Curriculum Overview 

Franklin & Marshall offers four years of Japanese language instruction, with more advanced study available on a tutorial basis. Many students of Japanese also participate in summer or semester abroad programs at such institutes as Hokkaido International Foundation (HIF), CET Osaka and Kyoto Consortium for Japanese Studies (KCJS).

At Franklin & Marshall, the Japanese program offers students the opportunity to develop communicative skills in Japanese. We emphasize the authentic use of the language rather than mere knowledge of vocabulary and grammar. We also host weekly tea hours in which various cultural aspects are introduced, as well as Japan-related lectures and events.

We introduce contemporary Japanese language within the appropriate cultural context, so students also gain the requisite awareness and skills that will enable them to function appropriately and successfully in modern Japanese society.

An Area Studies minor in Japanese may be arranged in consultation with Professor Douglas Anthony, Director of International Studies and Ken-ichi Miura, Director, Japanese Language Program.

Courses Offered 

A list of regularly offered courses follows. Please note the key for the following abbreviations: (A) Arts; (H) Humanities; (S) Social Sciences; (N) Natural Sciences with Laboratory; (LS) Language Studies requirement; (NSP) Natural Science in Perspective; (NW) Non-Western Cultures requirement; (WP) World Perspectives requirement.

101. Elementary Japanese I.
Introduction to contemporary Japanese language through cultural context. Developing listening, speaking, reading and writing skills, including mastery of the Hiragana and Katakana Japanese writing systems and introduction to Kanji characters. For students with no previous training in the language. Offered every Fall.
Miura

102. Elementary Japanese II.
Continued practice in listening, speaking, reading and writing skills of contemporary Japanese in cultural context. Further development of reading and writing Kanji characters. Prerequisite: JPN 101 or permission of instructor.     
Miura

201. Intermediate Japanese I. (NW) (LS)
Development of contemporary Japanese listening, speaking, reading and writing skills at the intermediate-low level through cultural context, including continued practice in reading and writing Kanji characters. Prerequisite: JPN 102 or permission of instructor. Offered every Fall.
Miura

202. Intermediate Japanese II. (NW) (H) (LS)
Continued development of contemporary Japanese listening, speaking, reading and writing skills at the intermediate level in cultural context, including handling a variety of informal and formal situations. Further practice in reading and writing Kanji characters. Prerequisite: JPN 201 or permission of instructor. Offered every Spring.     
Miura

221. Introduction to Japanese Popular Culture. (NW) (H)
Japan’s pop culture has gained great popularity all over the world. Such genres include anime, manga, and J-pop, to name a few. This course examines several major genres focusing on historical and cultural background, and their impact on Japanese society. Through reading the writings of notable cultural critics, students will learn to analyze each genre in depth as well as examine the interrelationship among them. Each student will choose his/her own research topic for a final presentation.  (Not offered in 2022-2023)          

301. Upper Intermediate Japanese I. (NW) (H)
Development of listening, speaking, reading and writing skills at the upper intermediate level of contemporary Japanese in cultural context, including handling a variety of informal and formal situations and continued practice in reading and writing Kanji characters. Prerequisite: JPN 202 or permission of instructor.   (Not offered in 2022-2023) 

302. Upper Intermediate Japanese II. (NW) (H)
Continued development of listening, speaking, reading and writing skills at the upper intermediate level of contemporary Japanese in cultural context, including handling a variety of informal and formal situations, as well as further practice in reading and writing Kanji characters. Prerequisite: JPN 301 or permission of instructor.  (Not offered in 2022-2023)

401. Upper Intermediate Japanese III. (NW) (H)
Development of listening, speaking, reading and writing skills at the upper intermediate to advanced level of proficiency in contemporary Japanese in cultural context, including handling a variety of informal and formal situations and continued practice in reading and writing Kanji characters. Introduction of some authentic audio-visual and reading materials. Prerequisite: JPN 302 or permission of the instructor.  (Not offered in 2022-2023)

402. Upper Intermediate Japanese IV. (NW) (H)
Development of listening, speaking, reading and writing skills at the upper intermediate to advanced level of proficiency in contemporary Japanese in cultural context, including handling a variety of informal and formal situations, as well as further practice in reading and writing Kanji characters. Further practice in handling some authentic audio-visual and reading materials. Prerequisite: JPN 401 or permission of the instructor.  (Not offered in 2022-2023)

Tutorials at more advanced levels may be arranged with the Director of the Japanese language program.

Topics Courses Expected to be Offered in 2022-2023 
  • Japanese through Cultural Context.