ACADEMIC PROGRAM
The academic program is designed to develop language skills and to explore facets of Japanese society and culture. During each fifteen-week semester, students take intensive language training and two courses in Japanese studies.
Japanese Language Training.
The Japanese language program emphasizes the development of speaking and reading skills. Language classes meet two hours per day, five days a week. The Program can accommodate students who have had one to four years of prior language training. The Japanese language teachers are native speakers with graduate training in Japanese linguistics or the teaching of Japanese as a second language.Japanese Studies Course.
The Japanese studies courses provide a broad introduction to Japanese society and culture. Japanese studies courses each meet three hours each week. Courses change somewhat each year, but are usually offered in the following areas.
- Japanese Art History
- Sociology/Anthropology of Japan
- Business in Japan
- Japanese Religion
- Japanese Literature
- Economics of Japan
- Japanese Linguistics
Subject to approval, students may pursue independent study projects guided by advisors or tutors, as appropriate.
Where possible, courses include field trips to relevant sites. Recently, classes have visited law courts, corporations, and the historical sites in Kyoto and Nara.
Faculty for the Japanese studies courses are selected from the faculty of Konan University and from American scholars residing in Japan.
CREDIT
As a program of the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures, courses are given full University of Illinois academic credit. Registration in the program is counted toward the University's residency requirement for UIUC students.Students from non-consortium schools receive credit on a University of Illinois transcript which can be used to transfer credit to your home university.
Students from consortium universities receive credit from their own universities. Please check with your campus coordinator for details.