69537 - Japanese Language and Culture

Learning outcomes

Modifica Learning outcomes Students will learn basic elements of the Japanese language and culture. Moreover, they are expected to to become able to understand and produce written texts and spontaneous oral discourses (in communicative contexts of everyday life).

Course contents

This is the first module of the integrated course Lingua e Interpretazione Dialogica Giapponese. Starting from the basics learned in the first two course of the Japanese program, Basic Japanese and Japanese Language, new materials (Lesson 9-11 of Genki I: An Integrated Course in Elementary Japanese - terza edizione) will be presented.

The exercises focus on various skills: conversation, reading and listening comprehension, simple compositions. The students continue to use the computer in Japanese (the students write compositions about various topics and utilize online tools to read Japanese texts). Additionally, they familiarize themselves with some aspects of Japanese history and culture. Finally, they will choose a topic related to Japanese history and culture, collect materials and write up a short term paper in Italian o English.

Readings/Bibliography

Textbooks

Genki I : An Integrated Course in Elementary Japanese - terza edition (The Japan Times)

Genki I Workbook - second edition (The Japan Times)

Materials distributed in classe

Online resourses

• Moodle page of the course
  
• Genki study resources - online exercises for all the units of Genki to utilize for reviewing or catching up with lesson contents or following the course remotely during the Erasmus
  
• Jisho - online Japanese-English dictionary
  
• OJAD - Online Japanese Accent Dictionary

Optional references

< Dictionaries >

Il Dizionario di Giapponese - la seconda edizione (Zanichelli)

Kodansha's Furigana English-Japanese Dictionary (Kodansha)

 

< Grammar >

Kaiser, S., Ichikawa, Y. & Yamamoto, H. (2012) Japanese: A Comprehensive Grammar. (Routledge)

Kubota, Y. (1989) Grammatica di giapponese moderno. (Libreria Editrice Cafoscarina)

Makino, S. & Tsutsui, M. (1991). Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar. (The Japan Times)

Mastrangelo, M., Ozawa, N. & Saito, N. (2016). Grammatica Giapponese (Hoepli)

 

< Storia & Cultura >

Autori vari. Giappone. The Passenger. Per Esploratori del Mondo. (2018). Iperborea.

Calvet, B. (2017) Storia del Giappone e dei Giapponesi. Lindau.

Caroli, R. & Gatti, F. (2017) Storia del Giappone. Laterza.

Henshell, K. (2017) Storia del Giappone. Mondadori.

Longhurst, N. (2018). Japonisme. Ikigai, Bagno nella Foresta, wabi-sabi e Molto Altro. Harper Collins Italia.

Menegazzo, R. (2007). Giappone. Mondadori Electa.

Nakagawa, N. (2006). Introduzione alla Cultura Giapponese. Mondadori Bruno.

Tsuji, N. (2019). History of Art in Japan. Colombia University Press.

和(わ)タのC: rivista multimediale scritta in giapponese relativamente semplice per introdurre vari aspetti della cultura giapponese.

 

Online resources

<Word dictionaries >

Denshi Jisho: http://jisho.org/

Tagaini Jisho: http://www.tagaini.net/

Tangorin: http://tangorin.com/

WordReference: http://www.wordreference.com/

WWWJDIC: http://wwwjdic.org/

 

< Dictionary app >

Midori (iPhone&iPad)

Takoboto (Android)

 

< Accent dictionary >

Online Japanese Accent Dicionary (OJAD): http://www.gavo.t.u-tokyo.ac.jp/ojad/eng/pages/home

Teaching methods

• Lectures
  
• Homework
  

Assessment methods

Method

The final grades will be decided, based on the results of written and oral exams. A term paper and composition assignments will be considered for extra credit.

Minimum 70% attendance is mandatory, following the regulation of the degree program.

Learning evaluation scale

30-30L Excellent level. The candidate demonstrates a very high level of the knowledge of course materials and competence in using such knowledge in actual communication both spoken and written.

27-29 Above-average level. The candidate demonstrates a solid command of the required skills and competences, making only minor errors.

24– 26 Generally sound level. The candidate displays a number of shortcomings, indicating a reasonable command of the required skills and competences.

21-23 Adequate level. The candidate displays significant shortcomings and only an adequate command of the required skills and competences.

18– 20 Minim level. The candidate only meets the minimum level required and shows a minimal command of the required skills and competences.

< 18 Fail
The candidate’s does not meet the required standard and shows a wholly inadequate command of the required skills and competences.

Teaching tools

• Computer with video projector and internet connection
  
• Handouts
  
• Audiovisual materials
• Online linguistic tools
  
• Moodle e-learning platform
  

Office hours

See the website of Motoko Ueyama