Students completing the program will be able to... • Communicate verbally in the target language with accurate pronunciation in meaningful situations present in both informal and formal contexts. • Effectively apply rules of grammar and syntax in tandem with appropriate vocabulary in written and oral communication. • Demonstrate auditory comprehension of instruction, authentic content, and purposeful conversations in the target language. • Discuss, describe, and infer information from authentic texts in the target language. • Demonstrate cultural appreciation by making (comparative) connections, on both an individual and societal level, between the target cultures and students’ own cultures. • Create (write or present) narratives and/or arguments that demonstrate cohesive critical thinking in the target language.

The associate in arts degree in Japanese at DVC will provide students with skills in understanding, speaking, reading and writing Japanese. The curriculum exposes students to Japanese culture and civilization and provides foundational skills in language that can apply to a broad range of international and domestic career opportunities and professions. The degree will provide lower division preparation for transfer to UC, CSU and other four year colleges and universities to earn a bachelor’s degree.

The DVC Japanese major is intended for transfer. Students who intend to transfer must consult with a program advisor or counselor to ensure that the requirements for transfer to baccalaureate-granting institutions of their choice are met. Students who intend to transfer are advised to select General Education Option 2 (IGETC) or Option 3 (CSU GE). Option 1 (DVC General Education) is appropriate for those students who do not intend to transfer. Students may not take a pass/no pass option for major courses and each of the major requirements must be completed with a “C” grade or higher. Certain courses may satisfy both major and general education requirements; however, the units are counted only once.

To earn an associate in arts degree in Japanese, students must complete one of the following lists of courses. The core Japanese courses provide students with the essential grammar of the language and culture of Japan. The Kanji courses provide students with practice in Kanji characters used in writing the Japanese language.