Japanese Studies (BA, minor)

Program Overview

The Japanese studies program fosters detailed, nuanced knowledge and understanding of various aspects of pre-modern, modern and contemporary Japanese culture and society, including history, language, literature, visual culture, politics and economics.

It provides a solid foundation of Japanese language skills, including reading, writing, speaking and listening comprehension. Students who choose this major typically also choose to double major within a different discipline to build a holistic degree plan.

Degrees Offered

  • BA in Japanese Studies

Minors

  • Japanese Studies

Internships, Research Opportunities and More

The faculty of the Japanese studies program are not only outstanding educators but are recognized and published scholars within their respective fields of research which include:

  • classical and medieval Japanese culture, literature and theater
  • Japanese artistic representation of Asia Pacific war experience
  • Japanese culture
  • Japanese linguistics 

  • Japanese translation
  • modern Japanese literature and film

  • second language acquisition


Many Japanese studies majors choose to study abroad.

Coursework

Some courses to consider in your first year:

After You Graduate

The Japanese studies major not only provides students with a solid foundation of language skills, but also develops their written and oral communication skills, critical-thinking skills and overall cultural awareness.

Graduates find employment in the fields of teaching, business, government, information technologies, translation and interpretation, writing, international aid, linguistics research, etc. Students who graduate with this degree also pursue graduate degrees including the PhD, MBA, MPA and MAT.


For more information, visit the Japanese Studies website.