Loyola's Japanese Program offers three years of Japanese language instruction, courses in Japanese literature in translation, and courses on Japanese film, history, culture, contemporary society, religion and art.

Curriculum

The Japanese Language and Culture minor requires students to complete 18 credit hours. A minimum of 12 credit hours (4 courses) must be Japanese language courses. The remaining 6 credit hours can be additional language courses, courses in Japanese Literature in Translation or other courses focused on Japanese society and culture.

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Courses Satisfying the Japanese Language Requirement
Select a minimum of four of the following:		12
JAPN 101	Japanese I
JAPN 102	Japanese II
JAPN 103	Japanese III
JAPN 104	Japanese IV
JAPN 250	Composition & Conversation I (Prerequisite: JAPN 104 or consent of the instructor)
JAPN 251	Composition & Conversation II (Prerequisite: JAPN 250 or consent of the instructor)
Courses Satisfying the Literature and Culture Component
Select up to two of the following:		6
LITR 245	Asian Masterpieces (Survey of Japanese Literature) 1
LITR 245	Asian Masterpieces (Identity in Modern Japan) 1
LITR 245	Asian Masterpieces (Japanese Pop Culture) 1
LITR 284	International Film (Introduction to Japanese Film) 1
ANTH 215	Contemporary Japanese Culture
FNAR 359	Japanese Art and Culture
HIST 208	East Asia Since 1500
HIST 349	Contemporary Global Issues: Historical Perspectives
HIST 349A	Women in East Asia
PHIL 335	Asian Philosophy
THEO 297	Buddhism
THEO 352	Topics in Buddhism
Total Hours		18

¹

Typically offered as a Writing Intensive course.

Suggested Sequence of Courses

Options Two

Option	Language Courses	Literature, History, Culture
1	6	0
2	5	1
3	4	2

Option 1

Language courses must be taken in sequence.  The courses satisfying the Literature and Culture Component of the Japanese minor can be taken in any order. More than one Literature and Culture Component course can be taken during the same term and Language and Literature and Culture Component courses can be taken during the same semester.  Terms for course offerings may vary. 

The below sequence of courses is meant to be used as a suggested path for completing coursework.  An individual student’s completion of requirements depends on course offerings in a given term as well as the start term for a major or graduate study.  Students should consult their advisor for assistance with course selection.

Plan of Study Grid

Year One
First Semester		Hours
JAPN 101	Japanese I	3
	Hours	3
Second Semester
JAPN 102	Japanese II	3
	Hours	3
Year Two
Third Semester
JAPN 103	Japanese III	3
	Hours	3
Fourth Semester
JAPN 104	Japanese IV	3
	Hours	3
Year Three
Fifth Semester
JAPN 250	Composition & Conversation I	3
	Hours	3
Sixth Semester
JAPN 251	Composition & Conversation II	3
	Hours	3
	Total Hours	18

Option 2

Language courses must be taken in sequence.  The courses satisfying the Literature and Culture Component of the Japanese minor can be taken in any order. More than one Literature and Culture Component course can be taken during the same term and Language and Literature and Culture Component courses can be taken during the same semester.  Terms for course offerings may vary.  The below grid is to be used as a suggestion on how to complete the minor.

Plan of Study Grid

Year One
Semester I		Hours
JAPN 101	Japanese I 1	3
	Hours	3
Semester II
JAPN 102	Japanese II 1	3
	Hours	3
Year Two
Semester III
JAPN 103	Japanese III	3
	Hours	3
Semester IV
JAPN 104	Japanese IV	3
	Hours	3
Year Three
Semester V
JAPN 250	Composition & Conversation I	3
	Hours	3
Semester VI
Literature and Culture Component Elective		3
	Hours	3
	Total Hours	18

¹

Students are allowed opt out of JAPN coursework based on proficiency.  Students should consult with the Japanese Language and Culture Program Director to be placed in the correct starting course for the language sequence.  Should a student opt out of JAPN 101, they must take JAPN 251 to complete Option 2 sequence.

Option 3

Language courses must be taken in sequence.  The courses satisfying the Literature and Culture Component of the Japanese minor can be taken in any order. More than one Literature and Culture Component course can be taken during the same term and Language and Literature and Culture Component courses can be taken during the same semester.  Terms for course offerings may vary.  The below grid is to be used as a suggestion on how to complete the minor.

Plan of Study Grid

Year One
Semester I		Hours
JAPN 101	Japanese I 1	3
	Hours	3
Semester II
JAPN 102	Japanese II 1	3
	Hours	3
Year Two
Semester III
JAPN 103	Japanese III	3
	Hours	3
Semester IV
JAPN 104	Japanese IV	3
	Hours	3
Year Three
Semester V
Literature and Culture Component Elective #1		3
	Hours	3
Semester VI
Literature and Culture Component Elective #2		3
	Hours	3
	Total Hours	18

¹

Students are allowed opt out of JAPN coursework based on proficiency.  Students should consult with the Japanese Language and Culture Program Director to be placed in the correct starting course for the language sequence.  Should a student opt out of JAPN 101 and JAPN 102, they must take JAPN 250 and JAPN 251 to complete Option 2 sequence.

Study in Japan 

Students minoring in Japanese are encouraged to study in Japan. Many attend our prestigious sister Jesuit school, Sophia University in Tokyo, for one or two semesters. Others students have studied at Kansai Gaidai University in Osaka, and International Christian University in Tokyo. Study abroad programs are available in many parts of Japan.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:

• Understand, speak, read, and write Japanese at the advanced novice level or higher
• Employ social routines used by Japanese in daily life
• Apply their knowledge and appreciation of Japanese history, culture, and society to understand the contexts in which contemporary Japanese is used
• Use the language learning skills they acquire for continuing self-directed study of Japanese