The Resident Director for 2007-2008 is Professor Timothy Vance, Professor of Linguistics, University of Arizona.

JAPANESE LANGUAGE

Students are placed in language courses on the basis of past language study and level of ability as determined by the Center language staff. All students will take a written and oral placement test on arrival. Students will not be asked to duplicate language credits previously received. Language instruction is offered at four levels from Intermediate through Advanced.

All language courses aim at developing proficiency in speaking, aural comprehension, reading, and writing Japanese. Oral skills are stressed at all levels, but an increasing emphasis is placed upon reading and writing skills at more advanced levels. Classes are taught in Japanese.

All language classes meet for two hours daily, Monday through Friday. 10 hrs. credit.

INTRODUCTION TO JAPANESE LINGUISTICS

The ultimate goal of this course is to provide an introductory contrastive analysis of English and Japanese. To compare two languages with any degree of sophistication, a solid background in the basic concepts and terminology of linguistics is required, and most of the course is devoted to providing students with this essential foundation. This course differs from a general introductory linguistics course mainly in its heavy use of Japanese data. (3hrs)

JAPANESE ART HISTORY

A survey of the history of Japanese art with emphasis on the art of the Heian through the Edo periods. In addition to readings, film and video materials and field trips will also be used. (3hrs)

BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT IN JAPAN

This course is for the students who are interested in learning more about Japanese business, enterprise and management. Not only generic models but also many case examples are lectured and discussed in this course. The instructor provides lectures to give overviews about Japanese business and management based o selected materials. After several lectures, the students should prepare short resumes including the summary and comments about each topic to make presentations for class discussion. The students will be able to analyze situations of Japanese firms and to make comments on the strategies and operations critically after completing this course. (3hrs)

JAPANESE SOCIETY AND LAW

The course will attempt to explain the Japanese contemporary society as it is reflected in the law. It will cover the basic principles of the Constitution and the system of government to enable a general understanding of how the country works. The Constitution is the “supreme” law of the country, and it has been the basis of the development of the post WWII society. It will also touch on the debate on the Constitutional amendment, and the controversies. The focus will be on new legislative developments, such as gender, child protection and immigration. Some of these developments have been brought on by international influence, some by domestic concerns, and they not only reflect the changing society but also become factor in the changes in the workforce, family and communities. (3hrs)

THE JAPANESE WRITING SYSTEM

This course is designed to give students an opportunity to explore the historical development and the current state of the Japanese writing system. Although the focus will be on the relationship between the writing system and the language it represents, the course will touch on social and political issues, including the emotionally charged debates about orthographic reform. (3hrs)

POPULAR JAPANESE RELIGION

An introduction to popular Japanese religion. The class will consist of lectures to accompany the text readings and the handouts which provide background for the festival videos that will b shown a part of the course. (3hrs)

JAPANESE SOCIOLOGY THROUGH LANGUAGE

This course will cover some basic characteristics of Japanese behavior patters and attempt to define the forces which underlie the Japanese society through observing the language that the Japanese people use. (3hrs)

JAPANESE/BUSINESS ECONOMY 

INDEPENDENT STUDY

Independent study projects are designed by the student in consultation with the Field Director. It is suggested that students wait until Spring Semester to undertake an independent study project.1-4 hrs.