THE FACULTY OF LANGUAGES
AND LINGUISTICS

VI. DEPARTMENTAL PROGRAMS

EAST ASIAN LANGUAGES AND CULTURES

JAPANESE

Major in Japanese

The Japanese major combines thorough training in spoken and written language with study of Japanese culture through a broad range of materials and approaches, including classical and modern literature, linguistics, history, philosophy, visual arts, and popular culture. Most courses are conducted in Japanese.

Students are expected to study Japanese for four years, regardless of their level when they begin at Georgetown. In addition, all students beginning in the major take “East Asia: Texts and Contexts,” a writing-intensive introduction to East Asian culture taught in English. This is followed by courses in language and culture. Students must take at least one JAPN course taught in English in addition to “East Asia: Texts and Contexts.” One or both semesters of junior year are usually spent abroad. The major culminates in a Senior Seminar paper or Senior Honors Thesis on a topic of the student’s choice relating to Japanese culture.

Majors are strongly recommended to fulfill the history portion of their general education requirement by taking courses in Japanese or Asian history. A variety of Japanese studies courses is also available through other departments, including Economics, Government, International Affairs, Theology, and Art. These can be taken as free electives, or in some cases to fulfill general education requirements. Outside courses can often be counted toward an Asian Studies Certificate. Students should seek help from their department advisors to develop a well-integrated academic program built around their interests and drawing upon this rich variety of resources.

Required Courses

12 courses, including:

• JAPN-024 East Asia: Texts and Contexts (also counts as a Humanities & Writing II gen ed course)
• 9 courses in Japanese language, 5 of which must at the 300-level or above*
• 1 department course on Japanese culture, literature, or linguistics taught in English
• JAPN 459 Senior Seminar

*Note: students must complete or place out of First, Second and Third Level Japanese before enrolling in 300-level language courses

The department strongly recommends that Japanese majors fulfill the general education requirement in history with HIST 124, 125 History of Japan I & II.

Students are encouraged to further their understanding of Japanese culture by participating in the Japan Club, which conducts social and educational activities. Also, a wide range of literary and audio-visual materials concerning Japan is available at the University library. The Freer and Sackler Galleries of Art hold one of the finest collections of East Asian art in the world. The Library of Congress has the largest collection of Japanese books and periodicals outside Japan.

Chinese/Japanese Major with Business Coursework

(See the Business Coursework section of this Bulletin.)

Overseas Studies

Japanese majors are required to spend at least one semester in Japan, and are encouraged to spend up to one year. Special academic programs are available through Georgetown University at International Christian, Keio, Nanzan, Sophia and Waseda Universities. Only language courses will transfer to the major or minor. (See the Overseas Study section of this Bulletin.)

Minor in Japanese

Students majoring in other fields, particularly those involving Asian studies, are encouraged to consider a minor in Japanese. The Japanese minor requires seven JAPN courses, at least six of which must be Japanese language courses or advanced courses conducted in Japanese. The seventh JAPN course may be taught in either Japanese or English.

Asian Studies Certificate

(See section on this topic in the Bulletin. )

(For course listings for Japanese see http://courses.georgetown.edu/

Undergraduate Bulletin 2011-2012 Table of Contents
Copyright 2011, Georgetown University.