Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2025 - JAPN 100 D100

Japanese I (3)

Class Number: 6835

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Tue, Thu, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Dec 12, 2025
    Fri, 12:00–3:00 p.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Introduction to Japanese for students with no background in that language. Introduces basic oral and written skills, and the three Japanese writing systems (Hiragana, Katakana and Kanji). Students who took Japanese courses in secondary school and/or with previous knowledge of Japanese may need to be evaluated for placement into JAPN 110 or higher level of courses and are required to contact the instructor before enrollment. Students enrolled directly into JAPN 110 may not take this course for credit. Breadth-Humanities.

COURSE DETAILS:

The course should cover the first 6 lessons in the textbook GENKI volume I.  In the first few lessons, students are required to learn both Hiragana and Katakana. Furthermore, a Kanji will be introduced from L 3 to L6. The goal of this course is to comprehend basic grammar points and vocabulary to establish basic speaking and listening abilities. Since each lesson takes approximately 8 hours on average to complete, its workbook should be mainly used as homework except the listening sections in order to reinforce the students’ ability to understand grammars and increase vocabulary. 

Grading

  • In-class Quizzes 14%
  • Online Quizzes 12%
  • Midterm and Oral Exam 1 18%
  • Writing Assignment 12%
  • Short Presentation 8%
  • Final Exam & Oral Exam 2 30%
  • Workbook 6%

NOTES:

GRADING SCALE:
 
100 – 96 = A+          86 – 83 = B+          74 –70 = C+          58 – 50 = D
95 – 91 = A               82 – 79 = B             69 – 65 = C            49 – 0 = F
90 – 87 = A-             78 – 75 = B-            64 – 59 = C-

Tutorials start in week one and all students are required to attend the first.
Failure to attend the first week of classes will result in withdrawal from the course.

REQUIREMENTS:

PLACEMENT: Those with any prior knowledge in Japanese language beyond the level of the course may not register. Particularly, the following students will not be permitted to take Japanese 100;
1) Those who speak Japanese at home with Japanese parents (a native speaker of Japanese)
2) Those who have taken a Japanese language course(s) in their Secondary schools within the past one year from the point of registration.
3) Those who earned 80% or higher average grade in Japanese language course(s) in their Secondary schools within the past two years from the point of registration.  

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Banno, E., Y. Ohno, Y. Sakane, and C. Shinagawa, eds. GENKI Volume I: An Integrated Course in Elementary Japanese. The Japan Times, 2020 (3rd Edition). ISBN-13 : 978-4789017305


Banno, E., Y. Ohno, Y. Sakane, and C. Shinagawa, eds. GENKI Volume I, Workbook: An Integrated Course in Elementary Japanese. The Japan Times, 2020 (3rd Edition).  ISBN-13: 978-4789017312


REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.