JAPAN 343 A: Japanese Language in Society

SUMMER 2019

MTWTh 4:10 – 6:50PM SAV 166

Office Hours: By Appointment (aohta@uw.edu)

Course Description:  This is a course about language and language minorities in Japan. Topics to be covered in lecture and course readings include Japanese dialects, standardization, bilingualism, code-switching between Japanese and English, and minority language communities and education (Okinawan languages, Ainu, Japanese Sign Language, Korean, Chinese, Portuguese, and English) in Japan.

Learning Objectives:

1. To be able to explain the linguistic and cultural diversity of Japan, including issues impacting language variation.
2. To understand social and educational issues as they relate linguistically diverse populations in Japan, including immigrants, dialect speakers, and Japanese people with different language backgrounds.
3. To develop critical analysis and oral/written communication skills through reading and discussion of the views of language majority and minority speakers in Japan in the context of Japanese society and public policy, and through guided research and writing.

Prerequisites:  Completion of Japan 213 or higher, or equivalent. Students from Japan are welcome in this course.

Required Materials: Reading assignments and documentary film (PDF files or links, depending on the reading material--see Canvas Assignments Summary.)

Course policies, grading categories' description, etc. are here.