If your future plans include working with the Japanese or in Japan,
this course is for you!  Whether you are aiming at being a business
manager, a lawyer, or a scholar, you will learn how to read, talk,
write, eat,  and drink like a Japanese professional (thinking like
one of them may be beyond us) in a small, juku-style setting. While
Japan’s concept of “globalization” is far from being realized, you
will have head start by being fluent in professional Japanese. In
the first part of the course, the students will acquire practical
skills that will facilitate their career.

The “academic” part of the course will be focused on training in
reading, discussion, and writing within the disciplines represented
by the students. Whatever each student majors in, the instructor
will choose current writings and topics that are appropriate for the
class’ reading.  We may begin our debates on the basis of a few
texts that may be useful across disciplines such as historian Amino
Yoshihiko, scientist Yoro Takeshi, and journalist Tahara Soichiro.

Course assignments: Throughout the semester, there will be practical
exercises such as an English translation of a short piece in
Japanese in the student’s discipline, a 2-page essay in response to
an article in Japanese, an oral report in Japanese on a chosen topic
in current news, a resume and a job application letter in Japanese,
and, in lieu of a term paper, a very short letter to  the editor for
publication in a Japanese newspaper.

Prerequisite: J401 or equivalent.
Enrollment limit: 10