Description:

This course is an introduction to the sounds, vocabulary, grammar, usage and readings of the Japanese language. The emphasis will be on developing basic conversational skills. Cultural materials will be included. This course is typically taught in the fall semester. 5 hrs./wk.

Supplies: Refer to the instructor’s course syllabus for details about any supplies that may be required.

Prerequisites: NONE

Textbook(s): For information see - http://bookstore.jccc.net

Course Fees: NONE

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course the student should be able to:

1. Demonstrate mastery of the fundamentals of Japanese grammar.
2. Demonstrate mastery of the Japanese vocabulary presented.
3. Give accurate English of Japanese translation of the readings.
4. Demonstrate mastery of the sentence patterns presented.
5. Carry on short dialogues in Japanese.
6. Demonstrate a basic understanding of Japanese culture.

Content Outline & Competencies:

At the end of Elementary Japanese I, students will have met the course
objectives and should have mastered the following specific skills:

I. Students will demonstrate basic ability to read in Japanese.
   A. Recognize the characters of two types of Japanese writings, hiragana
and katakana, and also to read the learned words in both forms.
   B. Read simple text (written in Roman alphabets) dealing with learned
materials and give accurate translation of the Japanese.

II. Listen and understand basic spoken Japanese.
   A. Recognize the sounds of Japanese syllables including some voiceless
vowels after voiceless consonants, silent syllabic consonant (double
consonant), etc. 
   B. Comprehend simple sentences and other covered materials and
comprehend commands frequently used in the classroom.

III. Speak basic Japanese.
   A. Pronounce each syllable in the same length without stress,
especially vowels in sequence and long vowels, and also be able to
pronounce some sounds that are not in English (such as r, tsu at the
beginning of a word, double consonant and others).  [Students’ oral
production will consist primarily of isolated words and short  sentences
of learned material.]
   B. Produce lists of learned vocabulary related to  greetings, school,
hobbies, sports, telling time, food, numbers, weather, seasons, family,
travel, modes of transportation, etc.
   C. Use both the present and the past tense. [The speech level is
limited to polite speech in which verb forms end with -masu and -desu.]

IV. Demonstrate understanding and appreciation of fundamentals of Japanese
culture.
   A. Explain the groupism and the hierarchical relationship between the
speakers in Japanese society and that they are reflected in many aspects
of the Japanese language, in particular in speech level, greetings, the
form of addressing people, the use of honoric (prefix o-), giving and
receiving verbs, etc.
   B. Explain why indirect expressions are considered more polite and 
preferred in Japanese language, especially when expressing one’s desire,
ability, preferences or requests.
   C. Contrast the differences between men’s speech and women’s speech.

V. Students will demonstrate (orally and in writing) basic mastery of
Japanese grammar.
   A. Conjugate Masu verbs, Copula, Desu and polite form of adjectives
(present,  negative present, past, and negative past tense form and OO
form).
   B. Identify adjective (I-adjective) and adjectival noun
(Na-adjective).
   C. Use relationals (particles): e (direction), o (object), wa (topic,
in negative, contrast), ga (subject), de (location of action), ni
(location of state and indirect object), no (modification of noun), mo
(also, either), to (and, or with), ka (or), ya (and, so on), kara (from)
and kedo (but) and also multiple relationals such as e wa, de mo, etc.
   D. Use imasu and arimasu correctly.

Methods of Evaluation of Competencies:

Evaluation of student mastery of course competencies will be accomplished using the following methods:

Tests (major exams, daily quizzes and the final exam) 65% of grade
Class participation:                                  15% of grade
Written assignments:                                  20% of grade
                                                     100%
Grade Criteria:
90 - 100 = A
80 -  89 - B
70 -  79 = C
60 -  69 = D
 0 -  59 = F

Caveats: NONE

Disabilities:

If you are a student with a disability, and if you will be requesting accommodations, it is your responsibility to contact Access Services. Access Services will recommend any appropriate accommodations to your professor and his/her director. The professor and director will identify for you which accommodations will be arranged.

JCCC provides a range of services to allow persons with disabilities to participate in educational programs and activities. If you desire support services, contact the office of Access Services for Students With Disabilities (913) 469-8500, ext. 3521 or TDD (913) 469-3885. The Access Services office is located in the Success Center on the second floor of the Student Center.