Japanese Language Program
The University of Kansas offers Japanese through the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures (EALC).
Why Take Japanese?
In addition to serving as a mediator of Western scientific and technological knowledge for Asia, Japan is a center of commerce, trade, education, and culture in East Asia. Today, in Asia, "Japan is in vogue," writes a Taiwanese scholar. Japan is a trendsetter for Asian fashion, and "Japanese cultural commodities are ubiquitous" throughout Asia (and, one might add, through manga, anime, Godzilla, Ultraman and Pokemon, throughout the West as well.)
Knowledge of Japanese language and culture is an asset in a wide range of careers. Students taking Japanese can also apply for scholarships for language study, including FLAS Fellowships.
Students can use Japanese to fulfill a language requirement, or as part of numerous degree programs, including majors, minors and graduate degrees.
Available Courses
KU offers elementary through advanced coursework in Japanese. See all courses taught at KU below, or check out our list of what's offered for the current semester. For placement information visit the School of Languages, Literatures and Cultures.
- JPN 100 Beginning Japanese I
- An introduction to Japanese. Familiarity with the basic structural patterns of the language through conversation is stressed. The hiragana and katakana syllabaries are introduced and a few characters are learned. Usually offered as part of a Summer Study Abroad Program. LEC.
Spring 2020 Type Time/Place and Instructor Credit Hours Class # LEC Daldorph, Misae
TuTh 04:00-05:30 PM KS-ST FTLV - OFF CAMPUS3 58889 - JPN 101 Beginning Japanese II
- Continuation of JPN 100. Available to students who took JPN 100 as part of the Summer Study Abroad Program. Not available for credit for students who have previously completed JPN 104. Prerequisite: JPN 100 or equivalent. LEC.
The class is not offered for the Spring 2020 semester.
- JPN 104 Elementary Japanese I
- Three hours of lecture, three hours of drill per week. Acquisition of basic language skills (listening, speaking, reading, writing). Not available for credit for students who have previously completed JPN 101. LEC.
The class is not offered for the Spring 2020 semester.
- JPN 108 Elementary Japanese II
- Continuation of JPN 104. Prerequisite: JPN 101, JPN 104, or equivalent. LEC.
Spring 2020 Type Time/Place and Instructor Credit Hours Class # LEC Childs, Maggie
TuTh 09:30-10:45 AM WES 4041 - LAWRENCE5 51835 LEC Childs, Maggie
TuTh 11:00-12:15 PM WES 4041 - LAWRENCE5 51836 LBN Nobuki, Ayumi
MWF 10:00-10:50 AM SUM 514 - LAWRENCE5 51837 LBN Wang, Tingting
MWF 11:00-11:50 AM SUM 514 - LAWRENCE5 51838 LBN Wang, Tingting
MWF 01:00-01:50 PM WES 1015 - LAWRENCE5 51839 LBN Nobuki, Ayumi
MWF 09:00-09:50 AM SUM 514 - LAWRENCE5 53635 - JPN 177 First Year Seminar: _____
- A limited-enrollment, seminar course for first-time freshmen, addressing current issues in Japanese. Course is designed to meet the critical thinking learning outcome of the KU Core. First-Year Seminar topics are coordinated and approved by the Office of First-Year Experience. Prerequisite: First-time freshman status. LEC.
The class is not offered for the Spring 2020 semester.
- JPN 204 Intermediate Japanese I
- Three hours of lecture, three hours of drill. Prerequisite: JPN 108 or equivalent. LEC.
The class is not offered for the Spring 2020 semester.
- JPN 206 Intermediate Japanese Conversation
- Enhancement of conversational ability at the intermediate level. Used primarily to accommodate transfer credits. Prerequisite: JPN 204 or equivalent. LEC.
The class is not offered for the Spring 2020 semester.
- JPN 208 Intermediate Japanese II
- Continuation of JPN 204. Prerequisite: JPN 204. LEC.
Spring 2020 Type Time/Place and Instructor Credit Hours Class # LEC Daldorph, Misae
TuTh 11:00-12:15 PM SUM 424 - LAWRENCE5 48936 LEC Daldorph, Misae
TuTh 09:30-10:45 AM SUM 428 - LAWRENCE5 58425 LBN Niimori, Wataru
MWF 09:00-09:50 AM WES 1016 - LAWRENCE5 48937 LBN Niimori, Wataru
MWF 01:00-01:50 PM WES 1046 - LAWRENCE5 48938 LBN Niimori, Wataru
MWF 10:00-10:50 AM FR 206 - LAWRENCE5 50534 - JPN 226 Japanese in Context - Intermediate
- Supervised and individualized study and practice of language skills through direct experience in interviews and guided practical applications in various public settings in Japan. Some conventional classroom instruction in grammar included. Offered only during the Summer Institute in Hiratsuka, Japan. Prerequisite: Two semesters or the equivalent of Japanese language study. LEC.
The class is not offered for the Spring 2020 semester.
- JPN 233 Special Skills in Japanese: _____
- Instruction in special skills in Japanese, such as pronunciation, recognition of Chinese characters, comprehension of broadcast media, etc. at the freshman/sophomore level. Course work must be arranged through the office of KU Study Abroad and approved by the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures. May be repeated for credit if content varies. LEC.
The class is not offered for the Spring 2020 semester.
- JPN 326 Japanese in Context - Advanced
- Supervised and individualized study and practice of language skills through direct experience in interviews and guided practical applications in various public settings in Japan. Some conventional classroom instruction in grammar and usage. Offered only during the Summer Institute in Hiratsuka, Japan. Prerequisite: Four semesters or the equivalent of Japanese language study. LEC.
