Japanese, BA

Introduction

Learn the language and culture of Japan and develop an awareness of the diversity of an increasingly interconnected world. Courses range from an introductory language class to modern Japanese culture taught in Japanese.

Develop a high level of proficiency in comprehension, speaking, reading and writing. Take courses in all levels of Japanese as well as special-topics courses, including Business, Cuisine, Kanji, Anime/Manga, Contemporary Literature, Sustainability or Environmental issues, and travel courses to Japan.

Spend at least one semester studying abroad at one of six universities in four cities — Tokyo (Rikkyo and Obirin), Nagoya (Nanzan and NUFS), Osaka (Kansai Gaidai) and Saga (Saga University)— or/and experience internships using Japanese on or off campus. Also, practice language skills with Japanese-speaking language assistant who lives on campus and connect with Japanese exchange students at Pacific.

The Japanese major is designed to be combined with any other major offered at Pacific University, where both majors can be completed in time for the anticipated graduation date.

Baccalaureate Degree Core

Baccalaureate Core & Other Graduation Requirements

Major Requirements: 40 Credits

JAPN 101 - Intro to Japanese Language & Culture 4 credit(s)
JAPN 102 - Intro to Japanese Language & Culture 4 credit(s)
Any 200-level JAPN courses 8 credit(s)
Upper-division JAPN courses* 12 credit(s)
*4 credits must be 400-level (excluding JAPN 475). One course must be designated WID (W).
JAPN 490 - Senior Capstone I 2 credit(s)
JAPN 491 - Senior Capstone II 2 credit(s)

Complete one of the following requirements: 8 Credits

8 upper-division credits earned abroad in a Japanese-speaking country

8 credits of JAPN 275 and/or JAPN 475

Take one 400-level JAPN course AND take 4 credits from the following list of elective courses:

ARTHI 276 - Art & Architecture of Asia 4 credit(s)
HIST 115 - East Asian Civilization 4 credit(s)
HIST 203 - History in the Pacific World 4 credit(s)
HIST 211 - Japan Past & Present With Film 4 credit(s)
HIST 216 - History of Modern Japan 4 credit(s)
HIST 313 - World War II in History & Memory 4 credit(s)
HIST 319 - Rise and Fall of the Japanese Empire 4 credit(s)
HUM 213 - Introduction to Japanese Literature 4 credit(s)
HUM 351 /THEA 351 - Traditional Theater of East Asia 4 credit(s)
IS 222 - Introduction to East Asian Studies 4 credit(s)
IS 318 - The Business of Capitalism in East Asia 4 credit(s)
JAPN 275 - Internship 1-4 credit(s)
JAPN 475 - Internship credit(s)
PHIL 305 - Asian Philosophy 4 credit(s)
WORL 365 - Teaching Lang & Culture Elem School 4 credit(s)
Short-term travel courses to Japan as approved by department

Program Details

Program Length

Four years for a complete BA degree. Two years for students transferring in with an AAOT degree. Program length may vary depending upon the student’s course load and academic progress. Note: If Study Abroad is for a year, only 12 credits are required, otherwise 16 are required. Students enter the sequence at a level appropriate to their previous preparation and may be exempt from up to 16 credits of lower division coursework in the major unless otherwise noted.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students completing the major in Japanese will:

Achieve linguistic proficiency in Japanese in listening, speaking, reading and writing equivalent to ACTFL Advanced Low (for a description of ACTFL proficiency levels, see https://www.actfl.org/sites/default/files/guidelines/ACTFLProficiencyGuidelines2012.pdf),
Demonstrate a comparative understanding of cultural diversity,
Be able to analyze at least one aspect of major historical, social, intellectual, artistic and/or linguistic trends in Japan; andleverage disciplinary knowledge to create a capstone project that demonstrates an understanding of the language and cultures of Japan.