JAPN& 122 / Item# 1468 / Section B

Winter 2016

Japanese II Course Syllabus

Class and Contact Information

Topics Details
Class Time / Days 12:30 pm – 1:20 pm / Mondays through Fridays
Classroom A228
Instructor’s Name Mari Brunson
Email mari.brunson@bellevuecollege.edu
Telephone Number 425-564-2069
Office Location A245-B
Office Hours 11:30 am – 12:20 pm / Mondays through Fridays, and by appointments
 Do use only BC email or Canvas Conversations to send messages
 Don’t send messages from your personal email account because they will not be read or replied
 Do include your full name in the title or body of your message
Communication Policy
 Do allow one business day to receive a response
 Do follow up if you receive no response within one business day
 Do check your Canvas Inbox regularly because your instructor sends Canvas messages to students

Course Information

I. Course Description and Outcomes

This is the second course in a three-quarter sequence of the first-year Japanese Language. Students receive 5
credits, which may fulfill the Humanities or Electives requirement toward the transfer degree at Bellevue College.
Please contact your academic advisor for more details.
The goal of this course is to develop beginning-level listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills of Japanese.
Lesson 5 through 8 of Genki Volume I will be covered, and 86 Kanji characters (from Genki textbook Lesson 3
through 8) will be introduced. Cultural information relevant to the language usage and seasonal traditions will be
discussed.
After successfully completing this course, students should be able to:
 Use and comprehend common conversational phrases in more advanced personal interactions (e.g.
suggesting a plan of action, making requests, offering assistance, asking for and granting or denying
permission, etc.).
 Recognize and use the informal speech style for casual conversations with close friends.
 Comprehend and use a wider variety of adjectives in their proper forms to describe things
appropriately.
 Describe continuous action and resultant states.
 Speak/write about oneself (marital status, employment, home, what one is good or poor at, etc.), and
understand others’ conversations about themselves and their family members - including
understanding the distinctions in vocabulary and politeness levels when describing one’s own family
members vs. others’ family members.
 Read up to 90 kanji characters.
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 Recognize the distinctions between kanji characters and the characters of the two phonetic kana
syllabaries and know how and when each should be used in modern Japanese.

II. Grading
Your performance in this course will be evaluated in the six areas listed below. The final grade is calculated based on
your performance in each area and the weight given to each area.
1. Attendance and Participation: 20% Final Grade Minimum Percentage
2. Assignments: 15% A 94
3. Quizzes: 15% A- 90
4. Tests: 20% B+ 87
5. Essay and Speech: 10% B 83
6. Final Exam: 20% B- 80
The final letter grade is determined based on the overall performance C+ 77
calculated in percentage. The table shows the minimum percentage C 73
necessary for each letter grade. This means that your numerical grade C- 70
will not be rounded before mapping to a letter grade. In order to save D+ 67
both of us from the heartbreak of finishing slightly below a grade, please D 60
monitor your grades on individual assignments, quizzes, tests, etc. as well F -
as your overall grade throughout the quarter and contact your instructor
if you have any questions or concerns. For additional information on the College’s grading policy, go to: Grading
Policy

III. Required Textbook and Workbook

Please bring both of the required textbook and workbook to every class. Using electronic copies of illegally
downloaded materials from pirated websites is not acceptable behavior. If you own the first edition (instead of the
second), talk to your instructor immediately.
1. An integrated Course in Elementary Japanese: Genki Volume I, Second Edition, The Japan Times
2. Genki Workbook Volume I, Second Edition, The Japan Times

IV. Technology Requirements

1. Internet access to Canvas (daily)
2. Printer (not daily but possibly on short notice)
What is Canvas?
Canvas is a web-based software, which enables teachers to share information and materials, and to communicate
with students. On her course site on Canvas, your instructor will post the syllabus, announcements, due dates for
assignments, quizzes and test dates, grades, and additional study materials that will help students to be successful
in this course. All students are required to regularly log onto the Canvas Course Site to find and utilize the provided
information and resources that are relevant to their ongoing studies.
To access the Canvas Course Site:
1. Go to Canvas to log in with your username and password (the same ones you use for BC email). If you do
not have or remember your username and/or password, go to: Create Email.
2. Once you are logged in, select the Japanese course from the dropdown menu under “Courses” on the blue
banner across the top.
Computers on Campus
For those whose home environment does not meet the technology requirements, computers are available at the
Computer Lab (N250), the Library Media Center (D126) and the Language Lab (A244); printers are available at the
PALS Center (C105), the Registration Lobby (B125), Computer Lab (N250) and the Library Media Center (D126). Do
not allow technology availability to inhibit your learning nor impair your performance in this course; excuses will not
be accepted.
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Bellevue College Policy and Expectations

