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Recommended Classes for International Students
Japanese F嘥(1)/(2)
- This course is designed for beginner students in the study of the Japanese language. Students will be introduced to reading, writing, and speaking modern Japanese. The fundamentals of grammar, pronunciation, vocabulary and conversation will be established if students take Japanese F嘥 - F嘩.
The course aims to :
1) learn how to read and write hiragana, katakana, and simple kanji
2) have a basic understanding of sentence structures, grammar and vocabulary of Japanese
3) be familiar with commonly used phrases in daily communication with the university community
Japanese F嘦(1)/(2)
- This course is designed for the students who attended Japanese F嘥. Students will be introduced to reading, writing, and speaking modern Japanese. The fundamentals of grammar, pronunciation, vocabulary and conversation will be established if students take Japanese F嘥 - F嘩.
The course aims to :
1) learn how to read and write kanji
2) have a basic understanding of sentence structures, grammar and vocabulary of Japanese
3) be familiar with commonly used phrases in daily communication with the university community
Japanese 俥嘨
- This course is designed for the students who attended Japanese F嘦. Students will be introduced to reading, writing, and speaking modern Japanese. The fundamentals of grammar, pronunciation, vocabulary and conversation will be established if students take Japanese F嘥 - F嘩.
The course aims to :
1) learn how to read and write kanji
2) have a basic understanding of sentence structures, grammar and vocabulary of Japanese
3) be familiar with commonly used phrases in daily communication with the university community
Japanese 俥嘩
- This course is designed for the students who attended Japanese F嘦. Students will be introduced to reading, writing, and speaking modern Japanese. The fundamentals of grammar, pronunciation, vocabulary and conversation will be established if students take Japanese F嘥 - F嘩.
The course aims to :
1) understand Japanese used in everyday situations to a certain degree
2) learn how to read and write kanji
Japanese JI
- The objective is to raise the basic Japanese proficiency of people who have intermediate level Japanese proficiency (Japanese Proficiency Test levels N4 and N3) to the required proficiency for everyday life when studying abroad at a university-level. Intermediate level grammar study is used to read and understand sentences written using basic vocabulary and Chinese characters. Reliable basic Japanese language skills are also cultivated through listening practice, composing short sentences, and conversation practice. Supplementary teaching materials are used for proper reading comprehension. Homework is assigned in almost every class. Classes proceed according to the text. The plan is to use 乬TRY! Japanese Proficiency Test N3: Expanded Japanese language through grammar (revised edition)乭 as the text, but learner purchasing the text will be needed after the explanation in the first class.
Japanese J嘦
- TThe objective is to raise the basic Japanese proficiency of people who have intermediate level Japanese proficiency (Japanese Proficiency Test levels N4 and N3) to the required proficiency for everyday life when studying abroad at the university-level. Intermediate level grammar study is used to read and understand sentences written using basic vocabulary and Chinese characters. Reliable basic Japanese language skills are also improved through listening practice, composing short sentences, and conversation practice. Supplementary teaching materials are used for proper reading comprehension. Homework is assigned in almost every class. Classes proceed according to text followed in Japanese JI. The plan is to use 乬TRY! Japanese Proficiency Test N3: Expanded Japanese language through grammar (revised edition)乭 as the text, but learner purchasing the text will be needed after the explanation in the first class.
Topics on Japan A/B
- The students will learn the Japanese language through the study of Japanese literature and culture. Japanese literature is a reflection of the people乫s lives and mentality. By reading materials covering a wide range of periods from the classics to contemporary works, students will gain basic knowledge of Japanese literature and understand various types of literary terms and ideas. Since the majority of the current Japanese culture was established during the early-modern era (the Edo period), in this class, the students will study in depth the culture of the period, mainly through theatre. They will also give presentations of their opinions in Japanese and improve on their writing skills.
Japanese 嘥A, 嘥B, 嘥C, 嘥D:
- Intended for those at an intermediate level of Japanese proficiency (equivalent to Level 1 of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test). The course will cover the practice and examination of overall language skills including vocalization, Chinese characters and script, vocabulary, grammar, sentence patterns, listening, speaking, writing, and so forth. The main goal of the course is to be able to read materials written for native speakers of Japanese and use dictionaries as an aid for private study.
Further, students will develop a deeper understanding of Japan and will gain mastery of the language necessary in their fields of study.
Japanese 嘦A, 嘦B:
- Intended for those at an advanced level of Japanese proficiency (above Level 1 of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test). The course provides training for high-level skills in listening and speaking through the study of video materials and deepens the knowledge of Japanese society and culture.
The main goal of the course is to develop skills to hold discussions with native speakers of Japanese.
Japanese 嘦C, 嘦D:
- Intended for those at an advanced level of Japanese proficiency (above Level 1 of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test). The course provides training for high-level skills in reading and writing through the study of critiques, essays, novels, and other materials and also deepens the knowledge of Japanese society and culture.
The main goal of the course is to write at a university level.
Career Design Seminar A(19/20) : Business Japanese
- This course is for international students who want to get jobs in Japan or apply for Japanese companies in their own countries. Students taking this course learn business manners, honorific expressions, write e-mails suitable for practical business situations, and practice self-advertisement needed for job hunting. In addition, students have opportunities to think about Japanese corporate cultures and communication. This course offers many kinds of practice, so students are required to participate in this course actively.
The course aims to :
This course will help international students, who want to have jobs in Japan or consider working at Japanese companies in their own countries, to do their job hunting more easily and to have more options of companies they apply for.
