Courses
All of the courses listed on this page count towards Notre Dame’s Global Engagement Certificate. For more information, visit the Center for the Study of Languages and Cultures website.
Japanese Language Courses
Below are the core language courses for the Japanese Program. Please check the Requirements page for which courses count towards your program of study. Please note that not all courses are offered every semester.
First Level
EALJ10001: Elementary Japanese I
This course is designed for students who have not studied Japanese language before. The goal of this class is to gain an acquisition of the four basic language skills in Japanese-reading, writing, speaking and listening. Students will learn to read and write Hiragana, Katakana and 20 Kanji. This course covers Chapters 1-4 in Nakama l.
EALJ10002: Elementary Japanese II
This course is a continuation of Elementary Japanese I. It is the second half of the two 3-credit course sequence (Elementary Japanese I and II) that covers the same materials as the 5-credit First Year Japanese I. Upon completion of this course, students will be ready to enroll in First Year Japanese II (5 credits) in the following spring semester.Students will continue their acquisition of the four basic language skills in Japanese: reading, writing, speaking, and listening. The emphasis of the course will be on mastery of the fundamental grammatical structure of Japanese through aural-oral exercises and practice. The course covers Chapters 4-7 of NAKAMA 1. Mastery of hiragana, katakana and kanji, taught in EALJ 10001, is assumed. Additional 40 kanji will be introduced.
EALJ10111: First Year Japanese I
This course is designed for students who have not studied Japanese language before. The goal of this class is to gain an acquisition of the four basic language skills in Japanese-reading, writing, speaking and listening. Students will learn to read and write Hiragana, Katakana and Kanji. This course covers Chapters 1-6 in Nakama l . First year Japanese I is a 5 credit course; students should enroll in one MWF (EALJ 10111) section and one TR (EALJ 11111) lab.
EALJ10112: First Year Japanese II
This course is a continuation of First Year Japanese I. It is the second half of the two 5-credit course sequence (First Year Japanese I and II).
EALJ10121: First Year Readings in Japanese I
In this course, students choose their own Japanese reading materials from the Hesburgh Library Collection and read them independently at their own pace using the Extensive Reading method. Tadoku (Extensive Reading) means to read books for students' own pleasure, at a difficulty level at which they can read smoothly and quickly without looking up words or translating. Students will read many books that are at or slightly below the level at which they read fluently, while the instructor carefully monitors their reading behavior and gives advice and suggestions. Students will gradually develop vocabulary and kanji knowledge, prediction skills, and skills to read more complex sentences with ease. The focus of the class will be individual reading activity and consultations with the instructor. Additional activities, such as group discussions, journal writing, presentations, and shadowing may be incorporated into the class.
EALJ10122: First Year Readings in Japanese II
This course is a continuation of First Year Readings in Japanese I.
EALJ11111: First Year Japanese I Drill
EALJ 11111 is the lab corequisite of EALJ 10111.
EALJ11112: First Year Japanese II Drill
EALJ 11111 is the lab corequisite of EALJ 10112.
Second Level
EALJ20211: Second Year Japanese I
This course is designed for students who have completed one year of college-level Japanese or its equivalent. Students will build on their acquisition of the four basic language skills of reading, writing, speaking and listening from first year; they will increase their fluency in both speaking and listening, construct increasingly longer and more complex sentences, and recognize and produce approximately 420 kanji. This course covers Chapters 7-12 in Nakama I. Second Year Japanese I is a 5 credit course; students should enroll in one MWF (EALJ 20211) section and one TR (EALJ 21211) lab.
EALJ20212: Second Year Japanese II
This course is a continuation of Second Year Japanese I. It is the second half of the two 5-credit course sequence (Second Year Japanese I and II).
EALJ20251: Second Year Readings in Japanese I
In this course, students choose their own Japanese reading materials from the Hesburgh Library Collection and read them independently at their own pace using the Extensive Reading method. Tadoku (Extensive Reading) means to read books for students' own pleasure, at a difficulty level at which they can read smoothly and quickly without looking up words or translating. Students will read many books that are at or slightly below the level at which they read fluently, while the instructor carefully monitors their reading behavior and gives advice and suggestions. Students will gradually develop vocabulary and kanji knowledge, prediction skills, and skills to read more complex sentences with ease. The focus of the class will be individual reading activity and consultations with the instructor. Additional activities, such as group discussions, journal writing, presentations, and shadowing may be incorporated into the class.
