Welcome

The department of Japanese and Chinese offers a major in Japanese Studies, a minor in Japanese, a minor in Chinese Studies, and a special major in Chinese Studies.

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.

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

The Chinese Studies Major and the opportunity to construct a special major in Chinese Studies provide courses and guidance for the students to explore various aspects of Chinese History and Culture. The students are also encouraged to study in China through Willamette approved exchange programs.