The Japanese language program focuses on communicative Japanese.
While students are expected to learn reading and writing, much
of the introductory sequence is designed to emphasize the skills
of speaking, listening, and interacting with other speakers of
Japanese. Elementary Japanese (Japanese 101-102) assumes no background.
Students are introduced to the fundamentals of the modern language
with particular emphasis on the control of basic grammatical patterns.
Students use hiragana and katakana and a limited number of Chinese
characters. Intermediate Japanese (Japanese 203-204) continues
to develop all language skills with an increasing emphasis on
reading and writing. Students are also introduced to literary
Japanese. Study through Japanese 203 satisfies the College language
requirement.
The Japanese language courses are taught with a combination of
lectures in English and conversation with native speakers in Japanese.
We also offer a variety of courses on Japanese literature, culture
and film in English translation. Many of these courses fulfill
the Humanities LASAR requirements and are given in our department
as well as through Comparative Literature.
Courses on language and culture have a department web site which
includes current course information as well as links to Japan,
a page for high school students, and web pages designed by students
at Queens College.
Students can take a MINOR in Japanese or make it part of an Asian
Studies or other Major. The Minor is 20 credits, including four
semesters of Japanese and two courses taught in English relevant
to Japanese literature or culture.
COURSES GIVEN IN ENGLISH
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EAST 251. Modern Japanese Fiction in Translation
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EAST 255W. The Tale of Genji and Early Japanese
Women's Writings Comparative
-
Comparative Literature 220/221. East Asian Literature I
and II
COURSES IN JAPANESE LANGUAGE
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101. Elementary Japanese I. 4 hr.; 4 cr.
Prereq.: English 95 or equivalent. An introduction to the modern
language with emphasis on using spoken Japanese in context.
Students learn hiragana and katakana.
-
102. Elementary Japanese II. 4 hr.; 4 cr. Prereq.:
Japanese 101 or equivalent. Spoken exercises are increased as
more of the modern language is learned. Approximately 125 Chinese
characters are introduced.
-
203. Intermediate Japanese I. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq.: Japanese 102 or equivalent. A continuation of Japanese
102 with greater emphasis on reading and writing as well as
an introduction to literary Japanese.
-
204. Intermediate Japanese II. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq.: Japanese 203 or equivalent. A continuation of Japanese
203. Students will prepare sophisticated spoken exercises and
begin to read texts of intermediate difficulty.
COURSES IN CLASSICAL JAPANESE
- 211. Classical Japanese I. 3hr.; 3cr.
Prereq.: JPNS 102 or permission of the instructor. An introduction
to classical Japanese (bungo) using both a formal grammar and
authentic texts.
- 212. Classical Japanese II. 3hr.; 3cr.
Prereq.: JPNS211 or permission of the instructor. A continuation
of JPNS 211. An introduction to classical Japanese (bungo) using
both a formal grammar and authentic texts.
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 The
Japanese Program is now coordinating its curriculum with high school
Japanese programs in the New York City public schools. Students
who have passed the New York State Comprehensive Examination in
Japanese should be able to enter directly into Japanese 203. Higher
placement is also possible. In addition, high school seniors interested
in pursuing topics in Japanese and Asian literature and culture
prior to their enrollment at Queens College should contact the department.
ADVANCED LANGUAGE COURSES
- 305. Advanced Modern Japanese I. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq.: Japanese 204 or permission of instructor. Students will
read texts of intermediate difficulty, write essays, and perform
sophisticated oral exercises such as speeches, skits or other
simulated situations. Emphasis on idiomatic usage of the modern
language. Topics will vary from semester to semester and be determined,
in part, by student goals and interests.
- 306. Advanced Modern Japanese II. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq.: Japanese 305 or permission of the instructor. A continuation
of Japanese 305. Topics covered will vary from semester to semester
and may include readings in a broad range of modern Japanese literary
and cultural materials.
- 311 Advanced Texts I. 3hr.;3r.
Prereq.: JPNS 306 or permission of the instructor. Reading of
selected modern texts with emphasis on expository style.
- 312 Advanced Texts II. 3hr.;3r.
Prereq.: JPNS 311 or permission of the instructor. Reading of
selected modern texts with emphasis on expository style.
Faculty:
Lewis Cook
William McClure
Adjunct staff:
Mari Fujimoto
Tomonori Nagano
Miho Nagai
Tomoyuki Yabe
Visit a unique site, edited by Prof. Lewis Cook:
Kokin Wakashu: Ancient & Modern Japanese Poems of the 10th century
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