Program Requirements

The Japanese Studies major is an interdisciplinary major combining language study with related courses on the history, literature, art, religion, and culture of Japan. Because of the significant linguistic and cultural links between China and Japan, the study of Chinese history, culture and language may also serve as a significant component of the Japanese Studies major. Students majoring in Japanese Studies are encouraged to take advantage of the Semester-in-Japan Program offered at our Sister Institution, Tokyo International University, in Kawagoe, Japan, as well as the opportunities for cultural exchange offered by the presence of Tokyo International University of America (TIUA) adjacent to our campus.

The Japanese Studies major is structured to include: (1) a broad introduction to East Asian civilization (one credit); (2) the study of Japanese language through the fourth year (four credits); (3) courses on Japanese literature, culture and history (three credits); (4) an elective concentration consisting of courses on history, religion, art and culture of Japan and/or China (three credits); and 5) a Senior Year Experience (one credit) involving a writing project which will integrate and consolidate knowledge and understanding of Japan which the student has gained through the program's course of studies.

A variety of career opportunities are available to students who graduate with a strong grounding in the study of Japanese. These include the JET program, foreign service, international trade, graduate study, and teaching of English as a second language.

Requirements for the Japanese Studies Major (12 Credits)

Core courses

HIST 117 (TH) East Asian Civilization to 1800 (1) or
HIST 118 (TH) East Asian Civilization Since 1800 (1)
JAPN 201 (W) Modern Japanese Society & Culture (1)
JAPN 499 (W) Senior Seminar (1)

Four credits from the following (4)

JAPN 331 Third Year Japanese (1)
JAPN 332 Third Year Japanese II (1)
JAPN 430 Japanese Reading and Composition I (1)
JAPN 431 Japanese Reading and Composition II (1)
JAPN 432 Conversational Japanese I (1)
JAPN 434 Conversational Japanese II (1)
JAPN 490 Reading and Conference (.5 or 1)
JAPN 491 Reading and Conference (.5 or 1)

Two credits from the following (2)

JAPN 314 (IT; W; 4th Sem Lang Req) Japanese Literature in Translation (1)
JAPN 340 The Japanese Cinema (1)
HIST 380 History of Traditional Japan (1)
HIST 381 (TH) History of Modern Japan (1)
HIST 445 Postwar Japan (1)

Three credits from the following (3)

ARTH 212 (IT; TH) History of the Art of Asia (1)
ARTH 213 (IT; TH) History of the Art of China (1)
ARTH 214 (IT; TH) History of the Art of Japan (1)
ASIA 258 Topics in Asian Studies (1)
ASIA 352 Field Study in Asia (1)
CHNSE 232 Intermediate Chinese II (1)*
CHNSE 254 Language, Ethnicity, and Folklore in China (1)
CHNSE 332 Third Year Chinese II (1)
CHNSE 431 Reading the Humanities (1)
CHNS 432 Introduction to Classical Chinese Texts and Thoughts (1)
HIST 383 Mao's China (1)
JAPN 240 Japanese Language and Culture (1)
JAPN 340 The Japanese Cinema (1)
REL 135 Religions of Asia (1)
REL 262 Japanese Religions (1)

* Only one of these Chinese courses may be used.

Requirements for the Japanese Minor (5 Credits)

Five courses from the following (5)

JAPN 232 Intermediate Japanese II (1)
JAPN 331 Third Year Japanese I (1)
JAPN 332 Third Year Japanese II (1)
JAPN 430 Japanese Reading and Composition I (1)
JAPN 431 Japanese Reading and Composition II (1)
JAPN 432 Conversational Japanese I (1)
JAPN 434 Conversational Japanese II (1)
JAPN 490 Reading and Conference (.5 or 1)
JAPN 491 Reading and Conference (.5 or 1)

Japanese Program