College Catalog
Japanese (JAPN)

The modern languages and literatures discipline offers courses in modern languages, cultures, and literatures, which may lead to both majors and minors in French, German and Spanish, as well as a minor in Japanese. The objectives of language studies are to enable students to communicate effectively in the language of study and to understand and appreciate the cultures and values of the countries in which the language is spoken. The discipline also offers literature and culture courses in the English language for the General Education Program.

Studies in this discipline help students increase their awareness of their own values and beliefs as well as those of another culture; aid in preparing teachers for language teaching careers; provide language skills and cultural awareness to students specializing in other academic areas; enable students to meet the language requirements of graduate programs in the study of languages and comparative literature; and prepare students for various careers in an increasingly global society.

All language courses in this program are taught in the target language, and students are expected to use the target language in class. In addition, advanced courses require one or more formal oral presentations and papers in the target language. Each presentation and paper is assessed with feedback to students. In the senior capstone course (400), students are required to write a research paper in the target language. Students certified to teach the language must achieve a 3.0 G.P.A. in their major or minor, including earning a 'B' or better in their senior capstone course.

Japanese Area Studies
The purpose of a Japanese Area Studies minor is to provide an opportunity for students to study Japanese culture in a manner different from the traditional modern language minor. The Japanese Area Studies minor has the objective of familiarity with the language as opposed to fluency, and is designed to supplement this familiarity with a concentration of courseware related to the socioeconomic, political, cultural, literary, or historical background of Japan. Courses are chosen in consultation with the student's advisor or the head of Japanese Language program, consistent with the goals of the student and with the program.

A typical JAS minor includes language study through 204 Intermediate Japanese. A student electing a JAS minor without prior exposure to the language is required to complete four courses under this paradigm. The student has the option of completing additional language study if her/his goals required additional competency.

A JAS minor who wishes to have a one-semester study abroad experience at Sophia University in Tokyo, Japan, should take JAPN 320, which may be replaced by different courses at a Japanese university after taking a placement exam.Courses taken at Sophia University, with at least a passing (C) grade, are counted toward a JAS minor.

Individualized Major in Japanese: A student can pursue an Individualized Major in Japanese when faculty staffing is available and approval is given by the Dean of the College. The purpose of a Japanese Language major is to provide an opportunity for students to study Japanese language and culture. The Japanese Language program is specially designed for students who wish to devote their attention to the mastery of the Japanese language. Those students who have already taken some Japanese language courses in high school or have studied the language in Japan must take a placement examination and obtain approval for course selection from the head of Japanese Language before applying for an Individualized Major. (See the procedure for Individualized Majors.)

Modern Foreign Languages

2007-2008 Japanese Program Requirements

2005-2007 Japanese Program Requirements

2003-2005 Japanese Program Requirements

2001-2003 Japanese Program Requirements

Japanese Course Descriptions

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