Japanese Studies Course

This course is designed for international students who wish to study Japanese language
and culture for either one semester or two but have not yet reached the advanced level
of Japanese language proficiency required to understand mainstream lectures which
are taught entirely in Japanese.

It offers:
*Japanese language classes at four levels: basic, upper elementary, intermediate, and
upper-intermediate.
*Classes which explore subjects related to Japanese culture taught in English or with
English language support
*Internships for students at varying levels of language proficiency
*Independent studies for students who wish to engage in a research project of their own

Students are required to enroll in a minimum of seven classes each semester.

Spring Semester

Japanese language classes:

Basic Japanese A, B, C are a series of classes which cover the content of the first half of
basic Japanese (equivalent to that of JLPT N5). Students engage in beginner-level
speaking, listening comprehension, reading, writing, and grammar. Hiragana and
Katakana writing systems and 100 basic Kanji are introduced along with aspects of
Japanese culture. No background of Japanese language is required.

Upper Elementary Japanese A, B, C are a series of classes which cover the content of
the second half of basic Japanese (equivalent to that of JLPT N4). Further work is done
on beginner-level speaking, listening comprehension, reading, writing and grammar. An
additional 200 Kanji and aspects of culture are introduced.
Intermediate Japanese IA covers the content of lower intermediate level Japanese
(equivalent to JLPT N3). Further work is done on speaking, listening comprehension
and grammar. Additional Kanji and aspects of culture are introduced.

Intermediate Japanese IB, E are lower intermediate level reading classes.

Intermediate Japanese IC is a lower intermediate level writing class.

Upper Intermediate Japanese IA is an upper intermediate level speaking and listening

comprehension class. Students work on note-taking and simple academic presentations.

Upper Intermediate Japanese IB is an upper intermediate level reading comprehension

class. Students work with short essays related to the social sciences.

Upper Intermediate Japanese IC is an upper intermediate level essay writing class.

Students work on essays of 1,200-2,000 characters.

Upper Intermediate Japanese ID is an upper intermediate level grammar class.

Communicating with Native speakers of Japanese, offered in the mainstream

curriculum gives intermediate level students the opportunity to discuss familiar topics
with their Japanese peers. Extensive group work helps them grow accustomed to
speaking with native speakers of Japanese.

Classes related to Japanese culture taught in English or with

English language support

Crafts of the Tsugaru region introduces students to the work of the craftspeople of the
Tsugaru region. It considers the origins, techniques and social significance of Jomon
pottery, Aizome (indigo dying), Tsugaru-nuri (lacquer-ware), Kogin (embroidery) and
Neputa-e (a distinct form of painting used for neputa festival floats) and offers students
opportunities to try their hand at these crafts.(Instructor: Sawada)

Japanese war literature considers how postwar fiction, comics and picturebooks portray
WWII, and how the past is remembered in Japan. (Instructor: Sawada)
The world of Japanese picturebooks examines how the pictures and texts of
picturebooks might convey meaning, and the social mores which they transmit in Japan.
(Instructor: Sawada)

Traditional Japanese sports introduces the basics of Aikido, Kendo and Judo, and
enables students to experience the mental and physical discipline these sports offer.
(Instructor: Sawada)

Japanese food culture and green tourism enables students to deepen their
understanding of Japanese food culture and the green tourism it generates in northern
Japan.（Instructor: Sawada）

Anthropology of Japanese social structure offers an outline of Japanese society with a

particular focus upon reciprocity.(Instructor: Suwa)

Internships

Regional tourism in Japan offers international students with limited Japanese

proficiency an opportunity to collaborate with Japanese students to acquire practical
experience promoting regional tourism under the supervision of the Hirosaki Tourist
Convention Bureau. (Instructor: Sawada)

Internship IA - implementing regional tourism offers students the opportunity to

acquire practical experience in the tourist industry by training as guides during the
cherry blossom festival, under the supervision of the Hirosaki Tourist and Convention
Bureau. (Instructor: Sawada)

Internship IB – planning regional tourism offers students the opportunity to acquire

practical experience in the tourist industry by learning to plan itineraries under the
supervision of the Hirosaki Tourist and Convention Bureau. (Instructor: Sawada)

Internship IC – developing regional tourism offers students the opportunity to acquire

practical experience in the tourist industry by supporting a wide range of activities and
engaging in translation at a major tourist facility, Tsugaru Han Neputa
Mura.(Instructor: Sawada)
Internship ID – customer service in the accommodation industry offers students
training in customer service at major hotels in Hirosaki City. (Instructor: Sawada)

Internship IE - English teaching practice offers students with native or near-native

English proficiency first-hand experience of teaching in a Japanese elementary
school.(Instructor: Sawada)

Internship IF – developing regional tourism (intensive) offers students the opportunity

to acquire practical experience in the tourist industry by supporting a wide range of
activities and engaging in translation at a major tourist facility, Tsugaru Han Neputa
Mura at the beginning of their summer vacation.(Instructor: Sawada)

Internship IG – City promotion (intensive) offers students an opportunity to acquire

first-hand experience in municipal administration at the beginning of their summer
vacation.(Instructor: Sawada)

Fall Semester

Japanese Language classes:

Basic Japanese A, B, C are a series of classes which cover the content of the first half of
basic Japanese (equivalent to that of JLPT N5). Students engage in beginner-level
speaking, listening comprehension, reading, writing, and grammar. Hiragana and
Katakana writing systems and 100 basic Kanji are introduced along with aspects of
Japanese culture. No background of Japanese language is required.

