(Offered within the Department of Asian Studies)
Learning Japanese introduces you to a dynamic nation of 126 million people at the hub of technological innovation, trade, and diplomatic relations in the world’s fastest-growing market: the Pacific Rim. It introduces you to a modern country that has maintained a distinct cultural identity; to a society that still emphasizes the individual’s responsibilities to family and group; and to an economy with distinctive solutions to problems of productivity, management, and motivation in the work place. It introduces you to the earliest non-Western nation to become a modern world power. St. Olaf teaches four full years of Japanese language and sends language students to three different campuses in Japan.
Overview of the Major
To fulfill a Japanese major, students will demonstrate both linguistic and cultural competence. For linguistic and language skills, Japanese majors will possess proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing at the American Council of Teaching Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Intermediate-Mid level as well as metalinguistic and intercultural awareness of the use of Japanese language in different social milieus.
Additionally, students will be able to analyze, interpret, and critique various discourses and cultural productions from and about Japan through their liberal arts studies, which may include literature, art, history, religion, philosophy, and/or politics.
Special Programs
Study programs in Japan are available at Waseda University in Tokyo, Nagoya University in Nagoya, and Hokusei Gakuen University in Sapporo. Department faculty also offer January Term courses in Japan through the Asian Conversations program, among other opportunities.
Requirements for the Major
Course List | Code | Title | Credits |
| JAPAN 231 | Intermediate Japanese I | 1.00 |
| JAPAN 232 | Intermediate Japanese II | 1.00 |
| JAPAN 301 | Advanced Japanese I | 1.00 |
| JAPAN 302 | Advanced Japanese II | 1.00 |
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| Total Credits | 9 |
*By completing this major, the student also satisfies the OLE Core Writing in the Major requirement.
For students double-majoring in Asian Studies and Chinese or Japanese, the following rules apply: 231 and 232 can count for both the language and area studies majors; one 300-level course taught in English can count for both the language and area studies major; two level three language courses can count for both the language and area studies major; and two of the three Asian Conversations courses can count towards the language majors with the third course counting for the area studies major.
For information about the Asian studies concentration or the Asian studies major, see Asian Studies.
JAPAN 111: Beginning Japanese I
This course is an introduction to speaking, reading, and writing Japanese; writing includes the learning of all syllabic letters (Hiragana and Katakana) and basic Kanji (Chinese characters). Class meets four times weekly. Individual language laboratory visits are also required. Offered annually in the fall semester. Does not count toward Japanese major.
JAPAN 112: Beginning Japanese II
This course is an introduction to speaking, reading, and writing Japanese; writing includes the learning of all syllabic letters (Hiragana and Katakana) and basic Kanji (Chinese characters). Class meets four times weekly. Individual language laboratory visits are also required. Offered annually in the spring semester. Does not count toward Japanese major.
Prerequisite: JAPAN 111 or equivalent.
JAPAN 231: Intermediate Japanese I
Students continue to develop the listening, speaking, reading and writing skills that enable them to deal not only with topics of daily life, but also cultural themes and authentic materials. Class meets four times weekly. Individual language laboratory visits are also required. Offered annually in the fall semester. Also counts toward Asian studies major and concentration.
Prerequisite: JAPAN 112 or equivalent.
JAPAN 232: Intermediate Japanese II
Students continue to develop the listening, speaking, reading and writing skills that enable them to deal not only with topics of daily life, but also cultural themes and authentic materials. Class meets four times weekly. Individual language laboratory visits are also required. Offered annually in the spring semester. Also counts toward Asian studies major and Asian studies and business and management studies concentrations.
Prerequisite: JAPAN 231 or equivalent.
JAPAN 294: Academic Internship
JAPAN 298: Independent Study
JAPAN 301: Advanced Japanese I
This third year-level course aims to increase the knowledge of Japanese people, language, and society by comparing with students' own cultures in their target language. Various authentic "texts" (images, video clips, written texts, etc.) support student learning. Offered annually in the fall semester. Also counts toward Asian studies major and Asian studies and business and management studies concentrations.
Prerequisite: JAPAN 232 or equivalent.
JAPAN 302: Advanced Japanese II
This course builds on Japanese 301 and aims to increase the knowledge of Japanese people, language, and society by comparing with students' own cultures in their target language. Authentic "texts" (images, video clips, written texts, etc.) support student learning. Offered annually in the spring semester. Also counts toward Asian studies major and Asian studies and business and management studies concentrations.
Prerequisite: JAPAN 301 or equivalent.
JAPAN 320: Special Topics in Japanese
In this fourth-year-level Japanese course, students explore a specified topic or theme in language, in various text/media (literature, newspaper, manga, and films), in culture/civilization, or in a combination of these, through close examination of texts (written or visual), discussion, analysis, and interpretation of selected materials. Sample topics include" Best Sellers and Film Adaptations" and "Haiku and the Concept of Nature." May be repeated if topic is different. Taught in Japanese. Also counts toward Asian studies major and concentration.
Prerequisite: JAPAN 302 or equivalent.
JAPAN 394: Academic Internship
JAPAN 398: Independent Research
Courses Focused on Japan/Japanese
ART 260 The Arts of Japan
ASIAN 126 Language in Japanese Society
ASIAN 224 Page to Screen: Modern Japanese Literature in Film
ASIAN 230 The Philosophy of Anime
ASIAN 235 Modern Japanese Literature (in English translation)
AS/ES 277 Environmental Sustainability in Japan (study abroad)
HIST 253 Modern Japan
Courses Focused on Japan/Japanese with Cross-Cultural/Regional/Global Comparative Perspectives
ASCON 215 Asian Conversations III (study abroad)
ASCON 216 Asian Conversations III (on campus)
ASCON 220 Asian Conversations: Engaging Asia with Voice and Representation
ASIAN 121 Asian Cultures in Comparative Perspectives
ASIAN 123 Asia in America
ASIAN 200 Topics in Asian Studies
ASIAN 255 Engaging Asia: San Francisco (study away)
ASIAN 268 The Art of Calligraphy: Techniques and Appreciation
ASIAN 282 Second Language Acquisition and Pedagogy in an Asian Context
ASIAN 310 Buddhism through Text and Image
ASIAN 333 What is a Hero?
ASIAN 397 Seminar: Human Rights/Asian Context
ASIAN 399 Seminar for Asian Studies Majors
AS/PS 255 Politics in Asia
AS/RE 256 Religions of China and Japan
AS/RE 257 Buddhism
AS/RE 289 Buddhism, Peace and Justice
HIST 240 Methods Seminar: Histories of Africa, Asia, and Latin America (depending on content and instructor)
HIST 345 East Asia Seminar
PHIL 117 Confucius, Buddha, and Socrates
PHIL 127 Zen and the Art of Judo
PHIL 249 Asian Philosophy
PSCI 245 Asian Regionalism
