Japanese
The International Languages Department offers courses that provide the foundation for Japanese language study. They also satisfy either the humanities requirement for general education or the proficiency requirement in an international language when required for transfer. A bachelor's degree in an international language such as Japanese can lead to a career in advertising, broadcasting, consulting, translating, teaching, international service, public relations, social work, and sales.
Note: Students educated in a non-English speaking country through high school or equivalent will generally not earn lower-division transfer credit in their language at most universities. Students who might be affected by this rule should consult a counselor and/or the International Languages Department Chair before enrolling in their language courses.
Academic and Career Pathway: Languages, Communication, and Humanities
Contact Information
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Chair: Rosa E. Viramontes Dean: Jonathan Fohrman |
Department: International Languages Office: Building OC2700, 760.795.6844 |
Full-Time Faculty
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Emiko Kiyochi |
Associate Degree
Associate in Arts Degree
Japanese
The Japanese program offers lower-division preparation for students who plan on transferring to pursue a bachelor's degree in Japanese. Students planning to transfer and/or earn this associate degree may also need to complete additional requirements or electives required by the transfer institution, as many CSUs and UCs have unique admissions and preparation-for-the-major requirements. Students should meet with a MiraCosta College counselor to identify required courses and to develop a written plan for their targeted university.
To earn this associate degree, students must fulfill the following requirements:
- Complete a minimum of 60 degree-applicable units of credit (including major and general education courses).
- Complete all courses required in the major with a “C” or “P” or better.
- Complete a general education pattern of courses (see Associate Degrees).
- Obtain a minimum GPA of 2.0.
- Complete a minimum of 12 units in residence at MiraCosta College.
Program Student Learning Outcome Statement
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to
- communicate in the Japanese language at the Intermediate High level of ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) and N4 level of JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test).
- demonstrate awareness and appreciation of cultural differences of Japanese speaking communities in comparison to their own culture and the dominant culture of the United States.
| Required courses: | ||
| JAPN 101 | Elementary Japanese (First Semester) | 4 |
| JAPN 102 | Elementary Japanese (Second Semester) | 4 |
| JAPN 201 | Intermediate Japanese (Third Semester) | 4 |
| JAPN 202 | Intermediate Japanese (Fourth Semester) | 4 |
| Select three (3) units from the following courses. | 3 | |
| Introduction to Japanese Culture | ||
| Intermediate Conversation I and Reading | ||
| Total Units | 19 | |
Certificates
Certificate of Achievement
Japanese
This certificate benefits students who are interested in learning about and effectively interacting with Japanese culture and society. Completion of the certificate provides students with a solid introduction to Japanese language skills and culture. Students take the required language courses in the given sequence and choose an elective to emphasize either conversational skills in Japanese or advanced cultural competency in English.
Program Student Learning Outcome Statement
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to
- communicate in the Japanese language at the Intermediate High level of ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) and N4 level of JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test).
- demonstrate awareness and appreciation of cultural differences of Japanese speaking communities in comparison to their own culture and the dominant culture of the United States.
| Required courses: | ||
| JAPN 101 | Elementary Japanese (First Semester) | 4 |
| JAPN 102 | Elementary Japanese (Second Semester) | 4 |
| JAPN 201 | Intermediate Japanese (Third Semester) | 4 |
| JAPN 202 | Intermediate Japanese (Fourth Semester) | 4 |
| Select one of the following courses: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Japanese Culture | ||
| Intermediate Conversation I and Reading | ||
| Total Units | 19 | |
How to Read Course Descriptions
For more detailed information about a course, such as its content, objectives, and fulfillment of a degree, certificate, or general education requirement, please see the official course outline of record, available on the Courses and Programs webpage at http://www.miracosta.edu/governance/coursesandprograms/courseoutlines.html.
Courses
JAPN 101: Elementary Japanese (First Semester)
Units: 4
Prerequisites: None
Enrollment Limitation: Not open to students with prior credit in JAPN 102, JAPN 201, or JAPN 202.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 3.50 hours, laboratory 1.50 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
This course introduces contemporary Japanese and the Japanese writing system (hiragana, katakana, and selected kanji characters). It examines the language’s structure and emphasizes the development of language acquisition through listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Students learn about Japanese history, geography, and customs as well as about the relationship between language and culture. This course corresponds to the first two years of high school Japanese.
JAPN 102: Elementary Japanese (Second Semester)
Units: 4
Prerequisites: JAPN 101 or two years of high school Japanese with a C or better.
