Japanese Studies Program @
York University AP/JP1000 6.0 ELEMENTARY MODERN STANDARD JAPANESE[cat# N94D02-N94D10] WebGENERAL GUIDELINES: 2024-2025COURSEThis is a comprehensive beginner's level Japanese
language course enhanced with information technology. It
provides those who have no knowledge, or minimum
knowledge of the Japanese language with the basic
training and information concerning the language,
culture, and society. To learn Japanese in the context
of cross-cultural communication is one of the
main objectives. The communicative-empathic-narrative
approach enhances each learner's communicative
competence and performance. The course is fully
web-based: no textbook is used, all the instructional
materials are available on-line, the modular approach
strengthens the four-skill areas synergistically with
enriched information and materials, tests are on-line
via Moodle, and lectures are video-streamed for
real-time participation (distance education mode) and
for review.
Students are expected to study the self-study
interactive materials on the web, whenever and wherever
they have access to the Internet. Self-study materials
have been developed and made available for
students to review and study ahead to ensure that they
do not forget what they have learned and prepare for the
next-level courses during the summer and winter
holidays. Needless to say, students are encouraged to
proceed to the next level, but this course is designed
to be self-contained and partially for general education
purposes, so that it accommodates those who may not
continue to study Japanese further as well. The class
atmosphere is very congenial and anxiety-free because
students with various backgrounds study together. LECTURES Attendance is mandatory and counted toward final grades. TUTORIALS Attendance is mandatory. TESTS, ASSIGNMENTS & QUIZZES - Four tests on eClass - Oral presentations - In-class quizzes - Written homework assignments are to be submitted in class Note: No make-ups except in case of emergency such as severe illness [supported by a medical certificate], automobile accidents, death in the family [a letter is required from an appropriate person], and other similar situations. Any failure in online Internet connection must be substantiated with a photo that indicates the incident. If you miss a test or quiz without any reasonable explanation, you will receive a grade of zero. Written assignments must be handed in by the due day. No late assignments will be accepted except in case of emergency stated above. If you come in too late for the test or quiz, you may be asked by the instructor to leave. Should students miss a test, oral assignment, or homework due to inevitable circumstances (e.g., medical emergency), they are required to notify their instructor within 24 hours and provide her with written proof (e.g., doctor’s note), in order for them to be rescheduled.These policies are observed stringently. CONSULTATION & ADVISING E-office hours or in-person office hours. Each instructor will set up office hours. EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES JLPT 2024-2 will be held on December 1, 2024 at York University. PREREQUISITE: None DEGREE: This course is required for the honours
minor degree in Japanese Studies PACE & COVERAGE The course is semi-intensive in nature and moves fast: one lesson per week. Twenty lessons of the Lecture Notes will be completed and the two Kana systems and 120 Kanji [Sino-Japanese characters] will be introduced. The following are useful rules of thumb. * Be well prepared for the class. You are expected to
have done the self-study materials for each lesson
before you come to INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS Please copy the Lecture Notes from the Japanese web site. EVALUATION Tests [online - Moodle] - 30%; Oral assignments - 30%; Quiz - 15%; HW -
15%; Class attendance and participation -
10% WARNING & SANCTION Students who have missed class three consecutive times without any reasonable explanation to the instructor, and those whose absence is frequent may receive a warning, and if attendance does not improve immediately, further action may be taken by the course director. Academic dishonesty such as cheating and plagiarism will be penalized severely according to university regulations. IN-CLASS POLICIES * Any form of abuse, physical, psychological, or
verbal, will not be tolerated. CONSULTATION & ADVISING As for general questions and problems please feel free
to consult your instructor. Please observe office
hours; otherwise make an appointment.
Time-consuming questions and individual questions should
be addressed during the office hours. Inquiries by
E-mail should be kept minimal. Do not expect your
instructor to reply to your inquiries on the weekend. ENROLLMENT
DEADLINE Last date to enroll without permission of course
instructor: September
18, 2024 WITHDRAWAL DEADLINE Your interim grade will be provided by the end of
January, 2025. LANGUAGE STUDY Language study involves not only passive aspects [memorization, recitation, drills, pattern practice and so forth] but also active and creative aspects [analysis and comprehension of what is said or written, synthesis of what is learned, and communicative application of the language in actual situations]. In this course communicative aspects are strongly emphasized so that students will be able to function in actual conversation. Therefore, tutorials will not be conducted in such a way that the instructor gives lectures and drills and the students respond to him/her, but instead the students are encouraged to interact with both the instructor and other students in the class in actual communication [active participation]. Those who are not familiar with this type of individualistic, heuristic, and creative language study are expected to modify their views and learning strategies. HOW TO STUDY There is no one way to acquire a language; every person
has a different learning style and strategy. Try out
various ways and find the best method and system for you
as soon as possible. The following are some suggestions.
EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES * Informal get-together may be organized by
volunteer students [you included] who are studying
Japanese at York University FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES * Monbu-Kagaku-shoo Scholarships are available for third and fourth year students sponsored by the Japanese Government.* The one-year exchange programs are available with Meiji University in Tokyo, Dokkyo University in Saitama, Keio University, Waseda University in Tokyo, Nagoya University in Nagoya, Hitotsubashi University and Aoyama Gakuin University in Tokyo are mainly for those who have completed AP/JP3000 6.0 (or AS/JP3000 6.0) or AP/JP4000 6.0 (or AS/JP4000 6.0) with good standing not only in Japanese but also in GPA [B or above]. Applicants must apply to York International and go through the selection procedure (tests and interviews). Up to three students are recommended per institution annually. Official inter-university exchange students may be eligible for JASSO[Japan Student Services Organization] scholarship. Some universities allow students to start either in April or September. Please consult with the York International. * Advanced knowledge of Japanese can further facilitate your academic career such as International MBA programs, East Asian Studies, Teaching of Japanese as a Foreign Language, etc. * The JET [Japan Exchange and Teaching] Program, which is sponsored by the Japanese Government, gives opportunities to work in Japan as either an assistant English language teacher at a local school [ALT] or a coordinator for international relations [CIR] at a local government office. Consult with the Japan Information Centre [ph.(416)363-5488] for further information.
CALL [Computer-Assisted Language Learning] / TEL [Technology Enhanced Learning] Multimedia Language Centre [MLC:
S117 Ross] MLC provides PC lab sessions. All these sessions are on
a walk-in and first-come-first-served basis. Orientation
is scheduled. Students are strongly encouraged to familiarize themselves with Moodle and the word processing program. E-mail account
Every student must activate the York E-mail account as
soon as possible. Web Sites
Your final grade will be given based on the above grading scheme. A grade of "B" or above is strongly recommended to advance to the next level, although "C" is the minimum requirement. Please note that the grading percentages are set higher
than in the standard grading scheme because 10% of the
total grade is allocated for class/lab attendance and
participation. Professor Noriko Yabuki-Soh Course Director Office: South 526 Ross Building Phone: (416)736-5016 (DLLL Office) Fax: (416)736-5483 E-mail: YABUKI |