Upper Elementary Japanese A, B, C are a series of classes which cover the content of
the second half of basic Japanese (equivalent to that of JLPT N4). Further work is done
on beginner-level speaking, listening comprehension, reading, writing and grammar. An
additional 200 Kanji and aspects of culture are introduced.

Intermediate Japanese IIA covers the content of lower intermediate level Japanese
(equivalent to JLPT N3). Further work is done on speaking, listening comprehension
and grammar. Additional Kanji and aspects of culture are introduced.
Intermediate Japanese IIB, IIE are lower intermediate level reading classes.

Intermediate Japanese IIC is a lower intermediate level writing class.

Upper Intermediate Japanese IIA is an upper intermediate level speaking and listening
comprehension class. Students work on note-taking and simple academic presentations.
Upper Intermediate Japanese IIB is an upper intermediate level reading
comprehension class. Students work with short essays related to the social sciences.

Upper Intermediate Japanese IIC is an upper intermediate level essay writing class.
Students work on essays of 1,200-2,000 characters.

Upper Intermediate Japanese IID is an upper intermediate level grammar class.

Intercultural Communication with Native speakers of Japanese, offered in the

mainstream curriculum gives intermediate level students the opportunity to discuss
familiar topics with their Japanese peers. Extensive group work and a camp also
attended by students from Akita University and Iwate University helps them grow
accustomed to speaking with native speakers of Japanese.

Classes related to Japanese culture taught in English or with

English language support:

Japanese consumption culture explores various aspects of contemporary culture such as

anime, cosplay, cosmetics, culinary, communal rituals etc. with analyses given from
cultural anthropology. (Instructor: Suwa)

Survey of the modern cultural history of Tsugaru takes students on a historical journey
from feudal times to the present. Lectures which focus on the history, folk beliefs, music,
literature and modernization of the Tsugaru region are interspersed with field trips
which enable students to gain an understanding of the region in which they
live.(Instructor: Sawada)
Modern Japanese literature and the formation of identity examines the works of
modern Japanese authors and their screen versions which illuminate the formation of
Japanese identity. (Instructor: Sawada)

Japanese women writers and their literature considers the evolution of gender roles in
Japan, illuminated by the works of modern women writers and their screen
versions.(Instructor: Sawada)

Japanese food culture and white tourism enables students to deepen their
understanding of Japanese food culture and the white tourism it generates in northern
Japan.（Instructor: Sawada）

Internships

Regional tourism in Japan offers international students with limited Japanese

proficiency an opportunity to collaborate with Japanese students to acquire practical
experience in promoting regional tourism under the supervision of the Hirosaki Tourist
Convention Bureau. (Instructor: Sawada)

Internship IIA - implementing regional tourism offers students the opportunity to

acquire practical experience in the tourist industry by training at a major tourist facility,
Apple Park, under the supervision of the Hirosaki Tourist and Convention
Bureau.(Instructor: Sawada)

Internship IIB – planning regional tourism offers students the opportunity to acquire
practical experience in the tourist industry by learning to plan itineraries under the
supervision of the Hirosaki Tourist and Convention Bureau. (Instructor: Sawada)

Internship IIC – developing regional tourism offers students the opportunity to acquire
practical experience in the tourist industry by supporting a wide range of activities and
engaging in translation at a major tourist facility, Tsugaru Han Neputa Mura.
(Instructor: Sawada)

Internship IID – customer service in the accommodation industry offers students

training in customer service at major hotels in Hirosaki City. (Instructor: Sawada)
Internship IIE - English teaching practice offers students with native or near-native
English proficiency first-hand experience of teaching in a Japanese elementary school.
(Instructor: Sawada)

Internship IIF – developing regional tourism (intensive) offers students the opportunity
to acquire practical experience in the tourist industry by supporting a wide range of
activities and engaging in translation at a major tourist facility, Tsugaru Han Neputa
Mura at the beginning of their winter vacation. (Instructor: Sawada)

Internship IIG – City promotion (intensive) offers students an opportunity to acquire

first-hand experience in municipal administration at the beginning of their winter
vacation. (Instructor: Sawada)

Independent studies

Students who wish to carry out a research project of their own may consult with an
instructor and receive supervision if their proposal is approved.