JAP11 Japanese (A2)

• Topics

  China and Japan are among the world's leading economies, yet many economic studies offer only a limited focus on East Asia. There is a growing need for professionals with insider knowledge of this region—something this course aims to provide. JAP11 Japanese (A2) focuses on developing an understanding of Japanese business culture and communication while equipping students to use Japanese effectively in both social and professional contexts.

• Learning outcome

  Upon successful completion of the course, the student will have attained the following:

  Knowledge

  • Has knowledge about Japanese business culture and communication.

  Skills

  • Can read and write hiragana, katakana and approx. 180 kanji.
  • Can participate in social exchanges about daily topics (working life, family, the local environment, study life, etc.) and communicate in situations related to business travels in Japan.
  • Can produce simple, coherent texts on everyday topics.
  • Can recognize various levels of politeness, from informal to highly formal (keigo).

  General competence

  • Is able to reflect on how language and culture influence business communication.
  • Shows understanding and respect for other ways of thinking and acting in professional contexts.

• Teaching

  The course is organised as interactive group teaching, combining lectures, group work, writing, and reviewing assignments. The course requires a high level of active participation throughout.

• Recommended prerequisites

  Those who choose this course should have some prior knowledge of Japanese at the A1 (CEFR) level. If in doubt, contact the course coordinator. If you have already completed JAP10, you are qualified for this course.

• Compulsory Activity

  Submission of six chapters from the workbook for Genki I.

  Previously approved compulsory activity is still valid.

• Assessment

  2-hour digital home exam and a fieldwork report (1500-2000 words) added as an attachment to the exam answer (50%). The students will work on the field report throughout the semester before the final submission during the exam.

  Individual oral exam, lasting 15 minutes: A conversation in Japanese on everyday topics and questions related to an unseen text (50%).

  The written and oral exams receive separate grades. Both parts must be passed in the same semester, and both parts must be retaken in case of a resit.

  This course does not offer assessment in the non-teaching semester.

• Grading Scale

  Scale A-F

• Literature

  Banno et al. (2020). Genki I (3. utgave). An Intergrated Course in Elementary Japanese. The Japan Times.

  Banno et al. (2020). Genki I (3. utgave). An Intergrated Course in Elementary Japanese. Workbook. The Japan Times.

  Nishiyama, Kazuo (2000). Doing Business with Japan. Successful Strategies for Intercultural Communication. Honolulu: University of Hawai'i Press.

  Rygg, Kristin. (n/d). Japansk forretningskommunikasjon/Japanese Business Communication. Teaching Material.