JAPN-3013: Business Japanese

Course Description: This course is designed to improve pre-advanced or advanced students’ interpretive, interpersonal, and presentational communication skills through business case studies. Using recent periodicals, broadcast news, and business-related printed/audio-visual resources, students will (a) develop knowledge of current business practices and trends in Japan, corporate organization and structure, Japanese managerial style and personnel relations, and topics related to Japanese economy, industry and foreign trade; (b) improve interpretive communication skills to obtain information from authentic printed/audio-visual materials featuring a Japanese company’s marketing strategies; (c) learn advanced business-related vocabulary and expressions to improve interpersonal and presentational communication skills that are required in a professional setting; (d) expand their own perspectives on Japanese business and learn to articulate them, both orally and in writing, in a coherent, persuasive manner; and (e) improve analytical and problem-solving skills through business case studies. By the end of the course, students should be able to (a) deepen their understanding of current business practices, trends, and culture in Japan; (b) handle authentic printed/audio-visual resources in order to obtain information; (c) discuss business-related topics using business-related advanced vocabulary and expressions, and (c) present their own thoughts and opinions on business-related issues in a coherent, persuasive manner. Course requirements include rigorous participation in class activities and timely completion of various oral and written assignments/projects, frequent quizzes and tests, and mid-term and final exams. Prerequisite: Successful completion of JAPN-212 Third Level Japanese II, or equivalent. This course satisfies one semester of the College’s social science general education requirements and the upper elective requirement for Japanese majors.