Japanese Studies
Experience Japanese language and culture
The Japanese Studies program focuses on Japanese language, literature and culture. More than 130 million people speak Japanese across the world. You will explore Japanese culture and society through an interdisciplinary approach.
Fluency in Japanese and an understanding of Japanese culture will prepare you for professional success in for a variety of careers, such as business, arts, diplomacy, media and education.
As a Japanese major, you’ll have the opportunity to participate in DePaul’s Study Abroad programs in programs in Kyoto, Nagoya or Osaka, where you’ll strengthen your linguistic skills and become immersed in Japanese culture.
We also offer the 3+3 BA/JD program, which allows high-achieving first-year undergraduate students to be admitted simultaneously to the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (LAS) and the College of Law (LAW). You’ll complete your first three years in LAS and your final three years in LAW.
Classes
Coursework
- Japanese Literature
- Japanese Art and Architecture
- History of Japan
- Self, Culture and Society in Contemporary Japan
- Japanese/East Asian Politics
- International Relations
- Religion and Ethics in Japan
- The State and Economic Growth in East Asia
Resources
Career Options
Common Career Areas
- Public policy
- International business
- Translation services
- Governmental work
- Education
- Immigration work
- Social services
- Law
- Human rights
81%
of Modern Languages graduates were employed, continuing their education or not seeking employment after graduation.
Major Requirements
- Six 4-credit courses (24 credit hours) of 200/300-level Japanese with a minimum of three 300-level courses
- Five 4-credit courses (20 credit hours) of 200/300-level Allied Courses from at least three different departments
- Two 4-credit courses (8 credits) of 200/300-level Japanese or Allied Courses
No English-language ("E-designation") courses can be applied toward the "Six Advanced Level Courses in Japanese Language" requirement of the major. Please note the following course sequence for Japanese courses:
| First Year | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Japanese I textbook is completed in one year | ||
| FALL QUARTER | ||
| JPN 101 | BASIC JAPANESE I | 4 |
| WINTER QUARTER | ||
| JPN 102 | BASIC JAPANESE II | 4 |
| SPRING QUARTER | ||
| JPN 103 | BASIC JAPANESE III | 4 |
| Second Year | ||
| Japanese II textbook is completed in one year | ||
| FALL QUARTER | ||
| JPN 104 | INTERMEDIATE JAPANESE I | 4 |
| WINTER QUARTER | ||
| JPN 105 | INTERMEDIATE JAPANESE II | 4 |
| SPRING QUARTER | ||
| JPN 106 | INTERMEDIATE JAPANESE III | 4 |
| Third Year | ||
| Japanese III textbook is completed in one year | ||
| FALL QUARTER | ||
| JPN 201 | ADVANCED JAPANESE I | 4 |
| WINTER QUARTER | ||
| JPN 202 | ADVANCED JAPANESE II | 4 |
| SPRING QUARTER | ||
| JPN 203 | ADVANCED JAPANESE III | 4 |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Alternate 301-303 and 311-313 | ||
| FALL QUARTER | ||
| Even Year | ||
| JPN 311 | ADVANCED DISCUSSION AND READING I | 4 |
| Odd Year | ||
| JPN 301 | ADVANCED JAPANESE IV | 4 |
| WINTER QUARTER | ||
| Odd Year | ||
| JPN 312 | ADVANCED DISCUSSION AND READING II | 4 |
| Even Year | ||
| JPN 302 | ADVANCED JAPANESE V | 4 |
| SPRING QUARTER | ||
| Odd Year | ||
| JPN 313 | ADVANCED DISCUSSION AND READING III | 4 |
| Even Year | ||
| JPN 303 | ADVANCED JAPANESE VI | 4 |
| Fifth Year | ||
| Offered Occasionally; thematic content courses offered in Japanese. Topics include Japanese American History in Chicago, War and Education, Environmental Ethics, etc. | ||
| FALL QUARTER | ||
| JPN 342 | ADVANCED HIGH JAPANESE I [Thematic content course conducted in Japanese] | 4 |
| WINTER QUARTER | ||
| JPN 343 | ADVANCED HIGH JAPANESE II [Thematic content course conducted in Japanese] | 4 |
| SPRING QUARTER | ||
| JPN 344 | ADVANCED HIGH JAPANESE III [Thematic content course conducted in Japanese] | 4 |
JPN 395: FLAC Japanese (2 credits, offered occasionally with an Allied course)
Japanese Studies Allied Course List
Art and Architecture, History of
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| JAPANESE ART | ||
| JAPANESE FILM ARTS | ||
| BUDDHIST ART | ||
| ANIME AND MANGA | ||
| KYOTO (WORLD CITIES) | ||
| SPECIAL TOPICS/HISTORY OF ART & ARCHITECTURE (Japanese Painting and Prints) | ||
| SPECIAL TOPICS/HISTORY OF ART & ARCHITECTURE (Japanese Art and the Warrior Elite) |
History
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| JAPAN TO C. 1200 | ||
| JAPAN c.1200 - 1800 | ||
| JAPAN, c. 1800-PRESENT | ||
| HISTORY FROM PICTURES: VISUAL CULTURE IN EAST ASIAN HISTORY | ||
| CULTURE AND GENDER IN JAPAN | ||
| CAPSTONE IN HISTORICAL RESEARCH AND WRITING |
Literature and Culture
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MODERN JAPANESE LITERATURE | ||
| JAPANESE WOMEN'S LITERARY MASTERPIECES | ||
| JAPANESE POP CULTURE | ||
| ADVANCED HIGH JAPANESE I [Thematic content course conducted in Japanese] | ||
| ADVANCED HIGH JAPANESE II [Thematic content course conducted in Japanese] | ||
| ADVANCED HIGH JAPANESE III [Thematic content course conducted in Japanese] | ||
| FOREIGN LANGUAGES ACROSS THE CURRICULUM [Thematic content course conducted in Japanese] |
Philosophy
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| INTRODUCTION TO ASIAN PHILOSOPHIES |
Political Science
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ASIAN FOREIGN POLICY | ||
| ASIAN POLITICS | ||
| JAPANESE POLITICS | ||
| ADVANCED TOPICS IN COMPARATIVE POLITICS (Japanese Politics, Culture, and Society) |
Religious Studies
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ATOM BOMB DISCOURSE (Atom Bomb Discourse) | ||
| COMPARATIVE ETHICS (Industrial Diseases) | ||
| RELIGION IN JAPANESE HISTORY, SOCIETY, AND CULTURE | ||
| LITERATURE AND RELIGION IN JAPAN | ||
| ZEN MIND |
Open Electives
Open elective credit also is required to meet the minimum graduation requirement of 192 hours.
