Program Overview

Introduction to Japanese Program

The Japanese program at the University of Canterbury is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the Japanese language, history, and culture. Japan is one of the most influential nations in the Asia-Pacific region, and learning Japanese will be a great asset to students' studies.

What Will My Study Involve?

Studies in Japanese involve more than just reading, writing, and speaking. It will also involve learning the culture and the impact it has on Aotearoa and the world. Students will become experts in Japanese language, history, and culture, and will have the opportunity to participate in exchange programs with various universities throughout Japan.

Courses

Major and Minor students in Japanese will start with the language course appropriate to their Japanese language proficiency level. The 100-level language course JAPA125 Elementary Japanese A is for beginners or those with very little previous experience in Japanese language. Those with prior knowledge of the Japanese language may be given direct entry to higher level courses by showing evidence of previous study or sitting a placement test.

Japanese Major

The Japanese major in the Bachelor of Arts consists of both language and culture courses of at least 135 points, including at least 105 of those points above 100-level. The following courses are required:

• 100-level: JAPA108 Introduction to Japanese Culture
• 200-level: JAPA208 Japanese Society OR JAPA212 Japanese Society and Culture in Film and Literature
• 300-level: JAPA326 Advancing Japanese B

Japanese Minor

For the minor in the Bachelor of Arts, Commerce, Digital Screen, Health, Product Design, Science, Social and Environmental Sustainability, Sport, or Youth and Community Leadership, students must complete the following courses:

• 75 points in 100 to 300-level JAPA courses, with at least 45 points above 100-level, and including at least one Japanese language course

Career Opportunities

Knowing languages is a highly sought-after skill, and it helps with cross-cultural relationships and allows students to pursue a career in different parts of the world. Many UC graduates have been granted opportunities to continue their studies or careers in Japan. Career pathways can include:

• Interpreting and translation
• Tourism
• International relations
• Education

Qualifications

The Japanese program is available in the following qualifications:

• Certificate in Arts
• Certificate in Languages
• Diploma in Arts
• Diploma in Languages
• Bachelor of Arts
• Bachelor of Arts (Specialisations)
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Digital Screen with Honours
• Bachelor of Health
• Bachelor of Product Design
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Social and Environmental Sustainability
• Bachelor of Sport
• Bachelor of Youth and Community Leadership

Related Subjects

Students may also be interested in the following related subjects:

• Computational Linguistics
• Linguistics