I. Affirmation of Inclusion
Bellevue College is committed to maintaining an environment in which every member of the campus community
feels welcome to participate in the life of the college, free from harassment and discrimination.
We value our different backgrounds at Bellevue College, and students, faculty, staff members, and administrators
are to treat one another with dignity and respect.
Religious Holidays
Students who expect to miss classes, examinations, or any other assignments as a consequence of their religious
observance should be provided with a reasonable alternative opportunity to complete such academic
responsibilities. It is the obligation of students to provide faculty with reasonable notice of the dates of religious
holidays on which they will be absent, preferably at the beginning of the term. Students who are absent on days of
examinations or class assignments should be offered an opportunity to make up the work without penalty (if they
have previously arranged to be absent), unless it can be demonstrated that a makeup opportunity would constitute
an unreasonable burden on a member of the faculty. Should disagreement arise over what constitutes an
unreasonable burden or any element of this policy, parties involved should consult the department chair, or Dean.

II. Protection from Discrimination (Title IX)

College Anti-Discrimination Statement
Bellevue College does not discriminate on the basis of race or ethnicity; color; creed; national origin; sex; marital
status; sexual orientation; age; religion; genetic information; the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical
disability; gender identity or veteran status in educational programs and activities which it operates.

Confidentiality and Mandatory Reporting

As an instructor, one of my responsibilities is to help create a safe learning environment on our campus. It is my goal
that you feel able to share information related to your life experiences in classroom discussions, in your written
work, and in our one-on-one meetings. I will seek to keep information you share private to the greatest extent
possible. However, I am required to share information regarding sexual assault and other forms of sexual
misconduct (e.g. dating violence, domestic violence, stalking) that may have occurred on campus or that may impact
someone on campus with the Title IX Coordinator. Students may speak to someone confidentially by contacting the
College’s Counseling Center at (425) 564-2212.
The Title IX Office can be contacted at 425-564-2441 and more information can be found at Title IX.

III. Arts and Humanities Division Commitment and Expectations

As a part of the Arts and Humanities Division, the World Languages program adheres to the Division policies,
procedures and expectations. Please refer to the following links for more information:
Our Commitment to Student Growth and Development
Student Procedures & Expectations

IV. Student Code of Conduct and Academic Integrity

Any act of academic dishonesty, including cheating, plagiarism (using the ideas or words of another as one’s own
without crediting the source), and fabrication and inappropriate/disruptive classroom behavior are violations of the
Student Code of Conduct at Bellevue College. Examples of unacceptable behavior include, but are not limited to,
talking out of turn, arriving late or leaving early without a valid reason, allowing cell phones/pagers to ring, and
inappropriate behavior toward the instructor or classmates. The instructor can refer any violation of the Student
Code of Conduct to the Dean of Student Success for investigation. Specific student rights, responsibilities, and
appeal procedures are listed at: Student Code
For additional information on copyright, please see: College Copyright Policy and Avoiding Plagiarism

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V. Student Complaint Policy

Should you have a complaint about a course, you are encouraged to speak to your instructor first. If the matter is
not resolved to your satisfaction, you should then contact the Program Chair, and subsequently, the Division Chair.
Please click the following links for more details:
Complaint Policy
Student Academic Dispute Procedure

Where to Get Help

I. Technology Help Desk

If you experience any technical issues with Canvas, Bellevue College email, BC Wi-Fi connectivity, etc., please
contact the Technology Help Desk. You can submit a ticket online, call them at 564-4357, or visit their walk-up
counter outside the Open Lab entrance at N250.

II. Academic Success Center

Students may visit the Academic Success Center (D204) for extra practice in Japanese. Visit their website to view
their drop-in tutoring schedule or to apply for individual tutoring. While the drop-in tutoring is open to all students,
there are some eligibility requirements for the individual tutoring. Please talk to your instructor before you apply.
The link to the Academic Success Center above is also posted on Canvas Course Site.

III. Disability Resource Center (DRC)

The Disability Resource Center serves students with a wide array of learning challenges and disabilities. If you are a
student who has a disability or learning challenge for which you have documentation or have seen someone for
treatment and if you feel you may need accommodations in order to be successful in college, please contact the
DRC as soon as possible.
The DRC office is located in B132 or you can call our reception desk at 425-564-2498. Deaf students can reach them
by Skype: the address is DRCatBC (NOTE: There is no @ sign...it is actually DRCatBC).
If you are a person who requires assistance in case of an emergency situation, such as a fire, earthquake, etc.,
please meet with your instructors to develop a safety plan within the first week of the quarter.
If you are a student with a documented autism spectrum disorder, there is an additional access program available to
you. Contact Autism Spectrum Navigators. Email and phone number is on the web page. ASN is located in the
Library Media Center in D125.
Accessibility
The online elements of this course are designed to be welcoming to, accessible to, and usable by everyone,
including students who are English-language learners, have a variety of learning styles, have disabilities, or are new
to online learning. Be sure to let me know immediately if you encounter a required element or resource in the
course that is not accessible to you. Also, let me know of changes I can make to the course so that it is more
welcoming to, accessible to, or usable by students who take this course in the future.

