Japanese

This course explores the meanings of encountering “the Other” by reviewing existing theories and research in intercultural communication. It also examines how encountering someone/something "foreign" builds, shapes, and transforms relationships and communication in our everyday life. Each student should ponder what kind of relationship he/she would like to make in this globalized society that we experience every day. In order to stimulate classroom discussion and promote student-centered active learning, we adopt some innovative instructional methodologies and strategies (e.g., collaborative learning and writing, group presentation, flip teaching, etc.).

<Level IV>
Target Students: Those who have completed and mastered elementary level studies.
Course Goals: To develop understanding and command of the 100 important intermediate sentence patterns for further improvement of the four skills of reading, listening, speaking, and writing. To master the 4,000 basic words and 800 basic Chinese characters.
<Reading Comprehension B>
Goal: To understand slightly complex passages and sentence structures.
Contents: Reading of simple stories, essays and poetry.

Target Students: Those who have partially completed elementary level studies.

Course Goals: To master the grammatical expressions learnt at the elementary level, as well as to develop understanding and command of upper elementary and intermediate level grammar and to improve the four skills of reading, listening, speaking and writing. To master the 2,000 basic words and 500 basic Chinese characters.

Contents: Mastering the elementary level grammar and developing understanding and command of grammar using an upper elementary level textbook, followed by introduction of basic sentence patterns of the intermediate level using an intermediate level textbook. Improving the four skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing through various class activities designed for developing each skill. Mastering the 2,000 basic words and 500 basic Chinese characters.

This course is designed for students who have completed intermediate-level Japanese language courses or the equivalent. Upon completion of the course, students are expected to compose sentences using more advanced grammar patterns.

This course is designed for students who have some experience learning Japanese. The course aims to enhance listening and speaking skills through teaching and practice of vocabulary and expressions needed for everyday conversation. 

This course is designed for pre-advanced students to explore sentence structures, vocabulary, and kanji via newspaper articles and a textbook. After reading articles, students discuss topics related to the text and write an essay which is revised numerous times as to grasp the Japanese style of essay-writing. Students explicate the articles read in class, dissecting various grammar-points and creating example sentences and sharing them with the class. The various topics covered in the textbook provides students means to expand their Japanese abilities and enables them to think critically about such topics with newfound abilities. 

This course is designed for students learning Japanese for the first time. The course focuses on the acquisition of grammar and sentence patterns based on the textbook Elementary Japanese for Academic Purposes Vol.1 (Lesson 1 to 6). Students must understand hiragana before taking this course.

This course is designed for students learning Japanese for the first time. The course focuses on the acquisition of grammar and sentence patterns based on the textbook Elementary Japanese for Academic Purposes Vol.1 (Lesson 1 to 6). Students must understand hiragana before taking this course.

This course deals with the basics of mathematical finance. The goals are to understand Option Trading and Portfolio Theory.

Prerequisite: Calculus I, II, Linear Algebra I, II, Sets and Topology I, and Probability Theory.

In this class, two instructors, Paie and Takagishi, will teach "Japanese culture" in an omnibus format.　
　
Paie’s classes introduce Shinto and Zen Buddhism, the foundation of the Japanese way of thinking and spirituality. The course provides an overview of Shinto; its origin; relationship with Japanese lifestyle, and tradition of festivals. In addition, the course makes the connection between Shinto and martial arts, introducing Sumo and Aikido as Shinto martial arts. Furthermore, the course provides an overview of Japanese Zen Buddhism – the culture, the history and thought of Zen words and Zen paintings. Students will have a zazen experience with a priest from Rinzai and learn the characteristics of Japanese culture through these experiences.　

Takagishi's classes focus on the themes, "Japanese culture around me," "pop culture," and "language." The life of the founder of Doshisha, Jo Nijima, is traced through the themes, “Japanese culture around me,” “Kyoto festivals and events,” “Japanese kimono and culture,” and the “founding spirit of Doshisha.” "Pop Culture" deals with "Japanese Manga and Anime" and "Japanese Popular Songs" traces the history of popular songs from the post-war era to the present. By studying the Kansai dialect and young people's language, which are used in the city and on campus as "languages," students will notice the differences from the standard language; learn about the mechanism by which young people's words are created, and the way of thinking of young people in Japan. Through the introduction to various aspects of Japanese culture previously mentioned, students will deepen their understanding of modern Japanese culture.