JAPN 301: Advanced Japanese Language Culture & Communication (Fall 2013)
Course Description:
This course further continues development of advanced proficiency in interpersonal, interpretive and presentational modes of communication in speaking, listening, reading and writing. Students develop communication strategies and cultural knowledge through content-based instruction. Taught in Japanese.
This course further continues development of advanced proficiency in interpersonal, interpretive and presentational modes of communication in speaking, listening, reading and writing. Students develop communication strategies and cultural knowledge through content-based instruction. Taught in Japanese.
Reflective Narrative:
This course contributed to my fulfillment of MLO 1 in terms of communication and presentational skills, and overall knowledge of the language and culture. The main resource we used in this course was the textbook Door to Advanced Japanese (上級へのとびら). For each chapter, we studied a certain aspect of Japanese language and culture. For example, we discussed food culture and customs in Japan, history of Samurai, religion, and so forth. We also studied different aspects of the language, such as formal and informal speech, and katakanago(loan words), which was the topic for my midterm presentation. For every chapter, we were assessed on our ability to comprehend the content by answering “Content Questions”, and also on our ability to read and write the Kanji that appeared in the chapter. These exercises helped to keep my language ability up, as well as enhanced my communication skills by challenging me to discuss my opinion on the “Content Questions” of each chapter.
Another important aspect of this class was the many presentations we created. Aside from the presentation about katakanago, I also created a few other presentations based on cultural topics taken from the textbook. For my final presentation, I chose to talk about the influence of Westernization on Japanese culture during the Meiji Era, in regards to education, communication, food, and fashion. Through this process I was able to not only work on my presentational Japanese, but also gain a greater knowledge on the culture by researching about my chosen topic.
This course contributed to my fulfillment of MLO 1 in terms of communication and presentational skills, and overall knowledge of the language and culture. The main resource we used in this course was the textbook Door to Advanced Japanese (上級へのとびら). For each chapter, we studied a certain aspect of Japanese language and culture. For example, we discussed food culture and customs in Japan, history of Samurai, religion, and so forth. We also studied different aspects of the language, such as formal and informal speech, and katakanago(loan words), which was the topic for my midterm presentation. For every chapter, we were assessed on our ability to comprehend the content by answering “Content Questions”, and also on our ability to read and write the Kanji that appeared in the chapter. These exercises helped to keep my language ability up, as well as enhanced my communication skills by challenging me to discuss my opinion on the “Content Questions” of each chapter.
Another important aspect of this class was the many presentations we created. Aside from the presentation about katakanago, I also created a few other presentations based on cultural topics taken from the textbook. For my final presentation, I chose to talk about the influence of Westernization on Japanese culture during the Meiji Era, in regards to education, communication, food, and fashion. Through this process I was able to not only work on my presentational Japanese, but also gain a greater knowledge on the culture by researching about my chosen topic.