Universität Wien
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150105 VO Introduction to the Japanese Language (2024W)

3.00 ECTS (1.00 SWS), SPL 15 - Ostasienwissenschaften
MIXED

Registration for all classes, please (Introduction, Jap. Grammar I and Jap. Communication)
Moodle

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).
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Details

Language: English, Japanese

Examination dates

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

N.B. The lecture is online (Moodle/BBB), but the written exam is on site.

  • Tuesday 01.10. 13:00 - 16:00 Digital
  • Wednesday 02.10. 13:00 - 16:00 Digital
  • Friday 04.10. 13:00 - 16:00 Digital
  • Thursday 10.10. 15:00 - 18:00 Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
  • Tuesday 15.10. 15:00 - 18:00 Digital
  • Thursday 17.10. 15:00 - 18:00 Digital

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

Please direct questions concerning registration for BJ1 to the SSS/SPL, not the lecturers.

This lecture is a prerequisite for both Japanese Grammar I and Japanese Communication. However, passing the exam does not guarantee a spot in those courses. Regardless, they are all intended to be taken together in the same semester, please register for all three from the start.

The course will provide an overview of the features and structure of the Japanese language and writing system. Reading and writing of the hiragana and katakana syllabaries will also be covered. It is designed to prepare students for Japanese Grammar I and Japanese Communication later in the semester.

PREREQUISITES:
* proficiency in English - you should obviously be comfortable with the idea of studying a foreign language in English, C1 strongly recommended
* ability to commit ~3.5 h/day to the course on average (including on weekends)
* PC, stable broadband connection, technical means for teleconferencing and high-quality voice recording and image scanning
* advance registration
* textbook, see “reading list”
* being able to write hiragana and katakana beforehand is very strongly recommended [it cuts down on the time requirement significantly and gives you a head start; see “reading list”]

N.B. The Introduction lecture proper can be attended remotely, but you’ll need to be present on site in Vienna for the exam; all the follow-up courses are on site as well.

At the end of this course students should
* know some basic information about the Japanese language and writing system;
* be able to read and write hiragana and katakana with some fluency;
* have some familiarity with studying kanji (and have some 30-50 under their belt already);
* be able to input Japanese on a computer or smart device;
* know a few basic Japanese words, phrases and short dialogues.

The bulk of "face time" will be used for a series of introductory lectures, and questions. Time permitting, there may also be exercises during class, but in general revision, practice, and practical application will necessarily be left to self-study (and the main courses).
To that end, the e-learning platform offers forums, recordings of lectures from previous semesters, further reading, and other material to aid in self-study, especially of hiragana, katakana, and kanji.

Assessment and permitted materials

One exam at the end of the course, which may be held on site and/or online, written and/or oral (the precise mode varies between exam dates and is announced for each one separately).

Unless otherwise stated, no materials or aids are permitted. Students must do all work on their own, without any outside help. For the purposes of this stipulation, using machine translation services or other software that may be classified as AI counts as outside help as well. It should go without saying that plagiarism is strictly prohibited.
There is a strict zero tolerance policy regarding the above rules, at minimum students deemed in violation immediately fail the course and the reason will show up on their transcript.

N.B. Because of the tight timing, you effectively need to sit and pass the exam at the first opportunity to have a shot at getting into Grammar I and Communication this semester.

The first exam date has two components: a conventional on-site (hand-)written part (80 %) and an online part that covers oral aspects and typing (20 %).

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

More than 60 percentage points are required on the exam to pass the course (>60 → 4/D, >70 → 3/C, >80 → 2/B, >90 → 1/A).

Examination topics

Reading and writing hiragana and katakana including transcription using the modified Hepburn system. Everything covered in class and/or on the e-learning platform (Moodle), including, but not limited to, the presentations/slides, textbook, vocabulary & kanji lists, and forum discussions.

Reading list

Textbook: Bunka shokyū nihongo I. Tekisuto. Kaiteiban. Bonjinsha 2013 [ISBN 978-4-89358-858-6]
Available at Facultas bookshop in “Hof 1” on Campus.

Hiragana & katakana: https://www.tofugu.com/japanese/learn-hiragana/ and https://www.tofugu.com/japanese/learn-katakana/ for a playful start [please ignore the recommendation to skip learning to write them!], https://realkana.com/ to practise reading; http://www.japanese-lesson.com/characters/hiragana/hiragana_drill/ and http://www.japanese-lesson.com/characters/katakana/katakana_drill/ cover writing and offer worksheets you can download and print out.
These are just suggestions, there are countless free kana learning resources on the internet, feel free to pick one that fits your preferred style of learning.

Additional material may be distributed in class and/or via the e-learning platform (Moodle).

Association in the course directory

MA M1 for Ecos-students,
EC 154 Wirtschaftskommunikation Japanisch I

Last modified: Mo 13.01.2025 17:05