EALJ20252: Second Year Readings in Japanese II
This course is a continuation of Second Year Readings in Japanese I.
EALJ21211: Second Year Japanese I Drill
EALJ 21211 is the corequisite lab of EALJ 20211.
EALJ21212: Second Year Japanese II Drill
EALJ 21212 is the corequisite lab of EALJ 20212.
Third Level
EALJ30311: Third Year Japanese I
A course designed for students who have completed two years of college-level Japanese. Students will expand their vocabulary and learn approximately 300 new kanji words. They will develop their understanding of Japanese culture, comparing the cultural differences between their own society and that of contemporary Japan. Students will build on their reading, writing, speaking, and listening abilities, conversing in paragraphs, not just sentences, practicing narration and description, and applying more critical and analytical reading and interpretive skills . Third year Japanese is a 4 credit course; students must enroll in both the class and the lab.
EALJ30312: Third Year Japanese II
This course is a continuation of Third Year Japanese I. It is the second half of the two 5-credit course sequence (Third Year Japanese I and II).
EALJ30351: Third Year Readings in Japanese I
In this course, students choose their own Japanese reading materials from the Hesburgh Library Collection and read them independently at their own pace using the Extensive Reading method. Tadoku (Extensive Reading) means to read books for students' own pleasure, at a difficulty level at which they can read smoothly and quickly without looking up words or translating. Students will read many books that are at or slightly below the level at which they read fluently, while the instructor carefully monitors their reading behavior and gives advice and suggestions. Students will gradually develop vocabulary and kanji knowledge, prediction skills, and skills to read more complex sentences with ease. The focus of the class will be individual reading activity and consultations with the instructor. Additional activities, such as group discussions, journal writing, presentations, and shadowing may be incorporated into the class.
EALJ30352: Third Year Readings in Japanese II
This course is a continuation of Third Year Readings in Japanese I.
EALJ 30361: Third Year Listening in Japanese I
This class consists of two parts. One is a group discussion led each time by one of the students, who chooses a topic on real-world events and social issues by using various media resources. The other part is individual listening/viewing activities with authentic contexts. Students choose their own audiovisual materials, such as news, movies, animations, music, or recitation, in order to increase their input and improve their overall language proficiency. Through these student-centered activities, students will be able to learn to express more complex ideas and opinions, cultivate critical thinking, work together in teams, and deepen their awareness to become global citizens.
EALJ 30362: Third Year Listening in Japanese II
This course is a continuation of Third Year Listening in Japanese I.
EALJ31311: Third Year Japanese I Drill
EALJ 31311 is the corequisite lab to EALJ 30311.
EALJ31312: Third Year Japanese II Drill
EALJ 31312 is the corequisite lab to EALJ 30312.
Fourth Level
EALJ40411: Fourth Year Japanese I
This is a course for students who have completed Third Year Japanese or its equivalent. Students will build on their acquisition of the four basic language skills: reading, writing, speaking and listening. Approximately 100 new kanji compounds will be introduced. Conversational skills include making travel plans and reservations, describing physical ailments, and discussing complaints and problems with a host family. This course covers parts of Chapters 10-12 in Chuukyuu No Nihongo (An Integrated Approach to Japanese), supplemented with authentic materials such as newspaper articles, video clips, and songs.
EALJ40412: Fourth Year Japanese II
This course is a continuation of Fourth Year Japanese I. It is the second half of the two 5-credit course sequence (Fourth Year Japanese I and II).
EALJ40451: Fourth Year Readings in Japanese I
In this course, students choose their own Japanese reading materials from the Hesburgh Library Collection and read them independently at their own pace using the Extensive Reading method. Tadoku (Extensive Reading) means to read books for students' own pleasure, at a difficulty level at which they can read smoothly and quickly without looking up words or translating. Students will read many books that are at or slightly below the level at which they read fluently, while the instructor carefully monitors their reading behavior and gives advice and suggestions. Students will gradually develop vocabulary and kanji knowledge, prediction skills, and skills to read more complex sentences with ease. The focus of the class will be individual reading activity and consultations with the instructor. Additional activities, such as group discussions, journal writing, presentations, and shadowing may be incorporated into the class.
EALJ40452: Fourth Year Readings in Japanese II
This course is a continuation of Fourth Year Readings in Japanese I.
