Welcome to the Japanese Program

Department of Modern and Classical Languages

University of San Francisco

2130 Fulton Street, San Francisco, CA 94117

Contact: Noriko Nagata, Ph.D.

Phone: (415) 422-6227

Fax: (415) 422-6928

E-mail: nagatan@usfca.edu


General Description

 

Curriculum

 

Activities

 

Faculty

  • Noriko Nagata, Professor
  • Steve Roddy, Associate Professor
  • Kyoko Suda, Assistant Professor
  • Yumi Moriguchi, Adjunct Faculty
  • Yoko Otomi, Adjunct Faculty

 

Photograph: 1. & 2. Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island, Japan.

 

 

Japanese Program

Japan has become one of the most important countries for the U.S. in trade, economic policy, security, and cultural exchange. As the Bay Area is integrated into the economy and culture of the Pacific Rim, it becomes ever more desirable for Americans involved in business, scientific, and artistic activities to become familiar with Japanese language, customs and culture. The Japanese program at the University of San Francisco (USF) provides an exceptional opportunity to develop such expertise in a city alive with opportunities to apply what you have learned.

The four-year Japanese program at USF offers Japanese language, culture, literature, linguistics, art, religion, history, and business courses. Our language classes are small, allowing for personal interaction and communicative practice, and are enhanced by native-speaking tutors. Japanese language courses are the gateway to a range of unique cultural adventures available only at USF, such as calligraphy and Zen philosophy, popular culture, anime films, sushi making, and much more.

Another major attraction of the Japanese curriculum is Robo-Sensei, an award-winning artificial intelligence program that allows you to practice producing Japanese sentences and to receive immediate feedback on your progress while viewing beautiful and informative photographs about travel in Japan . Robo-Sensei is also an excellent tool for brushing up your grammar later when you visit Japan ---it's like having a teacher to consult whenever you need one!

The Japanese Major, Minor, and Advanced Certificates are designed to develop Japanese language skills and cultural awareness. Students are trained to become leaders in a multicultural world. They can pursue the Japanese Major, Minor, or Advanced Certificate concurrently with a major in business, pre-law, education, or other professional area. Knowledge of Japanese has proven to be a valuable asset to job-seekers in business, teaching, and government. This trend will continue into the next century as the U.S. and Japan become progressively more dependent upon one another.

The Japan Club at USF offers exciting opportunities for students to expand their knowledge of Japanese culture, art, society, and business, including the tea ceremony, Japanese music, films, food, and kimono.

USF supports an exchange program at Sophia University in Tokyo, a Jesuit institution, which is also one of the premier centers of higher learning in Japan.

The Bay Area provides excellent opportunities for professional internships at the Japanese Consulate, the Asian Foundation, the Japan Society, and other nonprofit entities and businesses.

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Photograph: 1.. Horyuji Temple, Goju-no-to (Pagoda c. 711, the oldest pagoda in Japan) in Nara, Japan; 2. Robo-Sensei CD Case; 3. Tiny Tourists in Nara, Japan (boy-girl pairs must hold hands).

 

 

University of San Francisco

 

The University of San Francisco (USF) is a private, Catholic, Jesuit university founded in 1855. The University's 55-acre hilltop campus overlooks Golden Gate Park, the Pacific Ocean, and downtown San Francisco -- one of the world's most international cities. With 8,500 students from approximately 88 countries, USF mirrors the cultural diversity of San Francisco and the Bay Area.

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Photograph: Kenrokuen Garden, Kotoji Lantern in Kanazawa, Japan.

 

Japanese Courses

Lower-division Courses

Lower-division students are required to meet once a week (one hour) in a group session with a Japanese-speaking tutor.

Japanese 101: First Semester Japanese (4 units)

This course will introduce basic Japanese grammar, vocabulary, and writing systems (katakana and hiragana), together with some relevant aspects of Japanese culture. It will focus on developing communicative conversational skills.

Japanese 102: Second Semester Japanese (4 units)

Prerequisite: Japanese 101 or equivalent competence as determined by the Department's placement test. Continuation of Japanese 101. Some basic kanji will be introduced. The course will focus on developing communicative conversational skills, and reading and writing skills.

