Japan is one of the world’s most important nations with a history of over one thousand years, a vibrant culture that has had deep impact on design and pop culture around the world, and an advanced economy. The Japanese major provides a rigorous and intensive study of Japan, its language, culture, and society in an international context. Students who major in Japanese develop proficiency in speaking, listening, reading, and writing Japanese, and acquire a profound knowledge of Japanese culture, history, and civilization in the context of East Asia.
Why should I major in Japanese?
The Japanese major provides students with an opportunity to concentrate on acquiring expertise in an important modern language and its culture. Giving students a strong working knowledge of the Japanese language and understanding of Japanese culture, the program can help prepare students for work in contexts where the language and culture are pertinent, to live and work in Japan as informed individuals equipped with appropriate intercultural skills and awareness, or for graduate study in Japan-related fields.
What careers can I have with a major in Japanese?
An increasing number of domestic and multinational companies are seeking employees who have backgrounds in multicultural studies as a way of dealing with the global market. Japanese majors seek employment in business, journalism, government service, and non-governmental international organizations. Employment may also be available with import and export trade organizations, international banking houses, translation or U.S. companies abroad. Many students regularly participate in the Japan Exchange Teaching (JET) program after graduation.
Requirements for the Major
The Japanese major requires 35 credits of study (this includes 0-9 credits of General Education GA, GH, or GS courses). At least 22 credits must be at the 400 level. Students are strongly encouraged to take at least 12 of their credits as part of a study abroad program in a Japanese-speaking location. The program encourages students to pursue this Education Abroad experience at any time during their studies at Penn State, with a preference for after completing two years of language instruction for curricular sequencing. Students must earn a “C” or better in all courses applied to their major. Students who are interested in the Japanese major are strongly recommended to first check the Suggested Academic Plan, and you can keep track of your courses by downloading the Japanese major checklist.
Language Coursework (20 credits)
- JAPNS 110 – Level Two Japanese B
- JAPNS 401 – Level Three Japanese A
- JAPNS 402 – Level Three Japanese B
- JAPNS 403Y – Level Four Japanese A
- JAPNS 404 – Level Four Japanese B
JAPNS Coursework (9 credits)
Select 3 credits from:
- JAPNS 120 – Japanese Literature in its Cultural Context
- JAPNS 121N – Japanese Film and New Media
- JAPNS 122 - Gods to Godzilla: A Survey of Japanese Culture
Select 3 credits from:
- JAPNS 430 – Japan in the World
- JAPNS 431 – Courtly Japan
- JAPNS 432 – War and the Warrior in Japan
- JAPNS 433 – Traveling Voices
- JAPNS 434 – Beyond Anime
Select 3 credits from:
JAPNS and Beyond Coursework (6 credits)
Select 6 credits pertaining to Japan, such as courses in art history, Asian studies, Japanese, comparative literature, economics, geography, history, philosophy, political science, religious studies, theatre arts, or other fields, selected from the departmental list below.
Courses not on this list may also count with approval from the Japanese adviser. This approval process is not complex and can be done via e-mail.
- ARCH 317 – Theory of Modern Japanese Architecture
- ARTH 120 – Asian Art and Architecture
- ASIA 003 – Introduction to the Religions of the East
- ASIA 004 – Introduction to Asian Literatures
- ASIA 083S – Asian Studies First Year Seminar
- ASIA 100 – What is Asia?
- ASIA 104 – Introduction to Buddhism
- ASIA 174 – East Asia to 1800
- ASIA 175 – East Asia since 1800
- ASIA 181 – Introduction to the Religions of China and Japan (3)
- ASIA 182 – Asian Trade: Economy, Industrialization and Capitalism in Asia
- ASIA 183 – Gender, Family, and Society in East Asia
- ASIA 184 – Society and Culture in the Pacific
- ASIA 188 – Tibet: People, Places and Spaces
- ASIA 197 – Special topics
- ASIA 200 – What Are Asian Languages?
- ASIA 400 – International Culture in East Asia
- ASIA 401 – Technology & Society in Modern Asia
- ASIA 404Y – Topics in Asian Literature
- ASIA 405Y – Seminar in Asian Studies
- ASIA 457 – Hiroshima & the Holocaust in History and Memory
- ASIA 474 – Early Modern Japan
- ASIA 480 – Japan in the Age of Warriors
- ASIA 481 – Modern Japan Since 1800
- ASIA 487 – Zen Buddhism
- JAPNS 120 – Japanese Literature in its Cultural Context
- JAPNS 121N – Japanese Film and New Media
- JAPNS 122 – Gods to Godzilla: A Survey of Japanese Culture
- JAPNS 210 – Extensive Reading in Japanese
- JAPNS 410 – Japanese through Manga
- JAPNS 426 – Early Modern Japan
- JAPNS 430 – Japan in the World
- JAPNS 431 – Courtly Japan
- JAPNS 432 – War and the Warrior in Japan
- JAPNS 433 – Traveling Voices
- JAPNS 434 – Beyond Anime
- JAPNS 450 – Introduction to Classical Japanese
- JAPNS 452 – Contemporary Japan: Cultures, Lifestyles, Trends
- JAPNS 453 – Japanese Film
- JAPNS 454 – Japanese Literature
- PHIL 007 – Asian Philosophy
- PHIL 439 – Asian Philosophies and Issues
- PLSC 458 – Government and Politics of East Asia
Requirements for the Minor
JAPNS Coursework (10 credits)
Select 4 credits from:
- JAPNS 110 – Level Two Japanese B
- JAPNS 296 – Independent Studies in Japanese
- JAPNS 297 – Special Topics in Japanese
- JAPNS 299 – Foreign Studies in Japanese
Select 6-8 credits from:
- JAPNS 401 – Level Three Japanese A
- JAPNS 402 – Level Three Japanese B
- JAPNS 403Y – Level Four Japanese A
- JAPNS 404 – Level Four Japanese B
- JAPNS 410 – Japanese through Manga
- JAPNS 426 – Early Modern Japan
- JAPNS 430 – Japan in the World
- JAPNS 431 – Courtly Japan
- JAPNS 432 – War and the Warrior in Japan
- JAPNS 433 – Traveling Voices
- JAPNS 434 – Beyond Anime
- JAPNS 450 – Introduction to Classical Japanese
- JAPNS 452 – Contemporary Japan: Cultures, Lifestyles, Trends
- JAPNS 453 – Japanese Film
- JAPNS 454 – Japanese Literature
- JAPNS 496 – Independent Studies in Japanese
- JAPNS 497 – Special Topics in Japanese
- JAPNS 499 – Foreign Studies in Japanese
Advising
Tom Spencer is the undergraduate adviser for the major and minor in Asian Studies, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean. To make an appointment, visit Starfish and hit ‘Log Into Starfish.’ Select “Appointments” and click the “Advisers” link at the top of the page to view Tom Spencer’s hours for the week. Please make an appointment if you need help with:
- Your next semester schedule (language pre-majors and majors)
- Concurrent major planning (feasibility, courses needed)
- Academic difficulty
- Faculty Senate petitions (retroactive withdrawal or registration, etc.)
- Course selection