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IGETC Foreign Language (required for UC only)

Satisfies Global Citizenship

This course, using a communicative approach, introduces the student to Japanese sentence structure, basic vocabulary, and the two Japanese phonetic scripts of Hiragana, Katakana, plus a selected number of Kanji. Students learn to ask and answer basic questions and write about simple actions in the present/future and past tenses. They also are introduced to important elements of Japanese culture and customs of the Japanese people. This course is taught in Japanese unless in cases of linguistic difficulty as determined by the professor.

IGETC AREA 3B (Humanities), Foreign Language (required for UC only)

Satisfies Global Citizenship

• Advisory: JAPAN 1*.

This course is the continuation of Japanese 1. This course stresses more advanced vocabulary and more advanced sentence structures emphasizing short forms and te-forms. Students further develop oral and aural skills and reading comprehension skills by reading texts on various topics. They also hold conversations in both formal and informal styles of speech, and write compositions using short forms. This course also advances students’ knowledge of Japanese culture and traditions. This course is taught in Japanese except in cases of linguistic difficulty as determined by the professor.

*The advisory for this course is comparable to two years of high school Japanese.

IGETC AREA 3B (Humanities)

Satisfies Global Citizenship

• Advisory: JAPAN 2*.

Focusing on four communication skills (listening, speaking, reading and writing), the course builds up a solid foundation for the Intermediate-Low Japanese, to achieve a practical command of language for managing everyday social interactions and routine tasks. The course also familiarizes students of different registers (spoken vs. written) and writing styles (“desu/masu” vs. essay). Reading materials include semi-authentic articles on specific topics and writing focuses on styles as well as multiple paragraph organization. Traditional and current aspects of the Japanese culture are explored throughout the course and studied in reading. This course is taught in Japanese unless in cases of linguistic difficulty as determined by the professor.

*The advisoryfor this course is comparable to three years of high school Japanese.

IGETC AREA 3B (Humanities)

Satisfies Global Citizenship

• Advisory: JAPAN 3*.

The course builds up a solid foundation for the intermediate-High Japanese and further develops proficiency to be able to manage relatively complex situations. The course also introduces honorific languages, in addition to colloquial informal register. The socially and culturally appropriate use of the language is exercised in a broader range of social contexts. Reading and writing put an extra emphasis on accuracy and pragmatic components as well as fluency. This course is taught in Japanese except in cases of linguistic difficulty as determined by the instructor.

*The advisory for this course is comparable to four years of high school Japanese.

• Prerequisite: JAPAN 2.

This course provides the student with an opportunity to increase fluency in spoken Japanese with an emphasis on natural, colloquial usage. This course is taught in Japanese except in cases of linguistic difficulty as determined by the professor.

IGETC AREA 3B (Humanities)

Satisfies Global Citizenship

This course explores Japanese culture and civilization. Employing an interdisciplinary perspective, the course examines the fundamentals of Japanese culture and tradition including Japanese philosophy, religions, art forms, literature, cuisine, and language. The course will be taught in English. No knowledge of Japanese is required.

• Corequisite: Any course in Japanese.

This course — taken in tandem with another course in the discipline — enables a student to apply course content in a meaningful and relevant way to a particular activity. In this hands-on course, students engage in applied learning through unpaid experiential activities organized by the student (in conjunction with SMC’s applied/service learning center) and approved by the instructor. Students will develop a customized reading list relevant to their particular activity, complete a minimum of 15 hours of volunteer work with that activity, and submit academically-sound written reports regarding the activity. By applying course material to their experience, students develop a deeper understanding of the discipline.