21F.502 Japanese II Syllabus

I. Instructors

IKEDA, Masami 池田雅美　Rm.14N-232, 253-3543, mikeda@mit.edu

NAGAYA, Yoshimi 長谷好美　Rm.14N-321. 253-4771, yoshimi@mit.edu

ONO, Jun 小野純　Rm.16-675A, 324-2427, jono@mit.edu

See Office Hours.

II. Meeting hours and classrooms

Section 1 MTRF 09:05- 09:55 Rm. 4-249
Section 2 MTRF 10:05- 11:55 Rm. 4-249
Section 3 MTRF 12:05- 12:55 Rm. 4-249

* Please make sure that you check the Monthly & Weekly Schedules online for updated information.

III. Texts

  1. “Genki, An Integrated Course in Elementary Japanese I”, The Japan Times (available at Kendall Coop)
  2. “Genki Workbook”, The Japan Times (available at Kendall Coop)

IV. Online supplementary materials and resources

Supplementary course materials and other resources are available on the web at http://web.mit.edu/21f.502/www/index.html. You are expected to use these resources on your own as much as possible.

V. Course objectives and procedures

This course covers "Genki I" Lessons 7 through 12, enhancing the basic skills for conversation, reading and writing. In class, we will emphasize the development of your communicative skills (i.e., your actual use of Japanese in contexts). By the end of the semester, you are expected to carry on a daily conversation with Japanese people. You will also learn approximately 87 Kanji characters in this course.

In this course there are two types of class sessions, Grammar Sessions and Drill Sessions. In Grammar Sessions, information necessary for using the language, such as grammar, vocabulary, and socio-cultural information, will be provided primarily in English.

Drill Sessions are conducted almost entirely in Japanese. Sessions will concentrate on speaking activities that require you to use the language actively. Good daily performance scores can be achieved when you have learned and practiced the assigned Drills before coming to class.

VI. Evaluation

A. Daily Grade

In Drill sessions, you will be given a daily performance score based on your performance:

10 = Excellent performance
9 = Strong performance; well-pepared with a few minor mistakes
8 = Fair performance; prepared with some mistakes or weakness
7 = Weak performance; prepared but weak in major areas
6 = Unsatisfactory performance; evidently unprepared
0 = Absent

B. Exams and Quizzes

There are two oral interview tests, four Lesson Quizzes (20-25 minutes long) and a one-hour long exam in May. Vocabulary and Kanji Quizzes are given throughout the semester. All homework must be submitted by due date. Late submission results in -.5 reductions per day. You will not receive the final course grade unless all homework is turned in.

C. Evaluation Method

Daily grade 20% *
Lesson Quiz (x5) 25% **
Interview Test (x2) 15%
One-Hour Exam 15%
Vocabulary& Kanji Quizzes 10% ***
Homework**** 10%
Class Participation 5%

* Three lowest daily grades will be dropped during the term.
** The lowest lesson quiz score will be dropped at the end of the term.
*** Two lowest quiz scores will be dropped at the end of the term.
****Homework assignments are due at the beginning of the class. Late submission will result in 0.5 deduction in grade each day. All assignments must be completed and submitted in order to receive the course grade.

There will be NO MAKE-UP for missed performances and quizzes unless you notify the teachers of your absence in advance.

D. Attendance Policy

  1. Because of the cumulative nature of language learning, it is essential that you attend all sessions and keep up with the course work on a daily basis. Please follow the online Weekly Schedule.
  2. Attend the class section you are registered in, unless you have made official arrangements with the instructors at the beginning of the semester, or your grade will not be credited. If you have to attend a section other than your regular section on a particular day, you must notify the instructors at least one day in advance.
  3. Only in case of an emergency you may be allowed to participate in class in a different section without the aforementioned one-day-in-advance permission from the instructors. Oversleeping is not regarded as an emergency.
  4. You are expected to come to class on time. Coming in late not only results in missed performances and quizzes that may not be made up for, but also distracts other students. Showing up late will affect your daily grade negatively.
  5. NO TEXT MESSAGING will be allowed during class.

VII. Miscellaneous