JAPAN 1
Elementary Modern Japanese
Description: Lecture, two hours; discussion, three hours. Not open to students who have learned, from whatever source, enough Japanese to qualify for more advanced courses. Introduction to modern Japanese with attention to conversation, grammar, and written forms. Conversation drill based on material covered in class. P/NP or letter grading.
Units: 5.0
Units: 5.0
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Most Helpful Review
Sugamoto is a good teacher. However, it's important to note that for Japanese, it ALL depends on what TA you get, since that's where you'll spend most of your time and practice most of the stuff. The lecture is just mainly there to teach you the new concepts, which you can already do by reading the first few pages in each chapter. So yeah, it doesn't matter if you take her or Kawanishi or whoever else...just try to get Kuroshima for a TA, she's awesome.
Sugamoto is a good teacher. However, it's important to note that for Japanese, it ALL depends on what TA you get, since that's where you'll spend most of your time and practice most of the stuff. The lecture is just mainly there to teach you the new concepts, which you can already do by reading the first few pages in each chapter. So yeah, it doesn't matter if you take her or Kawanishi or whoever else...just try to get Kuroshima for a TA, she's awesome.
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Most Helpful Review
Fall 2020 - TAKEN DURING COVID Professor Takakura is a wonderful professor. Very understanding and willing to work with students; I once forgot to turn in an assignment and she let it slide despite me having no excuse. Although at times she can be a little confusing in how she may want in-class discussion to be about, if you bring it up she will restate it to try to make herself clearer. Her lectures often were practice sessions of short 2-3 minute lessons from the text about the chapter topic, which made learning very engaging. She does have mandatory attendance, but honestly, it isn't that bad. The midterms and chapter tests were very easy if you understand the concepts. She was very nice during office hours and willing to work with me. A fantastic professor; will be taking her again.
Fall 2020 - TAKEN DURING COVID Professor Takakura is a wonderful professor. Very understanding and willing to work with students; I once forgot to turn in an assignment and she let it slide despite me having no excuse. Although at times she can be a little confusing in how she may want in-class discussion to be about, if you bring it up she will restate it to try to make herself clearer. Her lectures often were practice sessions of short 2-3 minute lessons from the text about the chapter topic, which made learning very engaging. She does have mandatory attendance, but honestly, it isn't that bad. The midterms and chapter tests were very easy if you understand the concepts. She was very nice during office hours and willing to work with me. A fantastic professor; will be taking her again.
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Most Helpful Review
Fall 2024 - Takeuchi Sensei is a fantastic teacher. She is very sweet and understanding, but don't mistake her for a pushover. She sets the standards very early in the class. Attendance is required, you must be proficient at reading, writing by hand, and speaking for the covered material. She is particular about how Kanji are written, but she goes over common mistakes early in the class. If you're not lazy and you study, you will be fine. The class is 5 units for a reason--it requires studying to do well. You must get a 95%+ for an A as per the department. Study flashcards, try to read as much as possible, and write out your Kanji by hand.
Fall 2024 - Takeuchi Sensei is a fantastic teacher. She is very sweet and understanding, but don't mistake her for a pushover. She sets the standards very early in the class. Attendance is required, you must be proficient at reading, writing by hand, and speaking for the covered material. She is particular about how Kanji are written, but she goes over common mistakes early in the class. If you're not lazy and you study, you will be fine. The class is 5 units for a reason--it requires studying to do well. You must get a 95%+ for an A as per the department. Study flashcards, try to read as much as possible, and write out your Kanji by hand.
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