[comp.research.japan] MIT Summer Course in Technical Japanese

rick@cs.arizona.edu (Rick Schlichting) (03/23/91)

[The deadline for registering for the MIT summer
 course in technical Japanese has been extended 
 until March 31.  For those not familar with the 
 program, I've reproduced the bulk of the course 
 brochure below.  For more information, contact

      Sue Sherwood
      MIT Japan Program
      E38-754
      Massachusetts Institute of Techology
      Cambridge, MA  02139
 
      tel: 617-253-2839
      fax: 617-258-7432

  -- Rick ]



TJ1s
Technical Japanese for Computer
Scientists and Electrical Engineers

Monday, June 10 through
Friday, August 2

Tuition: $3,300 (Limited Financial Assistance Available)
Deadline for Application is March 31, 1991


Introduction
The majority of American scientists and engineers,
even those who have had some training in the Japa-
nese language, are at a severe disadvantage when
attempting to read the large volume of published
Japanese technical materials in their field or in under-
taking productive long-term research visits to Japan.
This is in marked contrast to their Japanese counter-
parts, most of whom read technical English fluently
and in depth. Thus, while the Japanese scientist may
look to the United States for a wealth of valuable
information, for the American scientist, Japan is
largely inaccessible -- a "black box."

To address this information gap between Japan and
the United States, MIT is offering an intensive summer
course in technical Japanese for computer scientists,
electrical engineers and specialists in related fields.
The principal goal of the course is to develop in the
participants the ability to read technical Japanese
language documents in their area of expertise.

Expected Background
The course is designed for individuals with specialized
knowledge of computer science, electrical engineering
or a related field, and a solid foundation in the Japa-
nese language, who wish to gain access to the world
of technical information now available only in Japa-
nese.

As a prerequisite, the application should have know-
ledge of computers and computer science, electrical
engineering or a related subject, and be experienced in
reading pertinent technical materials in English (no
advanced degree is required); have a command of the
structure of the Japanese language equivalent to at
least three years of college-level study; be able to
conduct a conversation in Japanese and engage in a
discussion of one's specialty at a rudimentary level; be
able to read, slowly and with a dictionary, materials
intended for the average adult (i.e., with a high school
education), in other words, familiarity with 800-1,000
kanji in context. In order to assess Japanese language
competence accurately, a proficiency test will be
administered to all applicants. Arrangements will be
made for this test to be given at or near the appli-
cant's home institution.

Outline of the Program
Instruction will consist primarily of classes devoted to
reading technical articles, research reports, product
specifications, and other computer science and electri-
cal engineering documents. Additionally, the curricu-
lum will include practice in advanced-level speaking
and listening skills, strategies for different types of
reading including skimming and scanning, information
on appropriate databases and reference works, and
discussion of the social and cultural aspects of behav-
ior in corporate and academic Japan. Emphasis will
be on the acquisition of reading skills, with attention
also paid to speaking and listening.

The pace of the course will be intensive, with classes
held Monday through Friday, both morning and
afternoon.

The focus during the first week will be on basic
technical vocabulary, a review of relevant grammatical
and stylistic elements, and familiarization with the
important sub-fields to be covered.

Weeks 2 through 7 will be used to develop reading
skills and enhance kanji recognition through the use of
a wide variety of technical documents. Instructional
time will be devoted to reading classes, explanatory
sessions, and lectures on background information
related both to the world of technology in Japan, to
the underlying culture, and to the development of oral
skills specifically important to engineers and scientists
interacting with their Japanese counterparts. There
will also be guidance in the availability and usage of
appropriate dictionaries and other reference tools.

The final week will include explorations of specific
technical areas of interest to the participants and to
acquainting them with the on-line and off-line sources
of information concerning technical and scientific
documents, companies, academic programs, etc.

Program Materials
Participants will receive instructional materials com-
piled for this course and information on key sources of
relevant technical Japanese documents.

Results to be Expected
At the end of the course, a successful participant will
have significantly improved Japanese reading skills
and a better understanding of Japanese developments
in computer science and electrical engineering. In
addition, those who attend will meet Japanese engi-
neers and computer scientists, and learn first hand
about life in a Japanese company or laboratory. In
this way, they will enhance their contributions to
academic, commercial or government pursuits through
increased access to information not available in
English.

Staff
The course will be conducted by Dr. David O. Mills,
Director of MIT's Technical Japanese Language
Project, and Chair, Department of East Asian Lan-
guages and Literatures, University of Pittsburgh, with
Kiyoko Morita, Lecturer, Japanese Studies Depart-
ment, Wellesley College, as Assistant Director. The
instructional staff will include both professional Japa-
nese language teachers and Japanese researchers in
computer science and electrical engineering.

Additional Information
Questions about the program may be directed to
Susan L. Sherwood, Technical Japanese Language
Project Administrator, at (617) 253-8095.

Tuition and Credit
Tuition for the program is $3,300, due and payable
upon notification of admission (limited financial assis-
tance is available). Academic credit is not offered for
this course; however, a certificate of completion will
be issued to each participant.

Cancellation and Refund Policy
Registrants who notify the Office of the Summer
Session of cancellation of their plans to attend a
program less than two weeks (14 calendar days)
before the start date will be charged a cancellation fee
of 20% of the tuition. If the registrant does not
appear for the program, full tuition will be charged.
No refund of tuition will be made to those who arrive
late or leave before completing a program in which
they have been registered.