2026 (Current Year) Faculty Courses Liberal arts and basic science courses Japanese language and culture courses

Japanese Culture 2: Strategic approach to Japanese and culture 3QB

Academic unit or major: Japanese language and culture courses
Instructor(s): Fumie Wakamatsu
Class Format: Exercise
Media-enhanced courses: -
Day of week/Period (Classrooms)
Class: 3QB
Course Code: LAJ.T502
Number of credits: 010
Course offered: 2026
Offered quarter: 3Q
Syllabus updated: Mar 5, 2026
Language: English

Syllabus

Course overview and goals

This course explores the Japanese language and culture through topics such as language, art, and music. Special attention is given to aspects that may be particularly engaging from the perspective of international students. Through the study of culture, students will also learn communication strategies in Japanese.

Course description and aims

Through this course, students will become aware of aspects of the Japanese language and culture that they may not have noticed before. They will also develop a deeper interest in questions and issues related to Japanese culture.

Keywords

Japanese culture, Japanese people, Japanese language, arts, music, cross-culture

Competencies

Specialist skills
Intercultural skills
Communication skills
Critical thinking skills
Practical and/or problem-solving skills

Class flow

Discussion in a small group and presentation.

Course schedule/Objectives

	Course schedule	Objectives
Class 1	Japanese Culture: Learning strategies; The first contact; The purpose of conversation Activity: Natural Speaking 7	How do we maximize our learning chances in Japan? Dictation: Week 1
Class 2	Video 1: How to catch Japanese words in Movie, Video, or TV. Language: Particle 1; Verb conjugation Activity: Natural Speaking 8	How to behave yourself as natural as possible; Dictation Week 2
Class 3	Video 2: How to catch Japanese words in Movie, Video, or TV. Language: Particle 2 Activity: Natural Speaking 9	How to spend your daily life to increase learning chance Dictation Week 3
Class 4	Japanese Culture: Food taste expressions Language: Verb conjugation Activity: Natural Speaking 10	How to keep speaking Japanese Dictation Week 4
Class 5	Strategy: Giving responses--Aizuchi words Listening : How to catch Japanese words in song lyrics Activity: Natural Speaking 11 and 12	How to listen to Japanese songs Dictation Week 5
Class 6	Visiting an elementary school.	Stating your impressions of Japanese School System. Dictation: Week 6
Class 7	Japanese Culture: Behavior and Manner Listening : How to catch Japanese words in song lyrics Activity: Natural Speaking 13 Examination	Writing a report.

Study advice (preparation and review)

To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
D4E(Dictation for Every day) is mandatory to practice dictation every day.

Textbook(s)

Not specified.

Reference books, course materials, etc.

Not specified.

Evaluation methods and criteria

This course is graded on a pass/fail basis.
The final grade is calculated as follows: 40% for assignments (sub-reports and daily dictation homework), 10% for presentations and class discussions, and 50% for the final examination.

Related courses

LAJ.T501 ： Japanese Culture 1: Strategic approach to Japanese and culture

Prerequisites

For students who have successfully completed "Basic Japanese 2" (LAJ.J412) or the equivalent level, but have not reached "Intermediate Japanese 3" (LAJ.J423) level. Class discussions will be conducted in English.

Other

You must reserve your seat of this class in advance using Japanese class online system (http://js.ila.titech.ac.jp/~web). You will not be allowed to take a seat without your reservation.