Enrollment Limitation: Not open to students with prior credit in JAPN 201 or JAPN 202.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 3.50 hours, laboratory 1.50 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
This course continues to develop Japanese language acquisition through listening, speaking, reading, and writing. It introduces more advanced kanji characters and reviews (recycles) first semester Japanese vocabulary and grammar. The course also continues to develop the student’s ability to read, interpret, and discuss Japanese-language narratives about newly introduced cultural aspects of the Japanese-speaking world. This course corresponds to the third year of high school Japanese.
JAPN 121: Introduction to Japanese Culture
Units: 3
Prerequisites: None
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 3 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Summer
This course introduces students to various aspects of Japanese culture and society. Areas of study include history, music, literature, philosophy, political ideas, customs, and Japan's influence on and contribution to the civilization of America and the world. The course does not require prior study of the language or culture.
JAPN 201: Intermediate Japanese (Third Semester)
Units: 4
Prerequisites: JAPN 102 or three years of high school Japanese with a C or better.
Enrollment Limitation: Not open to students with prior credit in JAPN 202.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 3.50 hours, laboratory 1.50 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall
This third course in the Japanese language sequence continues to develop Japanese language acquisition through listening, speaking, reading, and writing at the intermediate-mid level. It introduces more advanced kanji characters and reviews (recycles) first-year Japanese vocabulary and grammar. The course also continues to develop the student’s ability to read, interpret, and discuss Japanese-language narratives about newly introduced cultural aspects of the Japanese-speaking world. This course corresponds to the fourth year of high school Japanese.
JAPN 202: Intermediate Japanese (Fourth Semester)
Units: 4
Prerequisites: JAPN 201 or four years of high school Japanese with a C or better.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 3.50 hours, laboratory 1.50 hours.
Course Typically Offered: To be arranged
This fourth semester course in the Japanese language sequence continues to develop Japanese language acquisition through listening, speaking, reading, and writing at the intermediate-high level. Students practice writing in Japanese with kanji characters, review grammar and syntax, and expand their vocabulary and knowledge of idiomatic constructions. The course also continues to develop the student’s ability to read, interpret, and discuss Japanese-language narratives about Japanese history, geography, and culture.
JAPN 210: Intermediate Conversation I and Reading
Units: 3
Prerequisites: JAPN 102 or three years of high school Japanese with a C or better.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 3 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall or Spring
This course stresses oral communication and reading comprehension through cultural materials in order to improve and expand the student's conversational skills in Japanese. It emphasizes practical topics, fundamental and expanded vocabulary, and commonly used idioms. Students learn to employ Japanese in general discussions of assigned topics and simple dialogues. The course also reviews communicative functions.
JAPN 211: Intermediate Conversation II and Writing
Units: 3
Prerequisites: JAPN 210.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 3 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall or Spring
This continuation of JAPN 210 is intended for students who want to further enhance their skills in Japanese. The course stresses oral and written communication through cultural materials in order to improve and expand the student's conversational skills in Japanese. It emphasizes practical topics, fundamental and expanded vocabulary, and commonly used idioms. Students learn to employ Japanese in general discussions of a variety of culturally relevant topics and dialogues. The course also reviews and practices communicative functions.
JAPN 292: Internship Studies
Units: 0.5-3
Prerequisites: None
Corequisite: Complete 75 hrs paid or 60 hrs non-paid work per unit.
Enrollment Limitation: Instructor, dept chair, and Career Center approval. May not enroll in any combination of cooperative work experience and/or internship studies concurrently.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Course Typically Offered: To be arranged
This course provides students the opportunity to apply the theories and techniques of their discipline in an internship position in a professional setting under the instruction of a faculty-mentor and site supervisor. It introduces students to aspects of the roles and responsibilities of professionals employed in the field of study. Topics include goal-setting, employability skills development, and examination of the world of work as it relates to the student's career plans. Students must develop new learning objectives and/or intern at a new site upon each repetition. Students may not earn more than 16 units in any combination of cooperative work experience (general or occupational) and/or internship studies during community college attendance.
JAPN 296: Topics in Japanese
Units: 1-3
Prerequisites: None
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Lecture 1 hour.
Lecture 2 hours.
Lecture 3 hours.
Course Typically Offered: To be arranged
This course gives students an opportunity to study topics in Japanese that are not included in regular course offerings. Each Topics course is announced, described, and given its own title and 296 number designation in the class schedule.
