01:565:313 Advanced Japanese Conversation and Contemporary Issues 

This course is designed to cultivate verbal communication skills in Japanese.

By the end of the course, students will be expected to acquire:

  • to be conversant with practical conversational expressions and strategies
  • to be able to carry on a conversation in both formal and casual styles
  • to be able to express opinions and feelings

Successful completion of the course fulfills the following Asian Languages and Cultures Departmental Learning Goals for Japanese majors and minors at this level:

  • Majors in Japanese will acquire in-depth knowledge of the Japanese language as well as the literature and culture of Japan. Majors will be able to demonstrate oral, reading, and written proficiency in the language and develop critical skills in analyzing and interpreting literary, historical, and cultural texts. Students will acquire the literary, cultural and linguistic competency necessary for continuing onto post-graduate study or employment requiring such cultural knowledge and/or linguistic skill. Students will learn the cultural heritage of Japan within the larger context of East Asia through a wide and coherent curriculum, which includes courses in the following humanities and social science disciplines: literature, visual culture, history, religion, language and linguistics.
  • Minors will be introduced to the cultural heritage of Japan through courses on literature, history, visual culture, language and linguistics. Minors will be able to communicate effectively (listening, speaking and writing) in Japanese and will learn critical skills in analyzing and interpreting literary and cultural materials appropriate to the student’s area of specialization. Students will achieve advanced linguistic competency and be able to demonstrate practical skills in using Japanese for translation and interpretation. Students will be able to relate relevant issues to other areas in the humanities. See full statement of Asian Languages and Cultures Departmental Learning Goals at Learning Goals.

Grading: Active Participation + Attendance 10%, Final Project 36%, Assignments 30%, 2 times consultations 6%, Presentations (4 times) 24%, Draft Check 10%, Individual Presentation 20%

Regular on-time attendance is absolutely necessary. Three absences or more will negatively affect your grade. Every 3 instances of unexcused tardiness or early class departure (more than 5 minutes for either) will count as one absence. Missing more than 40 minutes of a class will be considered one absence. Please be aware that 10 absences (= one-third of the classes) or more after the add period will not allow you to pass this course.

In case you test positive for COVID-19, please inform the campus Student Health office of your positive test result and follow the university and CDC guidelines. Also, please let your instructor know and send him/her the note from the Student Health office. Special accommodation may be arranged.

If you expect to miss classes, please e-mail your instructor or use the University website: to indicate the date and reason for your absence. In cases such as a job interview, a conference, religious observance, and other inevitable commitments, the student will be excused without penalty and will be allowed to make up the work missed (partial credit). You are responsible to provide notification to your instructor about necessary absences BEFORE the date of the engagement. Any other absences will be considered an unexcused absence.

It is YOUR responsibility to keep up with what you have missed for any reason. Most of the handouts will be on Canvas.

If you are traveling from another campus to this class and are having difficulty getting to class on time, please inform the instructor of your situation.

Completed assignments should be submitted 20 minutes before the class starts on the date due (see the Course Schedule) for full credit. All late submissions must be submitted by 9 am on the next day of the deadline and will receive partial credit or no credit. Please read each assignment's instruction carefully.