70381 - Basics of Japanese

Academic Year 2022/2023

  • Docente: Motoko Ueyama
  • Credits: 6
  • SSD: L-OR/22
  • Language: Japanese
  • Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
  • Campus: Forli
  • Corso: First cycle degree programme (L) in Intercultural and Linguistic Mediation (cod. 8059)

Learning outcomes

Students are expected not only to learn the basic grammar and lexicon of the target language but also to acquire the beginning level of linguistic competence for both written and spoken Japanese in a limited number of communicative contexts.

Course contents

This is the first course of Japanese for beginning learners offered in the undergrad program of the DIT.

The course concentrates on the use of the language in actual communicative situations. By the end of the course, the students will learn two of the three Japanese writing systems (hiragana and katakana) and some characters of the third (kanji). The students will also learn the basics of Japanese grammar and be able to conduct basic conversations, read and write simple Japanese texts. They also familiarize themselves with some aspects of the Japanese Culture.

Readings/Bibliography

Textbooks (obligatory)

Genki I: An Integrated Course in Elementary Japanese (The Japan Times) - 3rd edition (pp. 20-101; pp. 296-307)

Genki I Workbook  (Japan Times) - 3rd edition (pp. 11-40; pp. 121-134)

A copy of both Genki 1 and Workbook is available in Biblioteca Ruffili.

A part from the above textbooks, teaching materials distributed by the instructor will be used.

Optional References

<Dictionaries>

Kodansha's Furigana English-Japanese Dictionary  (Kodansha International)

< Grammar >

Matilde Mastrangelo, Naoko Ozawa & Mariko Saito (2016).   Grammatica giapponese. (HOEPLI)


Teaching methods

Lessons: class attendance is not obligatory since the course is optional, but it is fundamental to learn materials from scratch (for total beginners) and carry out exercises with the support of the native-speaking instructor.

Homework: class time is extremely limited, and students keep up with learning by homework regularly.

 

Assessment methods

Term exam

The final grades will be decided, based on the results of written (50%) and oral (50%) exams.

 

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.

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
  • Moodle e-learning platform (http://moodle.sslmit.unibo.it)

Office hours

See the website of Motoko Ueyama