Courses in English
Japanese Culture and History A/B
- The students will examine how ideas and thought processes have been expressed through words throughout history, while taking into account the history and culture of Japan. One literary work from each period, from ancient times to the modern era, will be presented during this class. The students will then analyse the use of language and ideas of the Japanese people against a backdrop of the state of the nation and culture of that time period.
Contemporary Japanese Society A/B
- Japanese history, culture, and values are often factors in situations that newly arrived foreigners experience in their daily lives. Using these experiences as their starting point, the students will explore the context through the use of a wide range of visual resources including images. Themes presented during this class include: 乪reflection of Japanese sensitivity found in manners and communication乫, 乪women/youth and the political decision-making process乫, and 乪women in modern Japan乫, all of which will help the students gain a deeper understanding of Japanese society and culture.
Traditional Japanese Culture A
- The students will acquire basic knowledge recommended for international students studying at a Japanese university. The topics include: Japanese daily life (food, education, and work), Japanese culture (seasonal traditions, tourist attractions, traditional arts, and religion), theories of the Japanese people (Japanese mentality), and Japanese history and society (mainly focusing on modern history).
Traditional Japanese CultureB
- Introduction to Japanese culture. Themes include: tea ceremony, flower arrangement, Japanese hairstyles and cosmetics, kimonos, Japanese cuisine, Japanese-style inns, and hot springs. The students will gain a wider knowledge of Japanese culture while experiencing first hand these various topics.
Modern Japanese Literature and Media A/B
- This course provides students with a general survey of modern Japanese literature from the late 19th century to 1945. Through the analysis of major works it examines how Japanese literature has evolved during this period, and how literary expression and social change have affected each other.
Others (These subjects are offered in Japanese.)
NARA Studies
- Nara: your home away from home. This class will introduce the students to the city of Nara from multiple viewpoints. Built around the keyword Nara, this class is taught in relay lecture format and will serve as an introduction, while allowing the students to experience many aspects of life at Nara Women乫s University.
Nara-gaku (plus)
- Students are given lectures from guest speakers working in companies, local government and educational institutes in Nara, find what kind of problems Nara has as a local community and then think about the solutions to the problems. This course will encourage students to think about their own careers from various perspectives, taking into account the messages guest speakers give them, and to play active roles in Nara.
The course aims to :
This course will help students to have basic understanding about Nara, to find some problems and solutions to them, and to express their own thoughts or findings. Also this course is expected to cultivate local leaders in the future who have firsthand knowledge.
Introduction to Gender Studies
- The students will analyse various events in our everyday lives from the gender perspective with the help of lectures given in relay lecture format by the university乫s professors and guest speakers. They will also explain how gender is intricately linked to many dimensions of our everyday lives using various case studies. The objectives of this lecture include:
1. Understanding the importance of utilising the concept of gender
2. Understanding where Japanese society stands in relation to gender issues by examining relevant statistics
3. Acquiring the basic knowledge of the differences between the sexes based in biology
4. Recognising gender embedded in our language
5. Recognising the relationships between gender and the military, and gender and art
6. Legal system revised from a gender perspective
Practice of Sports Skills C4丂( Kendo 仌 Naginata)
- This class will encourage camaraderie amongst students while they practice Kendo and Naginata, two forms of Japanese martial arts known for their vigorous competitiveness. We encourage students to give it a try and experience an invigorating form of mental and physical exercise unique to martial arts.
- This class will introduce the students to basic behavioral manner, breathing and voice exercises in Kendo as well as how to wear the traditional uniform. Towards the end, they will understand the principles of various poses and techniques based on "Kata" and be able to practice them.
Introduction to Japanese Art History
- The students will learn about the methods employed in the study of Japanese/Oriental art history using works of art currently in existence. The theme for 2015 is 乪Reading the Picture乫.
Japanese Culture and Theory
- Ancient temples and art in Nara: Nara, where our university is located, is without a doubt a treasure chest of cultural assets. In this lecture, the students will be exposed to various Buddhist statues and images preserved at ancient temples and shrines located around the university. They will also analyse the place these cultural legacies occupy within the changes that Japanese culture has experienced throughout history. Last year, we presented temples in Nara Prefecture (Taimadera, Muroji, and others); however, this year, we will be presenting temples in the city of Nara (Todaiji, Kofukuji and others) as well as those located in the southern part of Kyoto Prefecture (Kanimanji and others). There will also be slide presentations during the lecture.
Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
- General information will be provided on some of the important topics of cultural anthropology, namely, life rituals, family structure (form of marriage, bloodlines, and kinship terminology), and cultural representation (language, religion, and rites).
Special Studies in Cultural Anthropology
- We will explore the relationship between rice farming and agricultural rites/religious ritual performances by examining the agricultural rites of the Yamato Basin, its regional characteristics and historical development. This lecture is offered every two years during the spring or fall term. In the spring term, festivals that take place in the spring or summer will be used as course material while festivals that take place in the fall and winter (including New Year乫s Day) will be discussed in the fall/winter term.
Career Design Seminar B (37/38)丗International Group Work A/B
- International cooperative group work for international and Japanese students: This class will offer students an opportunity to participate in intercultural communication and has been designed for international students who wish to find Japanese-speaking employment or Japanese students who wish to work for global companies. Common issues that are faced in the everyday lives of international and Japanese students alike will be discussed, for which solutions will then be proposed. Approximately ten international and ten Japanese students will be registered for this course. As a rule, the group work is to be conducted in Japanese; however, other languages can also be used depending on the composition of the group.