Japanese (JAPN)

JAPN 1  Elementary Japanese

4 Units (Degree Applicable, CSU, UC)
Lecture: 72   

Elementary course for students without prior exposure to Japanese. Includes the study of essentials of pronunciation, vocabulary, idioms, and grammatical structures and an introduction to Japanese culture.

Course Schedule

JAPN 2  Continuing Elementary Japanese

4 Units (Degree Applicable, CSU, UC)
Lecture: 72   
Prerequisite: JAPN 1 or two years of high school Japanese

Further development of elementary skills in Japanese including conversational, reading, and writing skills with special emphasis on verbs, grammar, and extension of vocabulary. Includes a discussion of Japanese culture.

Course Schedule

JAPN 3  Intermediate Japanese

4 Units (Degree Applicable, CSU, UC)
(May be taken for option of letter grade or Pass/No Pass)
Lecture: 72   
Prerequisite: JAPN 2

Continued development of writing ability emphasizing development of thought through Kanji, Hiragana, and Katakana. Additional development of cultural application of Japanese.

Course Schedule

JAPN 4  Continuing Intermediate Japanese

4 Units (Degree Applicable, CSU, UC)
Lecture: 72   
Prerequisite: JAPN 3

Continuing intermediate study and review of grammar and vocabulary. Readings and discussions of Japanese cultural topics and introduction to Japanese literature.

Course Schedule

JAPN 5  Advanced Japanese

4 Units (Degree Applicable, CSU, UC)
Lecture: 72   
Prerequisite: JAPN 4 or equivalent

Japanese communication skills with emphasis on conversational skills for daily and social settings in Japanese culture. Advanced study of grammar, vocabulary, Kanji characters, listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Extensive exposure to cultural elements from Japan such as art, music, film, and history.

Course Schedule

JAPN 50  The Art of Kanji

3 Units (Degree Applicable, CSU)
(May be taken for option of letter grade or Pass/No Pass)
Lecture: 54   
Prerequisite: JAPN 1

Designed to improve the reading, writing, listening, and understanding of Kanji for intermediate-level Japanese. Students will practice and learn 500 basic Kanji as components of more complex Kanji. The history of Kanji is discussed and elements of calligraphy are introduced. The course is intended for students with no or little prior knowledge of Chinese characters.

Course Schedule

JAPN 53  Conversational Japanese

3 Units (Degree Applicable, CSU, UC)
(May be taken for option of letter grade or Pass/No Pass)
Lecture: 54   
Prerequisite: JAPN 2 or equivalent

Development of intermediate Japanese conversational skills. Emphasis on collaborative activities and practical use of the language. Extensive exposure to Japanese culture. Grammar is presented in context.

Course Schedule

JAPN 62  Japanese Culture Through Anime and Manga

3 Units (Degree Applicable, CSU, UC)
Lecture: 54   

The focus of this course is to examine, analyze, and discuss selected themes of Japanese culture and society through the investigation of Japanese animation (anime) as well as printed cartoons and graphic novels (manga). Students will be exposed to works of various key anime and manga artists. They will explore how these works reflect and influence Japanese culture from historical, spiritual, and global angles. Classes are conducted in English.

Course Schedule