit the following website of ITS and contact them for help.
http://its.kennesaw.edu/students/index.html
FINAL GRADE
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Class performance*
Homework
Quizzes
Tests, project
Final Exam
25%
20%
15%
20%
20 %
TOTAL: 100%
* Class performance is based on active participation and successful completion of class activities.
Grading Scale: 100-90%=A; 89-80%=B; 79-70%=C; 69-60%=D; 59% and below=F
TENTATIVE SEMESTER SCHEDULE (subject to change as necessary)
Tuesday
Thursday
Jan. 14
Lesson 18: John’s Part-Time Job
Jan. 21
Lesson 18 cont.
Jan. 28
Lesson 18 cont.
Feb. 4
Lesson 18 TEST; L.19: Meeting the Boss
Feb. 11
Lesson 19 cont.
Jan. 9
Introduction/Orientation + Review
Jan. 16
Lesson 18 cont.
Jan. 23
Lesson 18 cont.
Jan. 30
Lesson 18 cont.
Feb. 6
Lesson 19 cont.
Feb. 13
Lesson 19 cont.
Feb. 18
Feb. 20
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Lesson 19 cont.
Lesson 19 cont.
Feb. 25
Lesson 19 cont.
March 4
Spring break – no class
March 11
Lesson 20: Mary’s Shopping
March 18
Lesson 20 cont.
March 25
Lesson 20 cont.
April 1
Lesson 20 cont.
April 8
Lesson 21 cont.
April 15
Lesson 21 cont.
April 22
Lesson 21 cont.
April 29
Semester / Final Exam Review
Feb. 27
Lesson 19 TEST
March 6
Spring break – no class
March 13
Lesson 20 cont.
March 20
Lesson 20 cont.
March 27
Lesson 20 cont.
April 3
Lesson 20 TEST; L.21: Burglar
April 10
Lesson 21 cont.
April 17
Lesson 21 cont.
April 24
Lesson 21 cont.
May 1 ~ 7
Final Exam
GENERAL EXPECTATIONS
1. Attendance: Attendance is mandatory. However, you are allowed two (2) absences (excused
or otherwise) without penalty. After these 2 absences, class performance scores will be
calculated as zeros when averaged into the final grade. Arriving late or departing early does not
excuse you from any announcements or material covered in class. If you arrive late (5 mins. or
more after the start of class) or leave early (10 mins. or more before the end of class), your class
performance grade will be lowered by 10% unless excused by the instructor.
2. Class performance: You will be held to the highest standards of conduct and contribution
when determining the class performance grade, which will be based on the following:
10.0 = Active participation*, and successful completion of class activities**
9.0~9.9 = Active participation, and few errors in class activities
8.0~8.9 = Participation with some errors in class activities
7.0~7.9 = Limited participation and/or frequent errors (after repeated corrections)
0.0 = Unexcused absence or no participation in class activities
*”Active participation” is defined as “paying close attention to instructions, providing
immediate and pertinent responses when prompted, being proactively involved in speaking and
listening activities in pair or group exercises, etc.”
**Your oral performance will be considered “successful” if you demonstrate good listening
comprehension, use grammatically accurate words/expressions, and speak in sentences at a
steady pace, using correct pronunciation.
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3. Homework: Assignments must be submitted at the beginning of class. Maximum points are
given for assignments that are completed in their entirety, thoughtfully, carefully, and with few
errors. No credit will be given for homework submitted late, unless it is submitted on the day
back after an absence.
4. Assessments: Quizzes may be either scheduled or unannounced and are based on
vocabulary, grammatical content, cultural topics or reading/writing kanji. You may drop your
lowest quiz score. There will be at least three (3) tests before final exam. There will be no make
up for any missed quiz or test, and a score of zero (0) will be assigned for any quiz/test not taken.
Emergencies are handled on an individual basis.
5. Audio Program: You are required to listen to and practice the dialogs, exercises, vocabulary,
etc. in both the Textbook and Workbook using the Audio Program available either online or with
the CD that accompanies the required materials.
6. Deadlines: It is your responsibility to turn in assignments at the start of each class, and take
assessments on time as indicated on the schedule. If you are unable to submit an assignment due
to legitimate, predetermined circumstances, notify the instructor before it happens, and submit
the assignment the day you return to class.
5. Other Expectations: You are expected to
1. bring all materials and books to each class, and come to class having prepared the
material on the syllabus for that day and ready to participate actively in class.
2. respond in communicative exercises and class activities.
3. refrain from speaking in languages other than Japanese unless instructed.
4. check e-mail daily and to respond to instructor’s messages promptly.
5. print out/download any necessary materials uploaded and posted online.
6. maintain a folder of all work for the class.
7. keep track of your own scores and grades throughout the semester.
8. turn off all electronic devices in class, refrain from eating, and show respect to your
classmates
You are encouraged to
9. attend Japanese language- or culture-related events on or off campus
10. make active use of the FLRC, completing the Student/Tutor Report Form, and work with
available Japanese tutors.
Extra credit will be added to your final grade for proof of either/both.
