Program Overview

Japanese Studies Program

The Japanese Studies program focuses on Japanese language, literature, and culture. With over 130 million people speaking Japanese worldwide, this program provides students with a comprehensive understanding of Japanese culture and society through an interdisciplinary approach. Fluency in Japanese and an understanding of Japanese culture prepare students for professional success in various careers, including business, arts, diplomacy, media, and education.

Program Overview

The program offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in Japanese Studies, with a curriculum that includes coursework in Japanese language, literature, and culture. Students have the opportunity to participate in DePaul's Study Abroad programs in Kyoto, Nagoya, or Osaka, where they can strengthen their linguistic skills and become immersed in Japanese culture.

Major Requirements

The major requirements for the Japanese Studies program include:

• Six 4-credit courses (24 credit hours) of 200/300-level Japanese with a minimum of three 300-level courses
• Five 4-credit courses (20 credit hours) of 200/300-level Allied Courses from at least three different departments
• Two 4-credit courses (8 credits) of 200/300-level Japanese or Allied Courses

Course Sequence

The course sequence for Japanese courses is as follows:

• First Year:
  • Fall Quarter: JPN 101 BASIC JAPANESE I
  • Winter Quarter: JPN 102 BASIC JAPANESE II
  • Spring Quarter: JPN 103 BASIC JAPANESE III
• Second Year:
  • Fall Quarter: JPN 104 INTERMEDIATE JAPANESE I
  • Winter Quarter: JPN 105 INTERMEDIATE JAPANESE II
  • Spring Quarter: JPN 106 INTERMEDIATE JAPANESE III
• Third Year:
  • Fall Quarter: JPN 201 ADVANCED JAPANESE I
  • Winter Quarter: JPN 202 ADVANCED JAPANESE II
  • Spring Quarter: JPN 203 ADVANCED JAPANESE III
• Fourth Year:
  • Alternate 301-303 and 311-313
  • Fall Quarter: Even Year - JPN 311 ADVANCED DISCUSSION AND READING I, Odd Year - JPN 301 ADVANCED JAPANESE IV
  • Winter Quarter: Odd Year - JPN 312 ADVANCED DISCUSSION AND READING II, Even Year - JPN 302 ADVANCED JAPANESE V
  • Spring Quarter: Odd Year - JPN 313 ADVANCED DISCUSSION AND READING III, Even Year - JPN 303 ADVANCED JAPANESE VI
• Fifth Year:
  • Offered Occasionally; thematic content courses offered in Japanese, including:
    • JPN 342 ADVANCED HIGH JAPANESE I
    • JPN 343 ADVANCED HIGH JAPANESE II
    • JPN 344 JAPANESE TRANSLATION PRACTICUM I

Allied Courses

The Allied Course list includes courses from various departments, such as:

• Art and Architecture:
  • HAA 216 JAPANESE ART
  • HAA 219 JAPANESE FILM ARTS
  • HAA 220 BUDDHIST ART
  • HAA 273 ANIME AND MANGA
  • HAA 373 KYOTO (WORLD CITIES)
  • HAA 397 SPECIAL TOPICS/HISTORY OF ART & ARCHITECTURE (Japanese Painting and Prints)
  • HAA 397 SPECIAL TOPICS/HISTORY OF ART & ARCHITECTURE (Japanese Art and the Warrior Elite)
• History:
  • HST 263 JAPAN TO C. 1200
  • HST 264 JAPAN c.1200 - 1800
  • HST 265 JAPAN, c. 1800-PRESENT
  • HST 339 HISTORY FROM PICTURES: VISUAL CULTURE IN EAST ASIAN HISTORY
  • HST 340 CULTURE AND GENDER IN JAPAN
  • HST 390 CAPSTONE IN HISTORICAL RESEARCH AND WRITING
• Literature and Culture:
  • JPN 240 EMODERN JAPANESE LITERATURE
  • JPN 241 EJAPANESE WOMEN'S LITERATURE: GENDER AND SEXUALITY
  • JPN 242 EJAPANESE POP CULTURE
  • JPN 243 ECONTEMPORARY JAPANESE LITERATURE: FROM POSTWAR TO TODAY
  • JPN 244 ELGBTQ JAPAN: CULTURE AND POLITICS
  • JPN 342 ADVANCED HIGH JAPANESE I
  • JPN 343 ADVANCED HIGH JAPANESE II
  • JPN 344 JAPANESE TRANSLATION PRACTICUM I
  • JPN 395 FOREIGN LANGUAGES ACROSS THE CURRICULUM
• Philosophy:
  • PHL 287 INTRODUCTION TO ASIAN PHILOSOPHIES
• Political Science:
  • PSC 246 ASIAN FOREIGN POLICY
  • PSC 253 ASIAN POLITICS
  • PSC 350 JAPANESE POLITICS
  • PSC 359 ADVANCED TOPICS IN COMPARATIVE POLITICS (Japanese Politics, Culture, and Society)
• Religious Studies:
  • REL 202 ATOM BOMB DISCOURSE
  • REL 205 COMPARATIVE ETHICS
  • REL 245 RELIGION IN JAPANESE HISTORY, SOCIETY, AND CULTURE
  • REL 247 LITERATURE AND RELIGION IN JAPAN
  • REL 342 ZEN MIND

Career Options

Graduates of the Japanese Studies program can pursue careers in:

• Public policy
• International business
• Translation services
• Governmental work
• Education
• Immigration work
• Social services
• Law
• Human rights

Outcomes

84% of Japanese Studies graduates were employed, continuing their education, or not seeking employment after graduation.