Japanese 201: Third Semester Japanese (4 units)

Prerequisite: Japanese 102 or equivalent competence as determined by the Department's placement test. Continuation of Japanese 102. The student will learn more about Japanese grammar, vocabulary, conversation, kanji, and culture.   The course will focus on the development of skills in oral communication, reading, and writing in Japanese.

Japanese 202: Fourth Semester Japanese (4 units)

Prerequisite: Japanese 201 or equivalent competence as determined by the Department's placement test. Continuation of Japanese 201. This course will provide extensive practice for conversation, reading, and writing for advancement to the intermediate level of Japanese.

Japanese 191: Business Japanese 1 (4 units)

This course will introduce basic Japanese business communication and the Japanese writing systems (katakana and hiragana). The course is designed for beginners, so no prerequisite is required. It will focus on developing conversational skills in business contexts and on understanding Japanese business customs, manners, and structures.

Japanese 192: Business Japanese 2 (4 units)

Prerequisite: Japanese 191 or equivalent competence as determined by the Department's placement test. Continuation of Japanese 191. Kanji typically used for Japanese business will be introduced.

Japanese 193: Business Japanese 3 (4 units)

Prerequisite: Japanese 192 or equivalent competence as determined by the Department's placement test. Continuation of Japanese 192. This course will focus on developing business communication skills with relation to Japanese business customs, manners, and structures.

 

Upper-division Courses

Japanese 310: Zen and the Art of Japanese Calligraphy (4 units)

Prerequisite: none. The course aims to develop classical Japanese calligraphy skills and to engender a deeper appreciation of the calligraphic arts and of the role of Zen philosophy in Japanese culture. Appreciation of the form and beauty of the characters also makes them easier to remember. The course will provide a hands-on tutorial of basic brush strokes and painting techniques.

Japanese 301: Intermediate Japanese  (4 units)

Prerequisite: Japanese 202 or equivalent competence as determined by the Department's placement test. Continuation of Japanese 202. This course will expand grammar, vocabulary, and kanji to the advanced level of Japanese and provide extensive practice for conversation, reading, and writing. Offered every spring.

Japanese 302: Advanced Japanese (4 units)

Prerequisite: Japanese 301 or equivalent competence as determined by the Department's placement test. Continuation of Japanese 301. This course will include reading authentic materials (newspapers, periodicals, novels, etc.), discussing the materials in Japanese, and writing compositions.

Japanese 350: Japanese Culture (4 units)

Prerequisite: none. This course will introduce essential aspects of Japanese traditional culture. It is taught in English.

Japanese 351: Contemporary Japanese Culture (4 units)

Prerequisite: none. This course will explore various aspects of contemporary Japanese culture. It is taught in English.

Japanese 355: Japanese Literature in Translation (4 units)

Prerequisite: none. This course will introduce the classics of Japanese literature as well as works by the Nobel laureates. The course is taught in English.

Japanese 360: Japanese Calligraphy and Ink Painting (4 units)

Prerequisite: Japanese 310. The course aims to develop Japanese calligraphy and sumi-e (ink painting) skills, to introduce the history of Japanese painting, and to engender a deeper appreciation of the calligraphic and sumi-e arts.

Japanese 410: Introduction to Japanese Linguistics (4 units)

Prerequisite: Japanese 202 (or equivalent competence). This course aims to develop linguistic knowledge about the Japanese language. The course will focus on understanding the Japanese language in terms of history, lexicon, phonology, morphology, syntax, pragmatics, and sociolinguistics. Such linguistic training also provides essential background for teaching Japanese.

Language Courses for Asian Pacific Studies MA Students

These courses are offered in conjunction with the Asian Pacific Studies MA program. The courses include the use of state-of-the-art computer software. Tutoring sessions with Japanese native speakers will be arranged upon the students' request.

Japanese 610: Japanese Language 1 (4 units)

This course will introduce basic Japanese grammar, vocabulary, and writing systems (katakana and hiragana), together with some relevant aspects of Japanese culture. It will focus on developing communicative conversational skills. Offered every fall.

