Time Schedule:
Amy Ohta
JAPAN 443
Seattle Campus
Methodology and theory of sociolinguistic analysis. Reading of research literature and training in analysis of Japanese language data. Prerequisite: JAPAN 313 which may be taken concurrently; JAPAN 343.
Class description
This course takes a discourse analytic approach to Japanese sociolinguistics, introducing methodology and current research in this area. Theory and methodology of discourse analysis are introduced, including hands-on training in the collection, transcription and analysis of Japanese conversational data. Current discourse analytic research in Japanese sociolinguistics is a focus of reading and discussion. Students apply what is learned in conducting their own research using the data they have collected and transcribed, writing up the results in papers to be presented to the class.
Student learning goals
General method of instruction
The course combines lectures with discussion and data analysis sessions.
Recommended preparation
Completing assigned readings due for each class session is vital to success in the course, as well as completion of reading questions, studying, and timely completion of data transcription. Consultation on paper topics and the writing of papers is highly encouraged.
Class assignments and grading
1) Reading questions: must be completed for each reading assignment. Readings are research articles in Japanese sociolinguistics and sociolinguistics. 2) Data Collection: Each student, working individually or with another student, must collect Japanese conversational data for use for use in their final papers. Collecting conversational data entails video-recording or audio-recording the conversations of Japanese people with their permission. The following are possible settings for data collection:
Dinner-table conversations Conversation between friends in a coffee shop Telephone conversation (using recording device from Radio Shack) Service encounters Conversations in places of business (beauty shop, travel agency, etc.)
Students may also use television talk shows or television dramas as data *with permission of the instructor.*
Students must transcribe four pages (single spaced) of their data. One page will be done in detail following conventions of conversation analysis.
3) Term paper: Each paper must contain the following sections:
o Introduction, explaining the purpose of the paper o Literature review, going over previous work on the topic o Methodology section, describing methodology for data collection, nature of data, etc. o Analysis section, explaining your analysis with supporting examples explained. o Conclusion
Data collection/transcription, Homework, Midterm, Final, and Paper