EALJ 30361: Fourth Year Listening in Japanese I
This class consists of two parts. One is a group discussion led each time by one of the students, who chooses a topic on real-world events and social issues by using various media resources. The other part is individual listening/viewing activities with authentic contexts. Students choose their own audiovisual materials, such as news, movies, animations, music, or recitation, in order to increase their input and improve their overall language proficiency. Through these student-centered activities, students will be able to learn to express more complex ideas and opinions, cultivate critical thinking, work together in teams, and deepen their awareness to become global citizens.
EALJ 30362: Fourth Year Listening in Japanese II
This course is a continuation of Fourth Year Listening in Japanese I.
Advanced Level
EALJ50511: Advanced Japanese I
Advanced Japanese is a three-credit course for students who have completed EALJ 30312 or 40412. This course takes students beyond the grammar-centered approach of textbooks to the study and discussion of original materials produced in Japanese for everyday Japanese consumption. Course materials include excerpts from short stories, poetry, letters, social criticism, academic writing, newspaper articles, and video clips. Students may repeat the course more than once, as the content of the course changes according to the needs and interests of the students enrolled.
EALJ50512: Advanced Japanese II
This course is a continuation of Advanced Japanese I. It is the second half of the two 5-credit course sequence (Advanced Japanese I and II).
EALJ50551: Fifth Year Readings in Japanese I
In this course, students choose their own Japanese reading materials from the Hesburgh Library Collection and read them independently at their own pace using the Extensive Reading method. Tadoku (Extensive Reading) means to read books for students' own pleasure, at a difficulty level at which they can read smoothly and quickly without looking up words or translating. Students will read many books that are at or slightly below the level at which they read fluently, while the instructor carefully monitors their reading behavior and gives advice and suggestions. Students will gradually develop vocabulary and kanji knowledge, prediction skills, and skills to read more complex sentences with ease. The focus of the class will be individual reading activity and consultations with the instructor. Additional activities, such as group discussions, journal writing, presentations, and shadowing may be incorporated into the class.
EALJ50552: Fifth Year Readings in Japanese II
This course is a continuation of Fifth Year Readings in Japanese I.
EALJ 50561: Fifth Year Listening in Japanese I
This class consists of two parts. One is a group discussion led each time by one of the students, who chooses a topic on real-world events and social issues by using various media resources. The other part is individual listening/viewing activities with authentic contexts. Students choose their own audiovisual materials, such as news, movies, animations, music, or recitation, in order to increase their input and improve their overall language proficiency. Through these student-centered activities, students will be able to learn to express more complex ideas and opinions, cultivate critical thinking, work together in teams, and deepen their awareness to become global citizens.
EALJ 50562: Fifth Year Listening in Japanese II
This course is a continuation of Fifth Year Listening in Japanese I.
Japanese Literature Requirement Course Offerings
- Crimes of Passion (LLEA30315-01), taught by Michael Brownstein
- The Samurai: Classical Japanese Literature (LLEA33317-01), taught by Micheal Brownstein
- Masterpieces of Japanese Literature (LLEA33319-01), taught by Michael Brownstein
- Modern Japanese Literature (LLEA33320-01), taught by Marianne Tarcov
- Japanese Horror (LLEA33322-01), taught by Marianne Tarcov
- Japanese Apocalypse Literature (LLEA33323-01), taught by Marianne Tarcov
- Banned Books in Japan (LLEA33325-01), taught by Marianne Tarcov
Japanese Culture Requirement Course Offerings
- Crimes of Passion (LLEA30315-01), taught by Michael Brownstein
- Intro to Japanese Civ & Culture (LLEA30413-01), taught by Micheal Brownstein
- The Samurai: Classical Japanese Literature (LLEA33317-01), taught by Micheal Brownstein
- Masterpieces of Japanese Literature (LLEA33319-01), taught by Michael Brownstein
- Modern Japanese Literature (LLEA33320-01), taught by Marianne Tarcov
- Japanese Horror (LLEA33322-01), taught by Marianne Tarcov
- Japanese Apocalypse Literature (LLEA33323-01), taught by Marianne Tarcov
- Banned Books in Japan (LLEA33325-01), taught by Marianne Tarcov
Courses that do not count towards literature and culture requirement (not taught by EALC faculty) but can be used to complete remaining credits:
- Ancient Japan (LLEA30110-01), taught by Julia Thomas
- Green Japan (LLEA30111-01), taught by Julia Thomas
- Modern Japan (LLEA30602-01), taught by Julia Thomas
- The Early Modern Climate (LLEA30122-01), taught by Julia Thomas