Program Information

Japanese Studies Major

The Japanese Studies major is an interdisciplinary major combining language study with cultural studies. Students majoring in Japanese Studies are required to take courses in Japanese language at all levels and courses on the history, literature, art history, cinema, religion and culture of Japan. Majors students are strongly recommended to study abroad in Japan for one or two semesters through the Japan Study Program (JSP) at our sister university, Tokyo International University, Kawagoe, Japan. The majors are also encouraged to take advantage of the opportunities for language and cultural exchange offered by Tokyo International University of America (TIUA) on our campus.

The Japanese Studies major is structured to include: (1) the study of Japanese language through the fourth year (sixteen semester hours); (2) an elective concentration consisting of courses on literature, history, religion, art history and culture of Japan and/or Asia (sixteen semester hours); and (3) a Senior Year Experience (four semester hours) 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. Credits from studying abroad in Japan will be transferred upon faculty approval.

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 (JET) program in Japan as well as graduate study, foreign service, international business, and international non-profit organizations in the US and Japan.

Willamette University

Japanese Studies

Address
900 State Street
Salem Oregon 97301 U.S.A.
Phone
503-370-6015 voice
503-370-6720 fax

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