IV. Counseling Center

Counselors at the Counseling Center assists students with wide variety of personal life challenges and other
concerns that may be impacting academic performance. To schedule an appointment with a counselor, you may
either call at 425-564-5747 or stop by the Center’s front desk at the 2nd floor of the Student Services Building (B-
building). All interactions with a counselor, including everything you discuss and even appointments that are made,
are confidential. This means that counselors cannot and will not share anything you say during counseling
appointments with anyone outside of the counseling center, except for a few safety and other related
exceptions that your counselor will discuss with you during your appointment.

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V. Public Safety
Public Safety is located in the K building and can be reached at 425-564-2400 (easy to remember because it’s the
only office on campus open 24 hours a day—2400). Among other things, Public Safety serves as our Parking Permits,
Lost and Found, and Emergency Notification center. Please ensure you register your mobile phone number at RAVE
Alert to receive SMS (text message) alerts.
If you work late and are uneasy about going to your car, Public Safety will escort you to your vehicle. To coordinate
this, please phone ahead and let Public Safety know when and where you will need an escort.
Emergencies
Please familiarize yourself with the emergency postings by the door of every classroom and know where to go in the
event of an evacuation. Your instructor will be asked if anyone might still be in the building, so check in before you
do anything else. Emergency responders will search for anyone unaccounted for.
If a major emergency occurs, please follow these three rules:
1. Take directions from those in charge of the response - We all need to be working together.
2. Do not get in your car and leave campus (unless directed to) - Doing so will clog streets and prevent
emergency vehicles from entering the scene. Instead, follow directions from those in charge.
3. In an emergency, call 911 first, then Public Safety.

How to Succeed in This Course

I. Course Schedule
Tentative dates of assignment dues, quizzes, tests and final exams are posted on the Canvas course Sites. If you are
unfamiliar with Canvas, the Course Orientation Assignment will provide an opportunity to learn how to use the
Canvas Calendar and Syllabus Schedule.
Please refer to the Bellevue College Academic Calendars at the below links for information about holidays,
closures and important enrollment dates:
Enrollment Calendar for dates for admissions, registration, withdrawal, tuition refunds and financial aids
College Calendar for college holidays, scheduled closures, quarter end and start dates, and final exam dates.

II. Attendance and Participation

Attendance is checked at the beginning of class, and each student’s level of participation is evaluated daily. In order
to receive full credit for participation, students must arrive on time with all the required materials, be attentive
to the lecture, and fully engage in the activities. Under normal circumstances, three tardy arrivals or early
departures will be counted as an absence. If a student has missed more than 15 minutes of instruction on a day, or a
student is habitually late for class, each instance will be counted as one absence. You may receive partial credit if
you notify your instructor in advance for expected absences. Alternatively, you may use “excuse tokens” to avoid
penalty for your tardy or absence. Please see Section V below for more details. If you miss all or part of a class,
make sure to immediately check the Canvas site for missed announcements and lecture notes so you can prepare
for the next class.
Any disruptive/disrespectful behaviors during the class will result in reduced points. These behaviors include but are
not limited to leaving class and then returning, using mobile devises, talking while others are trying to hear the
instructor or a classmate, doing other homework, and wearing earphones. Repetition of such behaviors will result in
more serious disciplinary actions. If you are planning to use a mobile devise in class for academic purposes, please
inform your instructor and receive a permission in advance.
Required Action If / When a Class is Canceled Due to Inclement Weather or Other Emergency
All BC students are automatically subscribed to the emergency alert notification system and will receive
notifications via BC email. Students will also receive SMS (text message) alerts on their mobile phone if registered
for the Rave Alert. Alternatively, check for announcements on Bellevue College Home Page or call BC’s 24 hour
recorded messages at 425-401-6680.
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If there is a class cancellation, your instructor will post home-study guides and assignments on Canvas and may
collect assignments on Canvas or via BC email. Timely submission of these assignments will award students the
attendance/participation points for the day. If you don’t have home internet access, find a buddy now, who can
send you the updates via text or voice over a cell phone.