Japanese 611: Japanese Language 2 (4 units)

Prerequisite: Japanese 610 or equivalent competence as determined by the Department's placement test. Continuation of Japanese 610. Some basic kanji will be introduced. The course will focus on developing communicative conversational skills as well as reading and writing skills. Offered every spring.

Japanese 612: Japanese Language 3 (4 units)

Prerequisite: Japanese 611 or equivalent competence as determined by the Department's placement test. Continuation of Japanese 611. The student will learn more about Japanese grammar, vocabulary, conversation, kanji, and culture.   The course will focus on the development of skills in oral communication, reading, and writing in Japanese. Offered every summer.
 

Home

Photograph: 1. Calligraphy Demonstration at the USF Japan Club; 2. Nakasendo (Medieval Highway) in Kiso, Japan; 3. Dinner and Breakfast at Minshuku Fujiya in Kiso, Japan ; 4. Chatsubo Dochu Festival Dance (at the beginning of a road trip to bring tea to the Shogun in Edo Period) in Kiso, Japan; 5. Chatsubo Dochu Festival Performance (provincial lord's tea offering in sedan chair) in Kiso, Japan; 6. Traditional Archery Contest in Kiso, Japan; 7. Japanese Traditional Farmhouses in Hida, Japan; 8 Edo-period Government House in Takayama, Japan.

Japanese Major

The Major in Japanese Studies will provide a solid grounding in Japanese language, culture, literature, and linguistics, with 36 units of core courses covering each of these areas.  The program will also include 4 units of elective courses in Japanese history, religion, philosophy, economics, politics, art, and business.

Prerequisite:

Japanese 101: First Semester Japanese, 4 units

Japanese 102: Second Semester Japanese, 4 units

20 units of the following core courses:

Japanese 201: Third Semester Japanese, 4 units

Japanese 202: Fourth Semester Japanese, 4 units

Japanese 301: Intermediate Japanese, 4 units

Japanese 302:Advanced Japanese, 4 units

Japanese 410: Introduction to Japanese Linguistics, 4 units

 

16 units chosen from the following core courses:

Japanese 310: Zen and the Art of Japanese Calligraphy, 4 units

Japanese 350: Japanese Culture, 4 units

Japanese 351: Contemporary Japanese Culture, 4 units

Japanese 355: Japanese Literature in Translation, 4 units

Japanese 357: Naturalism in Japanese Literature, 4 units

Japanese 360: Japanese Calligraphy and Ink Painting, 4 units

Theology 368: Japanese Religons, 4 units

 

4 units chosen from the following elective courses:

History 382: Traditional Japan to 1868

History 383: Modern Japanese since Perry

History 387: History of U.S.- Japan Relations

Theology 395: (Special Topic) Religion in Contemporary Japan

Theology 395: (Special Topic) Zen Buddhism 

Philosophy 380: (Special Topics in Philosophy) Japanese Philosophy

Business 397: Japanese Study Tour

Internship in a Japanese-speaking organization

 

Course Descriptions

 

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Photograph: 1. Intersection at Shibuya Station, Tokyo; 2. Neon in Ginza, Tokyo, 3 . Roppongi Hills Sculpture in Roppongi, Tokyo.

Japanese Minor

The Japanese Minor is designed to develop your Japanese language skills and cultural awareness. To obtain the Japanese Minor, 24 units of the following courses are required.

16 units of the following language courses:

Japanese 101: First Semester Japanese, 4 units

Japanese 102: Second Semester Japanese, 4 units

Japanese 201: Third Semester Japanese, 4 units

Japanese 202: Fourth Semester Japanese, 4 units

 

8 units chosen from the following courses:

Japanese 310: Zen and the Art of Japanese Calligraphy, 4 units

Japanese 350: Japanese Culture, 4 units

Japanese 351: Contemporary Japanese Culture, 4 units

Japanese 355: Japanese Literature in Translation, 4 units

Japanese 357: Naturalism in Japanese Literature, 4 units

Japanese 360: Japanese Calligraphy and Ink Painting, 4 units

Japanese 410: Introduction to Japanese Linguistics, 4 units

 

Course Descriptions

 

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Photograph: 1. Nishi Tea Geisha District in Kanazawa, Japan; 2. Takayoshi Kido (Samurai) Residence in Hagi, Japan.

