Japanese
Laurel Brook, Tomson 368
507-786-3383
brookl@stolaf.edu
wp.stolaf.edu/asian-studies wp.stolaf.edu/japanese
(Offered within the Department of Asian Studies)
Learning Japanese introduces you to a dynamic nation of 120 million people at the hub of technological innovation, trade, and diplomatic relations in the world’s fastest-growing market: the Pacific Rim. It introduces you to a modern country that has maintained a distinct cultural identity; to a society that still emphasizes the individual’s responsibilities to family and group; and to an economy with distinctive solutions to problems of productivity, management, and motivation in the work place. It introduces you to the earliest non-Western nation to become a modern world power. St. Olaf teaches four full years of Japanese language and sends language students to three different campuses in Japan.
The Japanese Major
To fulfill a Japanese major, students will demonstrate both linguistic and cultural competence. For linguistic and language skills, Japanese majors will possess proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing at the American Council of Teaching Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Intermediate-High level as well as metalinguistic and intercultural awareness of the use of Japanese language in different social milieus.
Additionally, students will be able to analyze, interpret, and critique various discourses and cultural productions from and about Japan through their liberal arts studies, which may include literature, art, history, religion, philosophy, and/or politics.
Special Programs
Study programs in Japan are available at Waseda University in Tokyo through the ACM, Nagoya University in Nagoya, and Hokusei Gakuen University in Sapporo.
The Japanese major consists of nine courses.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Requirements | ||
| Core Language Courses 1 | ||
| JAPAN 231 | Intermediate Japanese I | 1.00 |
| JAPAN 232 | Intermediate Japanese II | 1.00 |
| JAPAN 301 | Advanced Japanese I | 1.00 |
| JAPAN 302 | Advanced Japanese II | 1.00 |
| One Language Course Above JAPAN 302 2 | 1.00 | |
| Four courses, taught in English, focused on Japan/Japanese language and culture 3 | 4.00 | |
One course must be transnational/regional/global/comparative | ||
Minimum of one course at the 300-level | ||
| Recommended | ||
| FLAC course(s), study abroad, internships, or other immersion experiences in Japan. | ||
| Total Credits | 9 | |
| 1 | If a student places in a Japanese language course above JAPAN 231 Intermediate Japanese I (e.g., JAPAN 232 Intermediate Japanese II or JAPAN 301 Advanced Japanese I), the student will fulfill the total 9 credits requirement by taking additional upper-level language courses (above JAPAN 302) and/or courses in English that focus on Japan/Japanese language and culture. If a student begins language study in JAPAN 111 Beginning Japanese I or JAPAN 112 Beginning Japanese II, the student can fulfill the total 9 credits requirement by counting JAPAN 111 and/or JAPAN 112 toward the major and completing one or two fewer courses in English. |
| 2 | The following courses currently fulfill this requirement: JAPAN 320 Special Topics in Japanese or the equivalent of a fourth-year-level course taken during the partnered study abroad programs in Japan and/or other approved study abroad language programs. |
| 3 | At least one course must examine transnationalism/regionalism/global perspectives or compare Japan/Japanese with other countries/cultures through specific disciplines (e.g. art, religion, literature, history, philosophy, economics, and political science). At least one of these four courses must be 300-level, and no more than one at 100-level. One of these courses can be an Independent Study (Capstone project) or the Asian Studies senior seminars (ASIAN 397 or ASIAN 399). The Asian Conversation sequence (ASIAN 210, ASIAN 215 or ASIAN 216, ASIAN 220) will count for no more than two courses. |
For information about the Japan studies concentration and the Asian studies major, see Asian Studies.
JAPAN 111: Beginning Japanese I
This course is an introduction to speaking, reading, and writing Japanese; writing includes the learning of all syllabic letters (Hiragana and Katakana) and basic Kanji (Chinese characters). Class meets four times weekly. Individual language laboratory visits are also required. Offered annually in the fall semester. Does not count toward Japanese major.
JAPAN 112: Beginning Japanese II
This course is an introduction to speaking, reading, and writing Japanese; writing includes the learning of all syllabic letters (Hiragana and Katakana) and basic Kanji (Chinese characters). Class meets four times weekly. Individual language laboratory visits are also required. Offered annually in the spring semester. Does not count toward Japanese major.