III. Assignments
Assignments are given daily. For graded assignments, please refer to the due dates and the written instructions
posted on Canvas. All assignments are due at the beginning of a class period unless your instructor specifically
announces otherwise. The assignment schedule is subject to change, so be diligent about checking for updates in
class and on Canvas. Below is a quick overview of different kinds of assignments.
Course Orientation Assignment
Before we start our lessons, it is extremely important for students to read the syllabus and understand the course
expectations and policies as well as to get familiar with the Canvas Course Site. As a part of this assignment,
students are expected to complete the Preliminary Survey and Course Orientation Quiz on Canvas, and to score
perfectly on both to receive full credit (4 points) for this assignment.
Daily Reviews
Students are expected to review and practice the new Hiragana/Katakana characters, vocabulary terms, grammar,
and expressions introduced each day, using the textbook, workbook, audio files, and lecture notes posted on
Canvas.
Genki Workbook Assignments
Answer keys are provided for most questions (other than open-ended questions) on the workbook. Students are
expected to self-correct any mistakes before submitting the assignments; otherwise, the work will be marked as
incomplete and returned to the student with zero points. Your instructor will collect a few worksheets each week.
Tear out and submit only the assigned workbook pages. The entire workbook, soft copies, or loose-leaf papers will
not be accepted. Before starting your first assignment, be sure to read the detailed instructions posted on Canvas.
Please refer to the Must-Read Instructions for Workbook Assignments posted on Canvas for more details.
Additional Assignments
Online exercises and/or additional grammar/writing/reading exercises may be assigned on as needed-basis. These
assignments will be announced both in class and on Canvas.

IV. Incomplete/Late Assignments

Sincere efforts and 100% completion of expected tasks are required to receive any credit on each assignment.
Insincere or incomplete work will earn no credit. If assignments are collected in class, they need to be submitted at
the beginning of the class. If you are late for class, your assignment will be marked as late. Grades for late
assignments are generally reduced by 50% up to 24 hours past due. You may use “excuse tokens” to avoid penalty
for your late assignment. Please see Section V below for more details. After 24 hours, late assignments may be
accepted at your instructor’s discretion with heavily reduced points. The grade reduction ratio may be adjusted if
the delay involves weekends, holidays, class cancellations, or absences longer than a day.

V. Excuse Tokens
Your instructor recognizes that unexpected things can happen in life and keep students from attending a class or
submitting an assignment on time. “Excuse tokens” are meant to be used in such situations. Each student may use
up to 3 excuse tokens, each of which can be used to cancel out one penalty for the following:
1. One tardy up to 15 minutes from the beginning of the class period
2. One early departure up to 15 minutes before the end of the class period
3. One-page workbook assignment up to 24 hours past due
You may use multiple excuse tokens at one time. For example:
1. Three tokens for a one-day absence
2. Two tokens for a two-page workbook assignment up to 24 hours past due
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3. Three tokens for a three-page workbook assignment up to 24 hours past due
To use the tokens, complete and submit a token form (posted inside the Course Orientation Module on Canvas)
to your instructor within 24 hours of your tardy/absence, or staple it to your late assignment. The tokens may
not be used for any conditions than those listed above.

VI. Quizzes
Several small quizzes will be given throughout the quarter. Each quiz is approximately 10-15 minutes long. Tentative
quiz schedule and content are posted on Canvas. The lowest quiz score will be dropped. No make-up quizzes are
given for any reasons.

VII. Tests
Three written tests (Lesson 5, Lesson 6, and Lesson 7) will be given. Refer to the schedule on Canvas for tentative
dates. Each test is approximately 50 minutes long. Since the consequence of missing a test is serious, please make
every effort to take it on the scheduled test day. If you missed one, you must contact your instructor immediately
AND arrange a day and time for a make-up test before the first day you return to the class. In order to maintain
fairness to all students, all make-up test grades are reduced by 10% multiplied by the number of days past the
original exam day. There is no retake for a failed test.

VIII. Essay and Presentation

During the latter half of the quarter, all students are required to write a formal essay (200-300 characters) and
to present in class. The time and day of the presentation is tentatively scheduled on the College’s Final Exam
Day: 11:30 am - 1:20 pm on Wednesday, March 23rd. The same make-up policy as late assignments will apply to
the essay draft submissions. There will be no make-up opportunity for the presentation.

IX. Final Exam

Given during our last two regular class periods on Thursday, March 17th, and Friday, March 18th.
It is comprehensive, covering materials from Lesson 5 through Lesson 8, and Kanji characters from Lesson 3
through Lesson 8 of the Genki textbook. It consists of five sections: 1) Listening Comprehension, 2) Grammar &
Vocabulary, 3) Reading Comprehension, 4) Writing, 5) Culture and language Usage. The same make-up policy as a
missed test will apply to a missed final exam, and all make-ups need to be completed by Wednesday, March 23rd.