Japanese

This course provides training in reading modern Japanese literature works, thereby increasing knowledge of Japanese literature and reading comprehension skills. The course discusses an overview of Japanese literature by genre, following the history of Japanese literature. 

This course covers Chinese pronunciation, greetings, and simple daily conversation through blended learning, which combines on-demand and face-to-face classes.

By the end of this course, students are expected to: 

• Acquire Chinese pronunciation, introductory-level vocabulary and grammar.
• Participate in simple daily conversations such as greetings and self-introduction.
• Foster interest in Chinese society and culture.

This course aims to help students learn Japanese for academic purposes through various familiar topics about society and culture. The target level is CEFR B1.2.

The course provides opportunities to complete various tasks using Japanese, enabling students to acquire the language skills necessary to perform the tasks and also increase their knowledge of Japanese vocabulary, grammar patterns, expressions and kanji. The final requirement of the course is a project presentation, where students present the results of their research on a particular topic. This course aims to enhance students’ Japanese proficiency and their ability to comprehend and engage deeply with the content. 

This course includes an elective component "Expand your World in Japanese." 

This course covers basic grammar and vocabulary needed for everyday life and attending university classes in Japan, learning reading and writing skills.

Eligibility: A2.1 level in the CEFR/JF Standard for Japanese-Language Education (N4 in the JLPT). 

Learning Objectives: A2.2 level in the CEFR/JF Standard for Japanese-Language Education Review. The expressions/sentence structures learned at the basic level (A1-A2.1); learn new expressions/sentence structures, and when, where, and how to use them, to achieve the below goals:  

・ Comprehend texts on every day, specific, familiar topics (reading). 

・ Writing concise texts about events, past activities, and personal experiences using simple conjunctions to connect ideas (soshite, shikashi, nazenara, etc.) (writing). 

Through collaborative learning between Japanese and foreign students, this course provides unique aspects of Japanese language and culture from contrastive views. By actively participating in discussions with students from diverse cultural backgrounds, one will deepen their understanding of Japanese language and culture, developing an appreciation of other cultures. In this class, students  will plan and carry out student-led seminars on the theme of how Japanese culture is reflected in the language.

Eligibility A2.2 level in the CEFR/JF Standard for Japanese-Language Education (N3 in the JLPT) 

Learning Objectives 

1. Through collaborative learning between foreign exchange students and Japanese students, enhance one's cross-cultural communication skills, explanatory skills and team building skills.  

2. By discussing some unusual aspects of Japanese language and culture from a contrastive point of view, deepen one's understanding of how Japan’s culture is reflected in its language and develop an appreciation of cultural diversity. 

3. By planning and actively participating in student-led seminars, gain collaborative skills through peer learning. 

Through this physical activity course, students learn about Aikido from the martial arts perspective. The course instructs on mastering basic Aikido techniques while providing insight into Japanese traditional culture and way of thinking. 

Students will learn kanji and vocabulary necessary to read and write texts such as reports and academic articles by doing practical exercises. 

Eligibility: A2.2 level in the CEFR/JF Standard for Japanese-Language Education (N3 in the JLPT). 

Learning Objectives: 

・ Acquire a wide vocabulary and read texts containing frequently used common expressions.

・ Read specialized articles outside of one's own field using a dictionary.

・ Write messages explaining questions or problems.

・ Use appropriate kanji in e-mail, reports, and presentations.

This course discusses politics, society, and culture through the history of the United States, focusing on the socially vulnerable in US. history. The course aims to see the United States from a broader perspective as well as multiple angles.

The course covers basic grammar and vocabulary needed for everyday life and attending university classes in Japan, learning listening and writing skills. 

Eligibility: A2.1 level in the CEFR/JF Standard for Japanese-Language Education (N4 in the JLPT). 

Learning Objectives: A2.2 level in the CEFR/JF Standard for Japanese-Language Education. Review the expressions/sentence structures learned at the basic level (A1-A2.1); learn new expressions/sentence structures, and when, where, and how to use them, to achieve the below goals:  

・ Comprehend concise conversations and monologues about familiar topics in everyday and classroom situations (listening). 

・ If one prepares in advance, they can enumerate events; briefly describe them; tell stories, and express their thoughts and feelings (spoken production). 

・ Interact with other people with little difficulty within everyday situations (spoken interaction). 

Literary analyses and attempts for various interpretations of English literary works undoubtedly enrich students' general skills in English; their insight into texts, and understanding of some important cultural topics that well reflect the characteristics of human societies. This course aims to foster students' abilities of these through close reading of English literary works of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. This session focuses on Emily Bronte's masterpiece, "Wuthering Heights", and examines the narrative, style, and author's messages from many points of view.