Prerequisite: JAPAN 111 or equivalent.
JAPAN 231: Intermediate Japanese I
Students continue to develop the listening, speaking, reading and writing skills that enable them to deal not only with topics of daily life, but also cultural themes and authentic materials. Class meets four times weekly. Individual language laboratory visits are also required. Offered annually in the fall semester. Also counts toward Asian studies major and concentration.
Prerequisite: JAPAN 112 or equivalent.
JAPAN 232: Intermediate Japanese II
Students continue to develop the listening, speaking, reading and writing skills that enable them to deal not only with topics of daily life, but also cultural themes and authentic materials. Class meets four times weekly. Individual language laboratory visits are also required. Offered annually in the spring semester. Also counts toward Asian studies major and Asian studies and management studies concentrations.
Prerequisite: JAPAN 231 or equivalent.
JAPAN 294: Academic Internship
JAPAN 298: Independent Study
JAPAN 301: Advanced Japanese I
This third-year-level course aims to increase the knowledge of Japanese people, language, and society by comparing with students' own cultures in their target language. Various authentic "texts" (images, video clips, written texts, etc.) support student learning. Offered annually in the fall semester. Also counts toward Asian studies major and Asian studies and management studies concentrations.
Prerequisite: JAPAN 232 or equivalent.
JAPAN 302: Advanced Japanese II
This course builds on Japanese 301 and aims to increase the knowledge of Japanese people, language, and society by comparing with students' own cultures in their target language. Authentic "texts" (images, video clips, written texts, etc.) support student learning. Offered annually in the spring semester. Also counts toward Asian studies major and Asian studies and management studies concentrations.
Prerequisite: JAPAN 301 or equivalent.
JAPAN 320: Special Topics in Japanese
In this fourth-year-level Japanese course, students explore a specified topic or theme in language, in various text/media (literature, newspaper, manga, and films), in culture/civilization, or in a combination of these, through close examination of texts (written or visual), discussion, analysis, and interpretation of selected materials. Sample topics include" Best Sellers and Film Adaptations" and "Haiku and the Concept of Nature." May be repeated if topic is different. Taught in Japanese. Also counts toward Asian studies major and concentration.
Prerequisite: JAPAN 302 or equivalent.
JAPAN 394: Academic Internship
JAPAN 398: Independent Research
Courses Focused on Japan/Japanese
ART 260 The Arts of Japan
ASIAN 126 Language in Japanese Society
ASIAN 230 The Philosophy of Anime
ASIAN 235 Modern Japanese Literature (in English translation)
AS/ES 277 Environmental Sustainability in Japan (abroad)
HIST 252 Japanese Civilization
HIST 253 Modern Japan
Courses Focused on Japan/Japanese with Cross-Cultural/Regional/Global Comparative Perspectives
ASIAN 121 Asian Cultures in Comparative Perspectives
ASIAN 123 Asia in America
ASIAN 200 Topics in Asian Studies
ASCON 210 Asian Conversations I
ASCON 215 Asian Conversations II (abroad)
ASCON 216 Asian Conversations II (on campus)
ASCON 220 Asian Conversations III
ASIAN 268 The Art of Calligraphy: Techniques and Appreciation
ASIAN 282 Second Language Acquisition and Pedagogy in an Asian Context
ASIAN 300 Topics in Asian Studies
ASIAN 310 Buddhism through Text and Image
ASIAN 333 What is a Hero?
ASIAN 397 Seminar: Human Rights/Asian Context
ASIAN 399 Seminar for Asian Studies Majors
AS/PS 255 Politics in Asia
AS/RE 256 Religions of China and Japan
AS/RE 257 Buddhism
AS/RE 289 Buddhism, Peace and Justice
HIST 240 Major Seminar: Histories of Africa, Asia, and Latin America (depending on content and instructor)
HIST 345 East Asia Seminar
PHIL 117 Confucius, Buddha, and Socrates
PHIL 127 Zen and the Art of Judo
PHIL 249 Asian Philosophy
PSCI 245 Asian Regionalism