Japanese Language Program
The Bi-College program in Japanese offers a full undergraduate curriculum in modern Japanese. By studying in our program, students may achieve a strong level of usable proficiency, which can be further heightened by studying abroad, an experience we strongly encourage. Students may complete a major in East Asian Studies or a minor in Chinese or Japanese.
The Japanese Program offers four years of instruction in modern Japanese. First-year Japanese (JNSE001-002), taught at Haverford, has two master sections and two drill sections per week. Students should register for one of the master sections and choose one of the drill sections (N.B.: Students cannot register just for a drill section). Second through Fourth-year Japanese (JNSE003-004, JNSEH101-102, and JNSEH201-202) all meet at Haverford. If you have any questions, please contact Yoko Koike (ykoike@haverford.edu) for clarification.
The first-year courses in Japanese (JNSE 001-002) meet five days a week. Both semesters must be completed in order to obtain credit.
Japanese Language Faculty
Hank Glassman, Associate Professor and Co-Chair
Office: Founders 125
hglassma@haverford.edu
Minako Kobayashi, Drill Instructor
Office: Founders 124
610-896-2902
Yoko Koike, Senior Lecturer, Director of Japanese Language Program
Office: Founders 126
610-896-1109
ykoike@haverford.edu
Kimiko Suzuki, Visiting Instructor
Office: Founders 124
610-896-2902
College Foreign Language Requirement
The College’s foreign language requirement may be satisfied by completing CNSE 003 and 004 with an average grade of at least 2.0 or with a grade of 2.0 or better in CNSE 004.
Japanese Language Placement Tests
Entering students who have already begun their study of Japanese (or have learned it at home) and who want to continue their studies must take the Japanese placement exam.
Day & Time: Thursday, August 27 , 8:30-10:00 a.m.
Location: Gest 101, Haverford College
There are two parts for the placement test:
- Part I: The Written Exam
The exam will focus on the student's abilities in grammatical skills, use of characters, and writing skills (approximately 40 minutes).
- Part II: The Oral Exam
This part will be administered as an interview with one of the Japanese faculty members. In this exam we will focus on the student's fluency, and correct usage of Japanese.
Once we combine the scores for both exams, we will place each student based on their performance in first-year through fourth-year Japanese. Placement results will be available through the Dean's Office on Friday. Interested students are encouraged to attend the Academic Fair 10:30 am-1:30 pm at Bryn Mawr College (Thomas Great Hall) following the exam, or the Academic Teas 1:00-3:00 pm on Friday, August 28 at Haverford College, where they could meet with a representative of the Japanese Program to discuss specific questions regarding the Japanese curriculum.
For further information, please contact Yoko Koike (ykoike@haverford.edu)
Study Abroad
The Department of East Asian Studies strongly recommends study abroad to maximize language proficiency and cultural familiarity. Because study abroad provides an unparalleled opportunity to study a culture from the inside, students spending a semester or year in China, Japan or Korea will be required to prepare an essay of 10 pages on some aspect of the society or culture of their host country. Sources for this essay may include course readings, magazines, novels, newspapers, television, or personal interviews. The essay may take up contemporary or historical themes.
Formal approval is required by the study abroad adviser prior to the student’s travel. Without this approval, credit for courses taken abroad may not be accepted by the East Asian Studies Department.
If studying abroad is not practical, students may consider attending certain intensive summer schools approved by the East Asian Studies Department. These plans must be worked out in concert with the department’s study abroad adviser and the student’s dean.
Japanese Language Courses
JPNSE H001, H002 First-year Japanese (Intensive)
An intensive introduction to the four basic skills (reading, writing, speaking and listening), with special emphasis on the development of conversational fluency in sociocultural contexts. Six hours per week of lecture and oral practice. This is a year-long course; both semesters are required for credit. (Koike)
JPNSE H003, H004 Second-year Japanese
A continuation of first-year Japanese, with a focus on the further development of oral proficiency, along with reading and writing skills. Five hours per week of lecture and oral practice. Prerequisite: First-year Japanese or equivalent. (Suzuki)
JPNSE H101, H102 Third-year Japanese
A continuation of language study with further development of oral proficiency. Emphasis on reading and discussing simple texts. Advanced study of grammar and kanji; introduction to composition writing. Three hours of class, one hour of oral practice. Prerequisite: Second-year Japanese or equivalent. (Suzuki)
JPNSE H201, H202 Fourth-year Japanese
Advanced Japanese language training with a focus on reading. Students in this course will learn many new kanji, will be introduced to classical Japanese grammar, will watch movies and films dealing with contemporary topics, and will continue to deepen their understanding of the Japanese language. Prerequisite: Third-year Japanese or equivalent and consent of the instructor. (Koike)
JNSE H480 Independent Study
Modern urban Japan: advanced readings in Japanese and English.
