Japanese Program
Department of Modern Literatures and Cultures
Director of the Japanese Language Program Akira Suzuki
Affiliated Faculty: Steve Addiss (Art), Jane Geaney (Religion), Tze Loo (History)
This section contains information specific to the degree program in Japanese. For full information regarding departmental policies relevant to all the MLC degree programs, study abroad and course sequencing, see the main page of the Department of Modern Literatures and Cultures.
Study Abroad
Study and travel abroad are strongly encouraged for all students. For students of Japanese, the department offers a summer study program in Japan. In addition, there are study abroad opportunities during the academic year in Japan. For a complete list, contact the Office of International Education.
The Japanese Minor
Note: The grade point average of the coursework comprising the minor must be no less than 2.00 with no course grade below C- (1.70).
5 units, including an approved study abroad experience and
Four courses in Japanese at the 300 level or above
One elective from the list below with LAC in Japanese or a 400-level course in Japanese
- ART 226 Art and Culture of Japan
- HIST 250 Modern East Asia 1600-1960
- HIST 254 Modern Japan
- HIST 255 Meiji Japan: An Emperor and the World Named for Him
- HIST 341 History and Memory: WWII in East Asia
- PLSC 343 Politics of Asia
- PLSC 357 International Relations of East Asia
- RELG 355 Selected Asian Religions
Students are expected to fulfill all prerequisites necessary for courses within the minor. Prerequisites do not count toward the minor unless otherwise noted.
Courses
JAPN
101-102 Elementary Japanese
Basic speaking, reading, and writing (hiragana, katakana, and simple kanji) with emphasis on oral performance in class.
Prerequisite(s): Japanese 101 is prerequisite to 102.
Unit(s): 1-1
JAPN
201-202 Intermediate Japanese
Further development of skills in speaking, reading, and writing (appr. 250 kanji), continued emphasis on oral performance.
Prerequisite(s): Japanese 102 or permission of department; Japanese 201 is prerequisite to 202.
General Education Requirement: (202 only, COM2)
Unit(s): 1-1
JAPN
301 Japanese Conversation
Continued development of speaking, including use of idiomatic phrases and more conjunctions. Debating, presentation, and summarizing skills are taught.
Prerequisite(s): Japanese 202 or permission of department.
Unit(s): 1
JAPN
302 Japanese Reading
Continued development of reading (with concentration of Joyo Kanji list) using short stories, essays, and simple reading materials.
Prerequisite(s): Japanese 202 or permission of department.
Unit(s): 1
JAPN
310 Japanese Culture-Programmed Activities
Practical approach to relationship between Japanese language and culture. Emphasis on oral and written skills in weekly schedule of three to four days in local business along with three days in class. (Summer only; taught in Japan.)
Prerequisite(s): Japanese 302.
Unit(s): 1
JAPN
388 Individual Internship
Internship experience outside of the department in fields related to Japanese studies. No more than 1.5 unit of internship in any one department and 3.5 units of internship overall may be counted toward required degree units.
Prerequisite(s): Department approval.
Unit(s): .25-1
JAPN
401-402 Advanced Japanese Language, Literature and Culture
Prepares for more advanced study of Japanese through rigorous vocabulary expansion, more sophisticated language usage patterns, and expanded work in kanji. Materials are designed to advance the student's fluency for everyday communicative tasks as well as reading skills.
Prerequisite(s): Japanese 301 or permission of department.
Unit(s): 1-1
JAPN
495 Independent Study
Special projects individually pursued under supervision of faculty member.
Prerequisite(s): Japanese 302.
Unit(s): .5-1
JAPN
497 Selected Topics
Special interest topics offered at department's discretion.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of department.
Unit(s): 1
Back to top
