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

  1. Japanese: the Spoken Language, Part 1 and 2, by Eleanor H. Jorden with Mari Noda, Yale University Press, l987 (available at Kendall Coop)
  2. 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.

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 and come to class well-prepared. Missing more than five classes without valid excuses may result in failing the course.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.

VII. Audio/Visual materials

Other Information

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. For Internship oppotunities: contact MISTI MIT Japan.
  5. 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.
  6. For conversation practice: check out Japan Lunch Table.
  7. Language Exchange with native speakers of Japanese: Application form and information are available at MIT Language Conversation Exchange.