GENERAL POLICIES
1. Academic Integrity
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Every KSU student is responsible for upholding the provisions of the Student Code of Conduct,
as published in the Undergraduate and Graduate Catalogs. Section II of the Student Code of
Conduct addresses the University’s policy on academic honesty, including provisions regarding
plagiarism and cheating, unauthorized access to University materials, misrepresentation /
falsification of University records or academic work, malicious/intentional misuse of computer
facilities and/or services, and misuse of student identification cards. Incidents of alleged
academic misconduct will be handled through the established procedures of the University
Judiciary Program, which includes either an “informal” resolution by a faculty member, resulting
in a grade adjustment, or a formal hearing procedure, which may subject a student to the Code of
Conduct’s minimum one semester suspension requirement. [KSU Student Code of Conduct,
http://www.kennesaw.edu/judiciary/code.conduct.shtml]
2. Disability Policy
Kennesaw State University provides program accessibility and reasonable accommodations for
persons identified as disabled under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 or the
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. A number of services are available to help disabled
students with their academic work. In order to make arrangements for special services, students
must visit the Office of Disabled Student Support Services (ext. 6443) and arrange an individual
assistance plan. In some cases, certification of disability is required.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
This course will contribute to the attainment of the following general (GSLO) and specific
(SSLO) student learning outcomes of the B.A. in Modern Language & Culture (ML&C):
GSLO ML&C 1: LANGUAGE, LINGUISTICS, & COMPARISONS
Learners are proficient in using the target language, are familiar with the target language
system, and seek opportunities to further develop their skills and knowledge. (Knowledge, Skills,
Attitudes)
SSLO ML&C 1a: Demonstrating Language Proficiency
Learners demonstrate an appropriate level of proficiency in the target language, and seek
opportunities to strengthen their proficiency. (Knowledge, Skills, Attitudes)
To address this outcome, learners will
 improve their speaking skills by making use of the online materials and the audio files
that accompany the textbook and workbook, actively participating in class activities
including pair- and group-work exercises, appropriately integrating specific
vocabulary words, idiomatic expressions, and language structures into their oral
communication.
Assessment:
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Learners actively and appropriately participate in class activities. Learners take
regularly-scheduled quizzes, and chapter tests, and complete daily assignments from
the textbook, workbook, and online materials.
To address this outcome, learners will
 improve their listening skills by actively participating in class activities including
pair- and group-work exercises, practice using the audio files accompanying the
textbook and workbook, and complete exercises and assignments that make use of
the audio files and online resources.
Assessment:
 Learners actively and appropriately participate in class activities, and demonstrate an
understanding of aural comprehension questions on regularly-scheduled quizzes and
tests.
SSLO ML&C 1b: Understanding Linguistics
Learners know the linguistic elements of the target-language system, recognize the
changing nature of language, and accommodate for gaps in their own knowledge of the
target-language system by learning on their own. (Knowledge, Skills, Attitudes)
To address this outcome, learners will
 Understand the rules and sound patterns of the Japanese sound system; understand
spoken and written Japanese using basic vocabulary and sentence structures;
understand how the different honorific and humble levels of the language are used to
interact in a variety of daily situations.
Assessment:
 Learners demonstrate their knowledge and acquisition of linguistic elements in
performance in a variety of in-class activities and online practices, complete daily
homework, and take regularly scheduled quizzes and tests. With continued feedback
and reinforcement, they are able to improve their application of their Japanese
language knowledge in linguistically and culturally appropriate ways.
GSLO ML&C 2: CULTURES & LITERATURES
Learners know the literature and culture of the target language countries. They use this
knowledge to interpret and reflect upon the perspectives of the target culture in relation to its
practices and products. (Knowledge, Skills, Attitudes)
SSLO ML&C 2a: Demonstrating Cultural Understandings
Learners demonstrate that they understand the connections among the perspectives of a
culture and its practices and products. (Knowledge, Skills, Attitudes)
To address this outcome, learners will
 Listen to the materials that describe the target culture and traditions, and participate in
class activities and discussions. They are required to perform on a daily basis in
classroom activities. They will also participate in Japanese language- and culture-
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related events on and off campus, and share their observations of cultural traditions,
as well as analyze their perspectives with respect to their own opinions and cultural
outlook.
Assessment:
 Learners actively interact with native speakers of Japanese, participate in on- and offcampus cultural events and in-class discussions; share their experiences of these
Japanese cultural events and differences in oral presentations or written formats.
SSLO ML&C 2c: Demonstrating Intercultural Understanding.
Candidates recognize and understand differences within and between cultures; they
interpret a variety of cultural documents and events and new cultural knowledge; they
analytically evaluate cultural generalizations, and distinguish cultural generalizations
from cultural stereotypes. (Knowledge, Skills, Attitudes)
To address this outcome, learners will
 Participate in simulated conversations and skits; analyze real conversation
samples; compare and contrast cultural interactions; participate in cultural events on
and off campus.
Assessment:
 Quizzes, tests, oral presentations, in-class activities and cultural reports.
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