21F.504 Japanese IV Syllabus
Spring 2009

I. Instructors

新宮育枝　SHINGU, Ikue Rm.14N-232, x3-3543, ikue@mit.edu
Office Hours: MR 2:00-3:30 and by appointment

永富あゆみ NAGATOMI, Ayumi Rm. 14N-236, 452-2768, ayumi@mit.edu
Office Hours: TR 3:30-5:00 and by appointment


* Office Hours

II. Meeting hours and classrooms

Section 1     MTRF     10:00-11:00     Rm. 4-364
Section 2     MTRF     12:00- 1:00      Rm. 14N-325
Section 3     MTRF     1:00- 2:00        Rm. 14N-325

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.504 (Japanese 4) Course Packet (Available at MIT Copy Tech, Rm.11-004)

IV. Course objectives and procedures

This course covers JSL Lessons 17 through 22. It will further develop the four basic skills, speaking, listening, reading and writing, that students have acquired through Japanese I, II and III courses at MIT, with emphasis on oral communication skills in various practical situations. You will learn approximately 100 Kanji characters in this course.

FACT vs. ACT class sessions:
    The FACT classes cover grammar explanation, socio-cultural information and other important issues for using the language. The discussions will be primarily in English. Students must read the Structural Patterns ("SP"), Miscellaneous Notes("MN") and the Breakdowns (new vocabulary items) prior to each Fact class.

    The ACT classes focus on the actual use of the language. The aim is to integrate students' knowledge so far learned with newly learned patterns, and to communicate within the frame given in the class. Students will be asked to perform the assigned Core Conversations (CCs) and expected to be familiar with the drills assigned for each class. The pace of the class and coverage of the material are influenced by the readiness of each student. So, come to class well prepared! The ACT classes will be conducted entirely in Japanese. This course emphasizes active command of Japanese, not passive knowledge of grammar. Your goal is not simply to acquire the grammar and vocabulary, but the ability to use Japanese with appropriateness and increasing spontaneity.

!! IMPORTANT: Students should practice Core Conversations and Drills by listening to the tapes/audios (refer to VI. 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 (25-30 minute long) and an one-hour long exam. A Vocabulary Quiz is given in each FACT class, and there are also several Kanji quizzes throughout the semester.

C. Evaluation Method

Daily Grade (CC performance and drills)     
    Lesson Quizzes (x3)                                     
    Oral Interviews (x2)                                
    Hour Exam                                                   
    Vocabulary and Kanji Quizzes                    
    Homework                                                   
    Class Participation                                         
 25%*
20%**
15%
15%
10%***
10%
5%

* The 4 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.
  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 you are registered in, unless you have made official arrangements with the instructors at the beginning of the semester. 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 . You are expected to use these resources on your own as much as possible.

VII. Audio/Visual Materials

Other Information