Hitotsubashi University

In this class we read, in English translation, the works of two of the most prominent, internationally-acclaimed contemporary Japanese authors: Yoko Tawada and Haruki Murakami. The first half of the semester is spent reading the award-winning English translation of Yoko Tawada's novella, The Emissary. Tawada's work presents, with a touch of humor as well as pathos, a dystopian vision of Japan in the near future, in which the country is damaged almost beyond repair as a result of large-scale nuclear contamination, its people and language evolving in unexpected directions. The class then reads Jay Rubin's translations of Haruki Murakami's short stories, likely starting with "On Seeing the 100% Perfect Girl One Beautiful Morning". Each text is discussed with a focus on rhetorical play and cultural representation, with occasional reference to the Japanese texts. Proficiency in Japanese is not required, but those studying the language are highly encouraged to read the original texts, either in advance or during the semester. English-Japanese dictionaries will come extremely handy for anyone.

Listening and speaking skills using basic grammar and intermediate level are taught. Intermediate Japanese 1B is a course for those who have accomplished a primary course and are aiming for higher writing and reading skills. Students learn kanji of middle level, and read more sentences as well. Assessment: final presentation (30%), midterm presentation (25%), mini presentation (20%), homework (10%), attendance (5%).

This course is for students who have learned the Japanese language for 150 hours at a university and mastered hiragana, katakana, and approximately 150 kanji and the 1st half of basic grammar. The emphasis of this course is to provide basic skills for conversation, reading and writing necessary for daily student life in Japan. At the completion of this course, students should have acquired the second half of basic grammar and vocabulary. Students should also be able to read simple texts in Japanese. It includes the second half of basic grammar, vocabulary, and 172 kanji (in addition to 145 kanji at the level of first half of basic) as well as be able to read and write about 170 kanji. Teaching is done in Japanese whenever possible, starting from the first day. Class will be conducted based on various activities.

This course is for students who have learned Japanese for 300 hours at a university and mastered basic level vocabulary, grammar, and approximately 300 kanji. The purpose is to learn lower intermediate level (equivalent to Japanese Proficiency Test Level 3) vocabulary, grammar and kanji, and to become able to communicate in Japanese in a variety of situations. Assessment: Homework (20%), exams (50%), participation (30%).

This course advances reading and analysis skills of various kind of college-level materials. Through reading materials thoroughly, vocabulary is expanded while learning new phrases, expressions and advanced grammar patters. In order to better understand what they read, students practice to summarize a paragraph through finding key words and the main idea of the paragraph, then discuss it with peer students Critical thinking is fostered as students learn to relate, analyze and evaluate of each reading material. Assessment: attendance and participation (60%), quizzes (40%).

This course offers an overview of film and visual culture in Japan by discussing a wide range of topics, including film studios and stars, queer authorship and spectatorship, new wave and technology, as well as representation of sexual minorities. The course examines the history and theory surrounding these topics, to facilitate thinking about how images play an important role in both reflecting and understanding contemporary cultural, political, and social issues. With a particular focus on gender, sexuality, nationality, and labor, the course presents ways to closely analyze films in terms of content, style, and form.

This course trains for advanced reading skills, including grammar and vocabulary, needed to understand academic texts in the social science field. In addition, the courses trains to understand the material based on the difficulty and purpose of the text.

This seminar examines short stories by contemporary Japanese women writers in English translation. The objective is to learn how to interpret literary images and rhetorical expressions, evaluate and appreciate the texts' aesthetic, cultural, and social values. By reading these stories we will also learn to look at the problems Japanese society and culture from women's/feminist perspective. Assessment: attendance, class participation, presentations, essay.

This course is, as the name suggests, an omnibus lecture aimed at introduction to Humanity subjects focusing on humanities and war in the 18th century and after. While following the history of the wars and society since the 18 century, student will have a chance to think a little seriously about how the wars and similar conflicts between nations gave impacts to the whole society and culture. Assessment: final exam, attendance.