Academics

Academic Program

Every term, students enroll for a total of 16 points in the following:

Japanese Language, 8 points

Studying in class -- Jenna Moriwaki, 2007-2008

Mandatory for all program participants. Offered at the third-year, fourth-year, and fifth-year levels, Japanese language studies make up the core of the KCJS academic curriculum. Led by a group of dedicated and experienced instructors, the classes "The small classroom size and the KCJS students who are all very eager to improve their Japanese help to set up a great environment for learning." meet for two hours every morning, Monday through Friday, and cover all areas of language study. Students are divided into small classes of five to 10 students according to their language proficiency level, which is determined by a placement exam and interview given during orientation.

An integral component of the Japanese language program is the Community Involvement Project (CIP) which is designed to support Japanese language learning through integration with the local community. All students pursue a personal interest by participating in volunteer work, joining an activity circle, or privately studying a Japanese art with a mentor. The CIP provides a framework for students to become involved in these activities by focusing on how to build networking skills and how to manage cross-cultural encounters, and through group sessions, reports, and presentations, encouraging students to reflect on these experiences.

KCJS Courses, 8 points

Students choose two 4-point courses from the categories below.

Disciplinary Courses

Each academic year, nine to 11 disciplinary courses are offered in English by leading Japanese and American professors. "Complementing the language program, my Japanese Studies classes which were held in the afternoons gave me deeper insights into Japanese culture and society."Disciplinary courses cover basic to relatively advanced topics in the humanities and social sciences, with offerings on premodern and modern Japan. These courses integrate the rich resources of the Kyoto area into the curriculum through course-related field trips, performances, and meetings with experts and practitioners. Courses that have been offered in the past include Modern Japanese Fiction, Japanese Religion in Context, Japanese Politics and Public Policy, Edo Art and Culture, Japanese Growth and Business Development, and Traditional Japanese Theater: Noh and Kyogen.

On a rotating basis each academic year, a KCJS member institution sends a faculty member to serve as the KCJS professor and to teach one or two courses per term. Courses that have been offered in the past include:

Zodiac Animals, Kansai Arts Excursion -- Adam Goldstein 2007-2008
Cities and Civilization in Japanese History, The Meiji Restoration, History of Postwar Japan, Japan Since 1600, Protest in Early and Modern Japan, Writing War in Japan, and Demonic Women.

KCJS students are joined by Kyoto University students who participate in these courses and enhance the classroom discussions.

Courses for Advanced Language Students

During the spring semester, the following 4-point courses are also offered to students who possess advanced language skills. (These courses may not replace the Japanese language courses.)

Courses Taught in Japanese

These courses are taught by Japanese professors in their areas of specialization and further improve Japanese reading and conversational skills. Typically two or three of these courses are arranged each year in academic fields such as women’s studies, economics, and history. These courses are taught partially or entirely in Japanese.

Independent Study

An opportunity for full year students during the spring semester to explore a specific research topic in-depth and to acquire the methodological and analytical skills necessary for academic research.

Note: The University reserves the right to withdraw or modify the courses of instruction or to change the instructors as may become necessary.

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Courses

2009-2010

Japanese Language courses (required each term)

  • KC4205x or 4206y:Third year Japanese
  • KC4217x or 4218y: Fourth year Japanese
  • KC4221x or 4222y: Fifth year Japanese

KCJS Courses: Fall 2009

  • KC3993:1: Japanese Civilization
  • KC3993:2: JapaneseTheater
  • KC3993:3: Kyoto: The Past in the Present
  • KC3993:4: Kyoto Houses and the Japanese Lifestyle
  • KC3993:5: Japanese-American Cultural Interchange in a Global Age
  • KC3340: Japanese Growth and Business Development

KCJS Courses: Spring 2010

  • KC3994:1: Postwar Fiction and Film
  • KC3994:2: Political Economy of Japan: Continuity and Change
  • KC3994:3: Lost in Translation
  • KC3994:4: The Japanese Woodblock Print: Ukiyo-e into Hanga
  • KC3628: Japanese Religion in Context
  • KC3402: Women's Issues in Japan
  • KC3998: Independent Study

To download complete course descriptions, please click on Course Descriptions 2009-2010.

2008-2009

Japanese Language courses (required each term)

  • KC4205x or 4206y:Third year Japanese
  • KC4217x or 4218y: Fourth year Japanese
  • KC4221x or 4222y: Fifth year Japanese

KCJS Courses: Fall 2008

  • KC3993:1: Modern Japanese Literature
  • KC3993:2: Japanese History Through Film and Other Texts
  • KC3993:3: Japanese Popular Literature and Culture
  • KC3340: Japanese Growth and Business Development
  • KC3333: Kansai Area Arts
  • KC3355:Traditional Japanese Theatre: Noh and Kyogen

KCJS Courses: Spring 2009

  • KC3994:1: Raku Raku Kyoto
  • KC3994:2: Political Economy of Japan: Continuity and Changes
  • KC3994:3: Lost in Translation
  • KC3994:4:The Japanese Woodblock Print: Ukiyo-e into Hanga
  • KC3628: Japanese Religion in Context: Religion and Modernity in Japan
  • KC3402: Women's Issues in Japan
  • KC3998: Independent Study

To download complete course descriptions, please click on Course Descriptions 2008-2009.

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