Courses
Japanese Studies
Japanese Studies Program Outcomes
- Describe cultural practices and language of Japan.
- Develop critical thinking and analytical skills by examining the linguistic behaviors of the Japanese language and exploring societal norms and issues presented in class texts.
- Demonstrate a basic knowledge of Japanese, including the four writing scripts (Hiragana, Katakana, Kanji, and Romaji), clear pronunciation of each character, good grasp of grammatical structures/functions, and different levels of formality valued in Japanese culture.
- Demonstrate knowledge in Japanese aesthetics, economies, geographies, governments, histories, religions, and science and technologies.
- Identify and describe the interconnectedness of all humanity through the study of Japan and Asia.
Courses in History
Course Description
This is a survey of the history of East Asia, c. 1800 to the present. The course begins with the mature states and societies of China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam at the end of the eighteenth century and finishes with a consideration of the post-Cold War era. We cover the dissolution of early modern states, encounters with global industrialization and imperialism, the rise of nation-states, social and cultural modernity, postwar/Cold War revolution and developmentalism, and late 20th century globalization. Some topics explored in the course: feminism, colonialism, imperialism, modernity, ideologies, war, cities. This course will encourage the logical development of argument, clear and precise diction, and a coherent prose style; the development of expository writing skills as they apply to history; and the responsible, appropriate, and effective use of sources and special or technical language.
Distribution Area
Arts and Humanities-or-Global Learning
Credits
1 course
Courses in Japanese Studies
Course Description
Introduction to the Japanese language with emphasis on development of proficiency in speaking, listening, reading, and writing. JAPN 151 is open only to beginners in Japanese or those with two years or less of high school Japanese.
Distribution Area
Intercultural Engagement Through Language Requirement
Credits
1 course
Course Description
A continuation of the study of JAPN 151. Open to students who have successfully completed Japanese I or who are placed into this level by test results.
Distribution Area
Intercultural Engagement Through Language Requirement
Prerequisites
JAPN 151 or qualifying score on the placement test.
Credits
1 course
Course Description
Further study of Japanese language and practice in speaking, listening, reading and writing.
Distribution Area
Intercultural Engagement Through Language Requirement
Prerequisites
JAPN 152 or qualifying score on the placement test.
Credits
1 course
Course Description
A continuation of JAPN 251.
Distribution Area
Intercultural Engagement Through Language Requirement
Prerequisites
JAPN 251 or qualifying score on the placement test.
Credits
1 course
Course Description
Readings and discussion of advanced Japanese materials. Exercise in speaking the language and in writing compositions.
Distribution Area
Intercultural Engagement Through Language Requirement
Prerequisites
JAPN 252 or qualifying score on the placement test.
Credits
1 course
Course Description
Further study of the Japanese language.
Distribution Area
Intercultural Engagement Through Language Requirement
Prerequisites
JAPN 252 or qualifying score on the placement test.
Credits
1 course
Course Description
Open to advanced students in Japanese. May be repeated for credit.
Distribution Area
Intercultural Engagement Through Language Requirement
Credits
0.5 - 1 course
Courses in Religious Studies
Course Description
A cross-cultural survey course of major religious traditions, with emphasis upon the theoretical and methodological issues at stake in the discipline of Religious Studies. The course provides a balanced treatment of Asian and Western/Abrahamic traditions in order to explore the concept of 'religion' within acomparative humanistic context. Most important will be a close reading and discussion of primary texts in English translation. By the end of the course students will have developed a vocabulary for understanding religious phenomena cross-culturally and a sensibility for engaging with religious others in our globalizing world.
Distribution Area
Arts and Humanities-or-Global Learning
Credits
1 course