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1998-99 UAF Catalog

Degrees and Programs


Japanese Studies

College of Liberal Arts
Interdisciplinary

Degree: B.A.

Minimum Requirements for Degree: 130 credits

This program provides an in-depth study of Japanese language and culture aimed at applying linguistic skills and cultural insights to specific career opportunities.

Japanese is classified among the most difficult of foreign languages for American students. The highlight of the major is, therefore, one semester of intensive study in Japan during the junior or senior year. This interdisciplinar program culminates in a senior seminar on contemporary Japan. Students will begin their research project for the seminar while studying at our exchange university, Nagoya Gakuin, or at another pre-approved program. Students are encouraged to use this major in conjunction with a discipline-based major.

Undergraduate Program

Major

Japanese Studies -- B.A. Degree

Concentrations: International Business, Language and Literature ***

  1. Complete the general university requirements.
  2. Complete the B.A. degree requirements.
  3. Complete the following program (major) requirements:*
    GEOG 311W -- Geography of Asia (3 credits)
    HIST 121 -- East Asian Civilization (3)
         or HIST 122 -- East Asian Civilization (3) (3 credits)
    HIST 331 -- Modern Japan (3 credits)
    JPN 301 -- Advanced Japanese** (3 credits)
    JPN 302O -- Advanced Japanese** (3 credits)
    JPN 332 -- Japanese Cultural Traditions (3 credits)
    JPN 475 -- Seminar on Contemporary Japan (3 credits)
    JPN 497 -- Advanced language study in Japan (12 credits)
  4. Complete 1 of the following concentrations:*

    International Business (with business minor)

    1. Complete 4 of the following:
      BA 343 -- Principles of Marketing (3)
           or BA 390 -- Organizational Theory and Behavior (3) **** (3 credits)
      BA 460 -- International Business (3 credits)
      ECON 463O -- International Economics (3 credits)
      GEOG 405 -- Political Geography (3 credits)
      PS 312W -- East Asian Governments and Politics (3 credits)
      PS 321W -- International Politics (3)
      or PS 322 -- International Law and Organization (3) (3 credits)
    2. Minimum credits required (130 credits)

    Language and Literature (recommended with minor in linguistics or English)

    1. Complete the following:
      JPN 431 -- Studies in Japanese Culture (3)
           or JPN 432 -- Studies of Literature in Japanese (3) (3 credits)
      LING 101 -- Nature of Language (3 credits)
    2. Complete 2 of the following:
      ENGL 310 -- Literary Criticism (3 credits)
      JPN 331W -- Women's Voices in Japanese Literature (3 credits)
      JPN 497 -- Individual Study and Practicum: Teaching Japanese as a Second Language (3 credits)
      LING 303W,O -- Language Acquisition (3 credits)
      LING 410O -- Theory and Methods of Second Language Teaching (3 credits)
    3. Minimum credits required (130 credits)

* Student must earn a "C" grade or better in each course.

** These courses are offered in the Japanese language. Students may study in Japan during their junior year, as long as they complete a minimum of 18 credits of Japanese language at the upper division level to fulfill the Japanese studies core requirements. 15 credits of language may be taken in Japan, and at least three upper division language credits must be taken in residence at UAF.

*** Other career options may be designed with consent of the program committee.

**** Whichever was not taken for the minor.

Note: Where appropriate 9 credits required in any concentration area may be counted toward the B.A. degree requirements or the minor, but not both.

Note: Students planning a double major for a single B.A. may double count a maximum of 9 credits from the major requirements toward a second major. Students earning two degrees (BA/BBA) are not subject to double counting restrictions.