The class is not offered for the Spring 2020 semester.
- JPN 333 Special Skills in Japanese: _____
- Instruction in special skills in Japanese, such as pronunciation, recognition of Chinese characters, comprehension of broadcast media, etc. at the junior/senior level. Course work must be arranged through the office of KU Study Abroad and approved by the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures. May be repeated for credit if content varies. LEC.
The class is not offered for the Spring 2020 semester.
- JPN 386 Advanced Japanese Conversation III
- Instruction in discussion in formal contexts and speech making. Prerequisite: JPN 504 or equivalent. LEC.
The class is not offered for the Spring 2020 semester.
- JPN 498 Directed Readings in Japanese
- Readings in Japanese on a subject selected by a student with the advice and direction of the instructor. Individual meetings and reports. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. IND.
Spring 2020 Type Time/Place and Instructor Credit Hours Class # IND Childs, Maggie
APPT- KULC APPT - LAWRENCE1-4 41838 IND Gerbert, Elaine
APPT- KULC APPT - LAWRENCE1-4 41839 - JPN 504 Advanced Modern Japanese I
- Readings in selected modern Japanese texts on various topics: history, education, society, and business. Includes oral discussion and written short essays. Meets five hours per week. Prerequisite: JPN 208 or equivalent. LEC.
The class is not offered for the Spring 2020 semester.
- JPN 508 Advanced Modern Japanese II
- Continuation of JPN 504. Prerequisite: JPN 504 or equivalent. LEC.
Spring 2020 Type Time/Place and Instructor Credit Hours Class # LEC Naito Billen, Yuka
MWF 11:00-11:50 AM LIN 401 - LAWRENCE
TuTh 01:00-02:15 PM SUM 514 - LAWRENCE5 41840 - JPN 542 Introduction to Classical Japanese I
- Introductory grammar and readings in classical Japanese texts. Prerequisite: JPN 508. LEC.
The class is not offered for the Spring 2020 semester.
- JPN 562 Modern Japanese Texts I
- Readings and interpretation of modern Japanese texts from various fields. Continued study of the language in the form of oral discussion and written reports. Prerequisite: JPN 508. LEC.
The class is not offered for the Spring 2020 semester.
- JPN 564 Modern Japanese Texts II
- A continuation of JPN 562. Prerequisite: JPN 562 or equivalent. LEC.
The class is not offered for the Spring 2020 semester.
- JPN 569 Advanced Business Japanese
- This course strengthens reading and writing skills and continues developing conversational ability. It assumes a higher level of competency in Japanese and includes both verbal and non-verbal aspects of Japanese business practices. Prerequisite: Completion of third-year Japanese or equivalent. LEC.
The class is not offered for the Spring 2020 semester.
- JPN 598 Readings in: _____
- Students will read selections from materials on a given topic or topics. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: JPN 564 or permission of instructor. IND.
Spring 2020 Type Time/Place and Instructor Credit Hours Class # IND Naito Billen, Yuka
TuTh 11:00-12:15 PM WES 2106 - LAWRENCE1-3 58390 - JPN 690 Seminar in: _____
- Varying topics with varying prerequisites. LEC.
Spring 2020 Type Time/Place and Instructor Credit Hours Class # LEC Gerbert, Elaine
Tu 03:00-05:00 PM WES 4041 - LAWRENCE
APPT- ONLNE KULC - LAWRENCE1-3 53332 - JPN 801 Directed Readings and Research in Japanese
- Advanced language training for the study of Japanese sources in the humanities or social science field of the student. Prerequisite: JPN 564 or consent of instructor. RSH.
Spring 2020 Type Time/Place and Instructor Credit Hours Class # RSH Childs, Maggie
APPT- KULC APPT - LAWRENCE1-4 41841 RSH Gerbert, Elaine
APPT- KULC APPT - LAWRENCE1-4 41842 RSH Rath, Eric
APPT- KULC APPT - LAWRENCE1-4 46522
Study Abroad
KU offers numerous opportunities to study abroad in Japan. Some of these programs have classes taught in English, while others are opportunities for advanced language study.
Degrees
Japanese language courses can be a part of many degree programs, whether used to fulfill a language requirement, or completing a major, minor or graduate degree focused on East Asia. Here are a few degree programs students frequently combine with Japanese language study, but talk to your academic advisor to explore all your options.
- Many students who study Japanese choose to complete a major, minor, or graduate degree with the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures. The Center for East Asian Studies also offers an M.A. in Contemporary East Asian Studies.
- Many other degree programs within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences offer significant content on Japan, and also require foreign language study, which can be met with Japanese. For more information, look at current degree requirements and course offerings. Some departments to consider include Anthropology, Art History, Film and Media Studies, Geography, Global and International Studies, History, Political Science, Religious Studies, Sociology, and Visual Art.
- For students who want to teach Japanese at the K-12 level, check out degree options through the KU School of Education.
- The KU School of Business offers a concentration in International Business which can include substantial content on East Asian language, culture and business.
- For Law students, KU offers a joint degree in Law and East Asian Languages and Cultures.
Career Planning
- The KU Career Center has online resources for exploring career paths for different majors. Check out the specifics for East Asian Languages and Cultures, or look at those for other majors (including those listed above.)
- KU students can also sign up for a free account with My World Abroad, which has extensive resources on preparing for an international career, including career options, and job search tips.
