21F.503 Japanese III Syllabus
Fall 2009
I. Instructors
新宮育枝 SHINGU, Ikue
Rm. 14N-232, phone 253-3543, ikue@mit.edu
Office
Hours: MR 2:00-3:30 and by appointment
櫻井由紀 SAKURAI, Yuki
Rm.14N-229D, phone 258-0626, ysakurai@mit.edu
Office Hours:
T 2:00-3:00and by appointment
II. Meeting hours and classrooms
Section 1 MTRF 10:00-11:00 Rm. 2-103
Section 2 MTRF 12:00- 1:00 Rm. 2-103
Section 3 MTRF 1:00- 2:00 Rm. 2-103
III. Texts
- Japanese: the Spoken Language, Part 1 and 2, by Eleanor H. Jorden with Mari Noda, Yale University Press, l987 (available at Kendall Coop)
- 21f.503(Japanese 3) Course Packet (Available at MIT Copy Tech, Rm.11-004)
IV. Course objectives and procedures
This course covers JSL Lessons 12 through 17, providing opportunities to acquire basic skills for conversation, reading and writing. The program emphasizes ACTIVE command of Japanese, not passive knowledge. Your goal is not simply to study the grammar and vocabulary, but to improve the ability to use Japanese accurately and appropriately with fluency, building on the basic skills you gained in Japanese I and II. You will learn approximately 90 Kanji characters in this course.
FACT vs. ACT class sessions:
In this course there are two types of class sessions, FACT and ACT. In FACT classes, information necessary for using the language, such as grammar, vocabulary, and socio-cultural information, will be provided primarily in English. You must read the textbook carefully, studying the Structural Patterns ('SPs'), the Miscellaneous Notes ('MN'), the Breakdowns (new vocabulary items), and the Core Conversations ('CCs'), as your preparation for FACT classes. Make sure that you know the metalinguistic terms used in the text as we refer to them in class.
ACT classes, which are conducted entirely in Japanese, will concentrate on speaking activities that require you to use the language. One of the things expected in ACT classes is that you ACT OUT the assigned Core Conversations ('CCs') accurately and fluently. Note that your grade for this course is largely dependent on your DAILY PERFORMANCE. Good daily performance scores can be achieved when you have learned and practiced the assigned CCs and Drills before coming to class, and demonstrate that you can use them in other contexts given in the class session. You should not rely only on reading the texts when you prepare for class; you need to use the accompanying tapes and learn the sounds, paying attention to the pronunciation and the intonation. Come to class well-prepared, as the pace and the level of a particular session are influenced by your readiness.
IMPORTANT: Students should practice Core Conversations and Drills by listening to the audios (refer to VII. Audio/Visual Materials). Reading the transcriptions in the textbook only is not sufficient.V. Evaluation
A. Daily Grade
One of the things you are expected to do in ACT classes is that you ACT OUT the assigned Core Conversations ('CCs'). Based on your performance of CCs and other activities involving the assigned CCs and Drills, you will be given a daily performance score:
10 = excellent performance; native-like fluency
9 = very good/strong performance with some minor
errors
8 = fair performance with some mistakes or weakness
7 = prepared, but weak in major areas
6 = present, but evidently unprepared
0 = absent
! The above grade sale also applies to your performance on assigned
readings in class.
B. Exams and Quizzes
There are two oral interview exams, three Lesson Quizzes (20-25 minute long) and an one-hour long exam. A Vocabulary Quiz is given in each FACT class, and there are also five Kanji quizzes throughout the semester.
C. Evaluation Method
| Daily Grade (CC performance,
drills and readings) Lesson Quizzes (3) Interview Tests (2) One Hour Exam Vocabulary and Kanji Quizzes Homework Class Participation |
25% * 20% ** 15% 15% 10% *** 10% 5% |
* The 3 lowest daily grades will be dropped
during the term.
** The lowest LQ score will be dropped at the end of
the term.
*** The 4 lowest VQ and KQ scores will be dropped at
the end of the
term.
- There will be NO MAKE-UP for missed performances and quizzes.
- Homework assignments must be submitted at the beginning of class on the due date.
- All the homework assignments need to be completed and submitted in order to receive a course grade.
D. Attendance Policy
- 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 and come to class well-prepared. Missing more than five classes without valid excuses may result in failing the course.
- Students are expected to come to class in time.
Coming in late not only results in missed performances and quizzes that
may not be made up for, but also distracts other students.
- Attend the class section which you are registered in, unless you have made official arrangements with the instructors at the beginning of the semester, or your grade may not be counted. 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.
- Only in case of an emergency you may be allowed to participate in class activities and quizzes in a different section without the aforementioned one-day-in-advance permission from the instructors. Oversleeping is NOT regarded as an emergency.
VI. Online supplementary materials and resources
Supplementary course materials and other resources are available on the Web at http://web.mit.edu/21f.503/www/index.html. You are expected to use these resources on your own as much as possible.
- Course Syllabus and Semester Schedule
- Monthly and Weekly Schedule (*Check regularly for updated information)
- Multimedia materials for Kanji character/meaning recognition and exercises
- Reading materials with AUDIO
- Quiz Review Materials (grammar notes and exercises, example answers for JSL Utilization Exercises and Eavesdropping, practice tests, etc.)
VII. Audio/Visual materials
- When you practice assigned drills and core conversations, we encourage you to utilize Digital Language Lab Site (at Ohio State University) for the video clips of Core Conversations, audios of Drills and Eavesdropping sections in Japanese: the Spoken Language.
- Audio files of Core Conversationsare available at https://web.mit.edu/21f.503/www/JSL/ (MIT Certificate required)
- You can listen to the audio, record your own voice and compare with the model by downloading a DLRecorder.
- Various audio materials for language learning and Japanese films
are available at FLLRC
(Foreign Languages & Literatures Resource Center). It is located at
Bldg., 16-644 and open from 5pm to 9pm, Sunday through Thursday. Take
advantage of the FLLRC facility and materials as frequently as possible.
Other Information
- You should try your best never to fall behind. Any student who feels he/she is behind is encouraged to see an instructor and discuss the situation with her before it is too late.
- The Humanities Concentration for Japanese is Japanese I-IV or II-IV. Make an appointment with Nagaya (Rm.14N-321, yoshimi@mit.edu) to obtain the necessary signature.
- If you are interested in HASS Japanese Minor, please consult Professor Ian Condry (Japanese Minor Advisor, condry@mit.edu ). Application form is avaiable at 14N-305, 14N-310, 14N-408 or 7-104.
- For Internship oppotunities: contact MISTI MIT Japan.
- If you are interested in studying abroad in Japan, please contact
Study Abroad and Distinguished
Fellowships Office (Rm.12-189, studyabroad@mit.edu). Shingu
(Rm.14N-232, ikue@mit.edu) is
available for consultation.
- For conversation practice: check out Japan
Lunch Table.
- Language Exchange with native speakers of Japanese: Application
form and information are available at MIT
Language Conversation Exchange.