Program in Japanese

NOTE: This page contains all of the regular course descriptions for this discipline or program. Academic credit for each course is noted in parenthesis after the course title. Prerequisites (if any) and the general education requirements, both Core and All-College Requirements (ACRs), which each course fulfills (if any) are noted following each course description. Not all courses are offered every year. Check Merlin, our searchable course schedule, to see which courses are being offered in upcoming terms.

JAPN 101 - First-Year Japanese I (4.00)

4.00 credit hours  produce about 60 kanji by the end of the course. Japanese cultural topics related to the use of the language are introduced. Taught in Japanese.

JAPN 102 - First-Year Japanese II (4.00)

Continued study of the basic structures of the modern Japanese language through aural-oral practice and drills. Emphasis on the development of utilization of grammar in conversational communication. Students are able to produce additional 90 kanji. Includes development of knowledge of Japanese cultural topics. Taught in Japanese.

Prerequisite(s): JAPN 101.

JAPN 201 - Second-Year Japanese I (4.00)

Emphasis on further development of listening and speaking skills, along with introduction of additional grammatical patterns required in specific contexts. Introduction of vocabulary and kanji is accelerated for developing oral proficiency as well as reading and writing skills. Taught in Japanese.

Prerequisite(s): JAPN 102.
Cardinal Directions Designation(s): Humanities.

JAPN 202 - Second-Year Japanese II (4.00)

Continued development of all four language skills (listening, speaking, reading and writing skills) based on an understanding of the actual use of the language in the Japanese sociocultural context. The introduction of basic grammar is completed by the end of this course. Continued acceleration of Introduction to vocabulary and kanji. Taught in Japanese.

Prerequisite(s): JAPN 201.
Cardinal Directions Designation(s): Social Science.

JAPN 240 - Japanese Culture and Society (4.00)

A study of the cultural and social structures that have historically defined Japanese civilization and continue to shape the contemporary Japanese experience with regard to areas such as family, education, ritual, art, politics and economics. Taught in English.

Cardinal Directions Designation(s): Social Science, Ethical Dimensions.
iCon(s): Being Human, Thinking Globally.

JAPN 293 - Japanese Enrichment (1.00-2.00)

Individual projects related to other courses that support the development of proficiencies in Japanese. Taught in Japanese.

JAPN 295 - Practicum (1.00-4.00)

Students assist faculty with pedagogical or other projects in Japanese. Activities vary according to the project needs and student background, but may include such work as the preparation of materials for language learning or assisting faculty through bibliographic research.

JAPN 297 - Internship (0.00-12.00)

JAPN 299 - Independent Study (1.00-12.00)

JAPN 301 - Third-Year Japanese I (4.00)

Development of reading and writing skills, with continued emphasis on listening and speaking. Introduction of intermediate-level grammar, vocabulary and kanji for communicating on topics beyond daily life. Taught in Japanese.

Prerequisite(s): JAPN 202.
Cardinal Directions Designation(s): Global Understanding.

JAPN 302 - Third-Year Japanese II (4.00)

Continued development of communicative skills in Japanese, including expansion of intermediate-level grammar, vocabulary and kanji. Students deal with various topics relevant to Japanese culture and society. Taught in Japanese.

Prerequisite(s): JAPN 202.
Cardinal Directions Designation(s): Global Understanding.

JAPN 320 - Readings in Japanese (2.00)

Students read extensively, discuss the texts and reflection the reading process. Taught in Japanese.

JAPN 380 - Japanese Pop Culture (4.00)

An introduction to the academic study of Japanese popular culture. Through careful attention to forms of Japanese popular culture such as anime, manga, films, TV dramas, short stories, and popular music/video, students develop a deeper understanding of contemporary Japan. Historical background and traditional values are also examined to critically analyze the different manifestations of Japanese popular culture. Taught in English.

Cardinal Directions Designation(s): Humanities, Global Understanding.
iCon(s): Innovating the World, Thinking Globally.

JAPN 390 - Topics (4.00)

Topics may include Japanese in the workplace, Japanese literature, Japanese films, Japanese culture and history or Japanese grammar. Taught in Japanese.

JAPN 393 - Japanese Enrichment (1.00-2.00)

Individual projects related to other courses that support the development of proficiencies in Japanese. Taught in Japanese.

JAPN 397 - Internship (0.00-12.00)

JAPN 399 - Independent Study (1.00-12.00)

JAPN 410 - Reading and Grammar (4.00)

Focuses on the development of reading proficiency with continued emphasis on expansion of grammatical understanding, vocabulary and kanji for enhancing communicative competence. The reading texts may include short stories, advertisements and articles from magazines and newspapers. Taught in Japanese.

Prerequisite(s): JAPN 302.

JAPN 420 - Writing and Grammar (4.00)

Focuses on the development of fluency in written Japanese through reading and writing various types of texts. Continued emphasis on expansion of grammatical understanding, vocabulary and kanji for enhancing communicative competence. Taught in Japanese.

Cardinal Directions Designation(s): Writing Intensive.

Extra-curricular and professional activities that will enrich your Japanese Education.

Opportunities abound to use your Japanese on our campus. You can

• strike up friendships with Japanese international students from Japan;
• request a conversation partner and a tutor;
• attend the weekly Japanese Conversation Table;
• go on field trips in the Chicago area with native speakers;
• sign up for Japan Club, which meets bi-weekly and schedules Japan-related activities such as film/anime showings and field trips;
• use our state-of-the-art Language Resource Center;
• be a part of our popular Anime Club on campus.

Study abroad: Meet new friends, experience Japanese culture and come back with much improved linguistic and cultural proficiency. You can

• be part of North Central in China/Japan, a fall-term program with North Central faculty and other students for seven weeks of immersion in each culture, one of the few collegiate programs to offer this distinctive experience. The program begins in Beijing and moves on to Kyoto. You’ll come back with greatly improved linguistic skills and cultural knowledge;
• participate in exchange opportunities, from one term to a full year, in Nagoya, Kyoto, Chiba, and Tokyo;
• join programs sponsored by other institutions.