Japanese*

Department of Linguistics
College of Arts and Sciences
609 Baldy Hall
North Campus
Buffalo, NY 14260-1030
(716) 645-2177
Fax: (716) 645-3825
Web: Linguistics
Robert D. VanValin, Jr., Chair
Mitsuaki Shimojo, Director of Japanese Program
E-mail: shimojo@acsu.buffalo.edu

*This area of study is available as a special major through the College of Arts and Sciences. It is not a separately registered degree program. Refer to the Special Majors section in this catalog for more information. For information on the minor, contact the department.

Introduction
The Japanese language is spoken by the entire population of Japan, about 125 million, and in terms of the number of native speakers, it is ranked sixth among the languages of the world. Japanese uses Chinese characters (Kanji) in combination with two forms of phonetic syllabic script (Hiragana and Katakana).

The Program
The Japanese curriculum provides a solid foundation for an understanding and appreciation of the rich and diverse culture of Japan. The language, culture, linguistics, and pedagogy courses offered are useful to students who aspire to an East Asia-related academic or professional career in education, government, communications, business and other fields in the United States and abroad.

The curriculum of the Japanese program includes:

• Courses designed to develop or improve competence in written and spoken Japanese through the advanced level


• Courses on Japanese culture


• Courses on Japanese linguistics and pedagogy


• Courses that deal with Japanese business culture and vocabulary

The Japanese language program offers four years of classroom instruction, as well as an advanced-level fourth year of independent study options. The first three years of instruction are characterized by an effective team-teaching approach that enables students to benefit from the experience and expertise of several instructors. Optional tutoring is provided as part of the program.

The program combines language learning with cultural and linguistic studies. The program also offers a minor. Students interested in a career that combines Japanese and another field may choose a special major in Japanese, and students interested in studies which combine different East Asian languages, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean, may choose a special major in East Asian languages and cultures. A special major can be arranged in consultation with the program coordinator and the undergraduate advising office. Students interested in Japanese linguistics may want to pursue a B.A. in language and linguistics with a concentration in Japanese. For more information, contact the program advisor, Professor Mitsuaki Shimojo, in the Department of Linguistics, (716) 645-2177. Serious students are strongly encouraged to take Japan-related courses across the university curriculum and to study in Japan for a summer, or a full academic year.

For study abroad options, see the Study Abroad section on page 260 or contact the Study Abroad Programs Office at (716) 645-3912.

Career Opportunities
The courses offered in the Japanese program give students the opportunity to develop advanced skills in a strategic Asian language and to study the people and culture of Japan. Many students opt to combine a minor in Japanese with a major in the social sciences, engineering, the humanities, the sciences or management.

Students majoring in business administration, geography, international business and world trade, and the interdisciplinary social sciences programs in international studies and Asian studies would find their bachelor's degrees complemented by the study of the Japanese language.

Special Programs and Opportunities
Of interest to students enrolled in Japanese language courses is the Asian studies program. The university offers a special major in Asian studies and a minor in East Asian studies, administered by the Asian studies program through the interdisciplinary degree programs in the social sciences. For information, contact Dr. Thomas Burkman, director, 714 Clemens Hall, (716) 645-3474, e-mail: burkman@acsu.buffalo.edu.

Japanese (JPN)

Note: Not all courses are offered every semester. Interested students should obtain a list of current offerings with descriptions from the department office or at the department's webpage at Linguistics prior to registration each semester.

101-102 First-Year Japanese (5-5)
JPN101 prerequisite: none
JPN102 prerequisite: JPN101 or permission of program director
Basic language skills in speaking, reading, writing, and listening. All classes are team-taught. Not open to native speakers. LEC/REC

201-202 Second-Year Japanese (4-4)
JPN201 prerequisite: JPN102 or permission of program director
JPN202 prerequisite: JPN201
Sequel to JPN102. Development of four-skills proficiency; expansion of knowledge of grammar. LEC/REC

211 Introduction to Japan (3)
Introduces Japanese culture and society. Taught in English. LEC

301-302 Third-Year Japanese (4-4)
JPN301 prerequisite: JPN202 or permission of program director
JPN302 prerequisite: JPN301
Further development of four-skills proficiency; reinforcement and expansion of grammar and communication skills. LEC

371-372 Business Japanese (4-4)
JPN371 prerequisite: JPN202 or permission of program director
JPN372 prerequisite: JPN371 or permission of program director
Readings and conversations based on Japanese business culture. Cultural aspects of business and strategies for business conversation are introduced. LEC

401-402 Fourth-Year Japanese (3-3)
JPN401 prerequisite: JPN302 or permission of program director
JPN402 prerequisite: JPN401 or permission of program director
Sequel to JPN302. Further development of four-skills proficiency; further reinforcement and expansion of communication skills through discussion and readings on Japanese culture and society. SEM

411 Introduction to Japanese Linguistics (3)
Introduces major areas of linguistic description of Japanese and the functions of the language in relation to social structures and interpersonal relationships. Taught in English. LEC

451 Teaching Japanese as a Foreign Language (3)
Prerequisite: four years of Japanese language study or permission of instructor
Introduces curricula, instructional materials, methods, classroom techniques, and evaluation strategies associated with the teaching of Japanese as a foreign language. Students acquire practical experience through participation in teaching demonstrations and class observation. SEM

499 Independent Study (1-8)
Prerequisite: permission of instructor
Designed for advanced students of Japanese. TUT

Japanese - Minor

Acceptance Criteria
Minimum grade of "C" in JPN101-102

Requirements
Business Japanese track: JPN201-202 and JPN371-372
Japanese language track: JPN201-202 and JPN301-302
Japanese linguistics track: JPN201-202, JPN301, JPN411
Japanese studies track: JPN201-202, JPN211, JPN301, one upper-division Japan-related course selected from such courses as APY362, HIS368, or PHI354

Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5 in the minor courses with no grade in a Japanese language course lower than "C."

Academic Affairs

Phone: (716) 645-6003

Fax: (716) 645-2549

Last updated: Thursday, 09-Dec-2004 15:21:18 EST