Program Overview

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East Asian Studies: Japanese Culture Emphasis

Overview

Immerse yourself in the culture of past, present, and future Japan. Students in the Bachelor of Arts in East Asian Studies program pick from one of two emphases: language or culture. The Japanese Culture Intensive emphasis introduces students to the traditions, history, culture, and religion of Japan, including some instruction in the Japanese language. Understanding the nuances of this nation in the third-largest economy in the world is essential for students who wish to work internationally or gain a global mindset. Skills acquired include articulate communication, critical thinking, research, and argument construction. Students are encouraged to pursue opportunities to study abroad in Japan.

Learning Outcomes

• Communication: Students will be able to express themselves effectively in written and verbal communication.
• Use Information Effectively and Critically: Students will be able to identify, locate, and evaluate sources for the study of East Asian cultures.
• Argument Construction: Students will be able to articulate the commonalities, complexity, and diversity within and across East Asian cultures.
• Critical Thinking: Students will be able to articulate and apply appropriate disciplinary methods to the study of East Asian languages and cultures.
• Cultural Understanding: Students will demonstrate an understanding of tradition and transformation in at least one cultural region of East Asia and will explain and value differences between cultures.
• Proficient Communication in an East Asian Language: Students will learn to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, with speakers of Chinese, Japanese, or Korean and to read materials in the target language.

Program Details

Sample Courses

• EAS 160A5: Languages and Cultures of East Asia
• JPN 245: Japanese Anime and Visual Culture
• JPN 310: Japanese Literature and War

Career Fields

• Academics
• Foreign affairs
• International business
• Journalism
• Law

Level of Math

• General Knowledge

This strand involves the general understanding and appreciation of how mathematics is used to solve problems in everyday life. The G-strand does not prepare a student for any further work grounded in mathematics and assumes the student will not proceed beyond the basic Foundations level noted above. Thus, only those students whose major requires the most general knowledge of mathematics should take this strand.

Level of Second Language

• 4th Semester Proficiency

Fourth-semester skill level in a second language is required. B.A. degree students may fulfill this requirement with one of the following options:

• Scoring the equivalent of fourth-semester skill level on an entrance or placement examination administered by The University of Arizona.
• Completion of a two-course sequence beyond the second semester of post-secondary language instruction.
• Completion with a C or higher of a 300- or 400-level language course at the post-secondary level.
• Completion of one course beyond the third semester in combination with an AP (Advanced Placement) score, IB (International Baccalaureate) score, or a CLEP (College Level Entrance Program) score determined by the individual language department.
• An AP, IB, or CLEP language score determined by individual language departments
• A minimum of one semester study abroad in a language program approved by the appropriate language department as the equivalent of fourth-semester skill level.

Pre-major Required?

• No

This Major's College

• College of Humanities

Degree

• Bachelor of Arts

Sample Plans

2025, East Asian Studies: Japanese Culture Emphasis

• 4-Year Sample Plan
• Map Transfer Coursework

First Year

1st Semester

• ENGL 101 - First Year Composition (3 credits)
• JPN 101 - Elementary Japanese (5 credits)
• MATH (3 credits)
• GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections (3 credits)
• Introduction to the General Education Experience (Entry Course) (1 credit)
• General Elective (1 credit)

2nd Semester

• ENGL 102 - First Year Composition (3 credits)
• JPN 102 - Elementary Japanese (5 credits)
• GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections (3 credits)
• GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections (3 credits)
• General Elective (2 credits)

Second Year

3rd Semester

• JPN 201 - Intermediate Japanese (5 credits)
• EAS 201 - Myth, Mind, and Memory (3 credits)
• GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections (3 credits)
• GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections (3 credits)
• GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections (3 credits)

4th Semester

• JPN 202 - Intermediate Japanese (5 credits)
• EAS 202 - Symbol, Society, and Social Change: Contemporary East Asia (3 credits)
• GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections (3 credits)
• General Education Portfolio (Exit Course) (1 credit)
• General Elective (3 credits)

Third Year

5th Semester

• Upper Division Japanese Elective (3 credits)
• Upper Division Japanese Elective (3 credits)
• Japanese Elective (3 credits)
• Minor Course (3 credits)
• General Elective (3 credits)

6th Semester

• 400 Level Japanese Elective (3 credits)
• Upper Division Japanese Elective (3 credits)
• Minor Course (3 credits)
• Minor Course (3 credits)
• Upper Division General Elective (3 credits)

Fourth Year

7th Semester

• 400 Level Japanese Elective (3 credits)
• Upper Division Japanese Elective (1 credit)
• Upper Division Minor Course (3 credits)
• Upper Division Minor Course (3 credits)
• Upper Division Minor Course (3 credits)

8th Semester

• EAS 498 - Capstone (2 credits)
• Upper Division General Elective (3 credits)
• Japanese Elective (2 credits)
• General Elective (3 credits)
• General Elective (3 credits)