University Catalog 2024-2025

World Languages - Japanese (WLJA)

WLJA 101  Elementary Japanese I  (3 credit hours)  

Introduction to standard, formal Japanese. Emphasis on speaking and listening skills. Exposure to Japanese culture, reading, and writing.

Corequisite: WLJA 103

Typically offered in Fall only

WLJA 102  Elementary Japanese II  (3 credit hours)  

Continuation of basic skills. Emphasis on speaking and listening skills; inclusion of Japanese cultural factors in communication. Some reading and writing.

Prerequisite: WLJA 101; Corequisite: WLJA 104

Typically offered in Spring only

WLJA 103  Elementary Japanese I Conversation  (1 credit hours)  

Supplements conversational practice in WLJA 101. Students are encouraged to use their speaking skills in a variety of situations. Special attention is given to correcting and improving pronunciation and intonation.

Corequisite: WLJA 101

Typically offered in Fall only

WLJA 104  Elementary Japanese II Conversation  (1 credit hours)  

Supplements conversational practice in WLJA 102. Extensive use of speaking skills in a variety of situations. Special attention given to correcting and improving pronunciation and intonation.

Prerequisite: WLJA 101; Corequisite: WLJA 102

Typically offered in Spring only

WLJA 201  Intermediate Japanese I  (3 credit hours)  

Continuation of basic skills. Greater emphasis on reading and writing. More exposure to Japanese cultural traditions.

Prerequisite: WLJA 102 or WLJA 105; Corequisite: WLJA 203

Typically offered in Fall only

WLJA 202  Intermediate Japanese II  (3 credit hours)  

Continuation of the learning of the basic skills. Emphasis on reading and writing as well as on spoken Japanese and on cultural patterns of behavior.

Prerequisite: WLJA 201; Corequisite: WLJA 204

GEP Global Knowledge

Typically offered in Spring only

WLJA 203  Intermediate Japanese Conversation  (1 credit hours)  

Practice in spoken Japanese through use of the language in a variety of situations. Increase vocabulary and develop fluency and ease in the structural patterns of the language.May be repeated for a maximum of three credit hours.

Prerequisite: WLJA 102; Corequisite: WLJA 201, WLJA 202 or WLJA 301

Typically offered in Fall only

WLJA 204  Intermediate Japanese II Conversation  (1 credit hours)  

Supplemental intermediate conversational practice. Drills and situational exercises to build oral proficiency with patterns introduced in WLJA 202.

Corequisite: WLJA 202

Typically offered in Spring only

WLJA 301  Intermediate Japanese III  (3 credit hours)  

Continued study of Japanese language. Primary emphasis on spoken Japanese, but attention also given to reading, writing and culture.

Prerequisite: WLJA 202

Typically offered in Fall only

WLJA 302  Intermediate Japanese IV  (3 credit hours)  

Continued training in the foundations of Japanese language. Primary emphasis on spoken Japanese, with increased attention to reading and writing.

Prerequisite: WLJA 301

Typically offered in Spring only

WLJA 342  Classical Japanese Literature in Translation  (3 credit hours)  

A survey of literature in Japan from earliest recorded times through the sixteenth century. Examples from major eras and genres (folktales, poetry, philosophy, fictional narrative, theater, etc.) will be considered, with attention to historical and cultural contexts, as well as to contemporary scholarship and approaches toward traditional literature. Examples from literature outside Japan will be included for comparative purposes. No prior knowledge of Japanese required: Readings and discussions in English.

GEP Global Knowledge, GEP Humanities

Typically offered in Spring only

WLJA 344  Early Modern Japanese Literature in Translation  (3 credit hours)  

A survey of literature in Japan from 1600 to late Nineteenth Century. Examples from major periods and genres (novels, poetry, philosophy, dram, miscellaneous narrative, etc.) will be considered, with attention to historical and cultural contexts, as well as to contemporary scholarship and approaches toward the literature. Examples from literature outside Japan will be included for comparative purposed. No prior knowledge of Japanese required: Readings and discussions in English.

GEP Global Knowledge, GEP Humanities

Typically offered in Spring only

WLJA 345  Modern Japanese Literature in Translation  (3 credit hours)  

A survey in literature in Japan from the Meiji Era through World War Two. Examples from major periods and genres (novels, poetry, philosophy, drama, miscellaneous narrative, etc.) will be considered, with attention to historical and cultural contexts, as well as to contemporary scholarship and approaches toward the literature. Examples from literature outside Japan will be included for comparative purposes. No prior knowledge of Japanese required: Readings and discussions in English.

GEP Humanities, GEP Global Knowledge

Typically offered in Spring only

WLJA 351/ANT 351  Contemporary Culture in Japan  (3 credit hours)  

Introduction to basic aspects of cultural practices in Japanese society, including education, work life, family relationships, everyday religious practices, aesthetic traditions, national identity and gender. Students will develop an understanding of the interrelationships between language and culture. The course is repeatable with different content topics.

Typically offered in Spring only

This course is offered alternate odd years

WLJA 401  Advanced Japanese I  (3 credit hours)  

Continued training in the foundations of Japanese language, with emphasis on complex verb forms. Increased attention to reading and writing.

Prerequisite: WLJA 302

Typically offered in Fall only

WLJA 402  Advanced Japanese II  (3 credit hours)  

Elaboration on grammatical forms learned in the previous courses with applications in reading and writing, combined with more sophisticated vocabulary and idioms and attention to development of natural reading skills.

Prerequisite: WLJA 401

Typically offered in Spring only