The Japanese program offers three levels of instruction. You will build your language skills and cultural knowledge with various activities such as visiting Wa-Shin-An (the Japanese tea room at Mount Holyoke), reading short stories, writing blogs, and interviewing students from Japan.
You may choose to complete the minor in Japanese listed here or the major in East Asian Studies for which language study is a principal component.
Community Voices
Mengjia Wan ’14 Analyst, The Asia Group
Nondie Hemphill ’10 Law Clerk and Policy Analyst
At least 16 credits:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| As prerequisites, if needed: ASIAN-120, ASIAN-121 | ||
| Two Japanese language courses at the 200 level or higher | 8 | |
| An additional two 300-level courses in Japanese language | 8 | |
| Total Credits | 16 | |
The 100-level courses in Japanese (ASIAN-120 and ASIAN-121) are prerequisites to the intermediate and advanced courses below.
Course Offerings
ASIAN-222 Second Year Japanese I
Fall. Credits: 4
ASIAN-222 is the third-semester course in Japanese for those who have taken ASIAN-121 or have equivalent preparation in Japanese. Includes approximately 250 kanji. Students in this course learn to listen and comprehend conversations about more sophisticated topics they would encounter in daily life in Japan, such as conducting conversations in a hospital, expressing their plans and intentions, asking a favor, asking for and listening to navigation directions, and giving and receiving gifts. They learn how to interact with Japanese people in such situations with appropriate cultural manners in preparation for any potential stay in Japan such as for study abroad or an internship.
Applies to requirement(s): Humanities; Language
Prereq: ASIAN-121 or equivalent.
Advisory: ASIAN-121 or equivalent. Students with previous training in Japanese outside of MHC should consult Naoko Nemoto (nnemoto@mtholyoke.edu) for placement.
ASIAN-223 Second Year Japanese II
Spring. Credits: 4
ASIAN-223 is the fourth semester course in Japanese for those who have taken ASIAN-222 or have equivalent preparation in Japanese. Students in this course are taught to be able to explain procedures, ask and express opinions, understand and express complaints and apologies, while learning grammatical constructions such as passive, causative, causative-passive and different levels of politeness.
Applies to requirement(s): Humanities; Language
Prereq: ASIAN-222 or equivalent.
Advisory: Students with previous training in Japanese outside of MHC should consult Naoko Nemoto (nnemoto@mtholyoke.edu) for placement.
ASIAN-324 Third Year Japanese I
Fall. Credits: 4
This course helps students attain a higher level of proficiency in modern Japanese through the extended use of the language in practical contexts. The class will be conducted mostly in Japanese.
Applies to requirement(s): Humanities; Language
Prereq: ASIAN-223 or equivalent.
Advisory: ASIAN-223 or equivalent. Students with previous training in Japanese outside of MHC should consult Naoko Nemoto (nnemoto@mtholyoke.edu) for placement.
ASIAN-326 Third Year Japanese II
Spring. Credits: 4
This course continues ASIAN-324, Third Year Japanese I. It emphasizes attaining a higher level of proficiency in modern Japanese through the extended use of the language in practical contexts. The class will be conducted mostly in Japanese.
Applies to requirement(s): Humanities; Language
Prereq: ASIAN-324 or equivalent.
Advisory: ASIAN-324 or equivalent. Students with previous training in Japanese outside of MHC should consult Naoko Nemoto (nnemoto@mtholyoke.edu) for placement.
The Department of Asian Students helps students explore the rich and extremely diverse cultures of Asia, home to some 60 percent of humanity.
