66967 - Japanese 1

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course students reach a basic level of proficiency in Japanese language and literature and are able to properly communicate the learned contents, with reference to relevant literature.

Course contents

12 CFU COURSE

Language

Introduction to the Japanese Language and Japanese writing systems: hiragana, katakana, kanji (reading and writing kanji from the textbook) Expressions from daily conversation.

History and culture

History of Japanese culture from its origins until Edo period (1603-1868)(INCLUDED) and related terminology in kanji.

6 CFU COURSE

The course includes the study of the basic principles of Japanese grammar, two alphabets: hiragana and katakana and the study of history of Japanese culture from its origins until Edo period (NOT INCLUDED) and related terminology in kanji.

The course starts from the basic principles of the Japanese language: no previous knowledge of Japanese is required.

Although not mandatory, attendance is highly recommended.

Readings/Bibliography

Surie nettowaku (ed.), Minna no Nihongo. Shokyū 1, Tōkyō, 3A Corporation, Second Edition 2012.

T. Takeshita, Il Giappone e la sua civiltà: profilo storico, Bologna, Clueb, 2012. (Capitoli I-V)

T. Takeshita, Esercitazione terminologica di storia e civiltà giapponese, Bologna, Clueb, 1998. (Esercizi I- IV)

Suggested books

T. Takeshita, M. Ueyama e F. Vitucci, Nihon-JP Corso multimediale per l'autoapprendimento della lingua giapponese(Parte Prima, unità 1-3) su CD-ROM, Bologna, Clueb, 2007.

For students not attending classes

language:

T. Takeshita, M. Ueyama e F. Vitucci, Nihon-JP Corso multimediale per l'autoapprendimento della lingua giapponese(Parte Prima, unità 1-3) su CD-ROM, Bologna, Clueb, 2007.

culture:

T. Takeshita, Il Giappone e la sua civiltà: profilo storico, Bologna, Clueb, 2012. (Capitoli I-V)

T. Takeshita, Esercitazione terminologica di storia e civiltà giapponese, Bologna, Clueb, 1998. (Esercizi I- IV)

Teaching methods

Japanese language: direct method. Classes will be in Japanese from the beginning and they need interaction.

To acquire an additional number of words and expressions Nihon-JP CD-ROM can be used.

There will be homeworks and short tests to monitor progress (not for the final evaluation).

Japanese history and culture: several cultural elements of Japan will be introduced during class but the study of Japanese culture is mainly entrusted to the students themselves.

Assessment methods

The exam is oral and consists of two parts.

Language

Reading of some passages of the textbook. Questions and answers in Japanese about the text and daily conversation.

For students not attending classes:

Basics of the Japanese language can be studied using Nihon-JP Corso multimediale per l'autoapprendimento della lingua giapponese (Parte Prima, Unità 1-3) . Reading, questions and answers will be related to Nihon-JP.

History and Culture

For all students:

Reading of one page of textbook Esercitazione terminologica di storia e civiltà giapponese: pp.7-33 (Japanese terms included)and explanation in Italian about a word or an event related to the page. The page will be chosen by the teacher; The word (or the event)by the student. Reference book Il Giappone e la sua civiltà: profilo storico.

Top marks will be awarded to a student displaying fluent reading and ability to answer properly to simple questions in Japanese of daily conversation combined with the ability to recognize every kanji of the chosen page and to explain clearly the chosen word (or historical event) and contextualize it.

Average marks will be awarded to a student who has an acceptable fluency in reading, the ability to answer only part of the questions in Japanese, or to recognize some kanji, explaining the chosen word (or historical event) with a poor knowledge of Japanese history.

A student will be deemed to have failed the exam if he displays poor reading and if he is not able to answer questions in Japanese and he cannot take the second part of the exam (history/culture).

The students who have attended Japanese classes before are requested to come to office hours for an alternative program by the end of November 2018.

Not attending students are requested to come to office hours by the end of November 2018.

Teaching tools

Power point. Visual and audiovisual materials.

Office hours

See the website of Maria Elena Tisi