Japanese Advanced Certificate

The Japanese Advanced Certificate provides a more advanced credential than the Japanese Minor. It requires 32 units of the following courses.

20 units of the following language courses:

Japanese 101: First Semester Japanese, 4 units

Japanese 102: Second Semester Japanese, 4 units

Japanese 201: Third Semester Japanese, 4 units

Japanese 202: Fourth Semester Japanese, 4 units

Japanese 301: Intermediate Japanese, 4 units

 

12 units chosen from the following courses:

Japanese 302: Advanced Japanese, 4 units

Japanese 310: Zen and the Art of Japanese Calligraphy, 4 units

Japanese 350: Japanese Culture, 4 units

Japanese 351: Contemporary Japanese Culture, 4 units

Japanese 355: Japanese Literature in Translation, 4 units

Japanese 357: Naturalism in Japanese Literature, 4 units

Japanese 360: Japanese Calligraphy and Ink Painting, 4 units

Japanese 410: Introduction to Japanese Linguistics, 4 units

 

Course Descriptions

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Photograph: 1. Yukawa Family (Samurai) Residence in Hagi, Japan; 2. Tanaka Family (Samurai) Residence (later, residence of Kiichi Tanaka, Prime Minister in 1927-1929) in Hagi, Japan.

USF Japan Club

The Japan Club at USF is growing in membership and providing exciting opportunities for students to expand their knowledge about Japanese culture, society, business, and politics. The Club sponsors a variety of activities and events. You do not have to know Japanese in order to join -- you just need to be interested in Japan!

Staffed by student officers, the Japan Club also invites faculty to offer their knowledge and expertise. The Club makes use of the many Japanese-related events and resources in San Francisco and the Bay Area, including cultural demonstrations, the Japanese tea ceremony, the annual Cherry Blossom Festival in Japantown, and public lectures organized by the Japan Society. Cultural demonstrations include hands-on tutorials on writing Japanese calligraphy, receiving traditional tea, making and eating sushi, folding origami, and so forth.

For more information, contact Noriko Nagata (USF Japan Club Advisor) at (415) 422-6227.

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Photograph: Tea Ceremony at the USF Japan Club.

Study Abroad

Sophia University, a Jesuit University in Tokyo, is one of the premier learning institutions in Japan. Each year, three undergraduate students (for one year each) or six students (for one semester each) from USF may study at Sophia University while paying USF tuition. To be eligible, you must have attained junior standing and have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0. Prior knowledge of Japanese language is not required, but it will be helpful to live in Japan and to improve your Japanese skill.

At Sophia University, you may take liberal arts and business courses taught in English, intensive Japanese language courses, and courses taught in Japanese for advanced students. All courses must be approved in advance by your advisor and by USF's University Evaluator.

To apply for study at Sophia University, please contact Margaret Barrett, Director of Study Abroad Center at extension 2844.

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Photograph: Himeji-jo Castle in Himeji, Japan.

Research and Internship Opportunities

Students of Japanese may engage in research using the many resources available in close proximity, including those of UC Berkeley and Stanford, the Asian Foundation, the Japan Society, JETRO, and the Japanese Consulate.

Internships may also be possible at similar institutions as well as other nonprofit entities and businesses in the Bay Area.

In addition, local Japanese bookstores, cultural organizations, and media representatives provide a wide variety of up-to-date materials in numerous areas and disciplines.

San Francisco's strategic location on the Pacific Rim makes it ideally suited to the study of Japanese language and culture. Japan Town, the Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park, and other cultural organizations are just blocks from the USF campus. Slightly farther away in the financial district of the city, numerous Japanese corporations have opened major branch offices and subsidiaries, and one can hear Japanese spoken in virtually every neighborhood.

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Photograph: Takayama Festival Floats in Takayama, Japan.