Minor in Japanese Language & Literature

Minors in Japanese reach advanced proficiency in the Japanese language through at least third-year Japanese, and acquire a solid foundation in the study of Japanese literature and culture. Many students study abroad for a term or year at the Kyoto Consortium for Japanese Studies or through our exchange at Keio University in Tokyo. The minor is frequently combined with majors such as International Relations, History, Asian Studies, Computer Science, Economics, Business Management, and History of Art & Architecture. Graduating Japanese minors have gone on to jobs in government, consulting, translation, and education, as well as graduate programs in law, medicine, management, and East Asian Studies.

Learning Outcomes

• Knowledge of major themes and genres in Japanese literature and culture in their historical contexts, including links to other East Asian and world literary traditions.
• Critical thinking, communication, and writing skills within areas of content and cultural knowledge.
• Familiarity with fundamental research skills for Japanese studies, including use of traditional and electronic sources.
• Proficiency in speaking, reading, writing, and listening comprehension in Japanese at the intermediate-high level as measured by ACTFL guidelines.

Prerequisites

• CAS LJ 111, CAS LJ 112, and CAS LJ 211
  OR
• equivalent placement test results

Requirements

A grade of C or higher is required in all courses taken toward the minor. Unless otherwise noted, all courses are 4 unit hours.

Six CAS LJ courses numbered 212 and above are required for the minor and must include:

• CAS LJ 212 Fourth-Semester Japanese*
• CAS LJ 303 Third-Year Modern Japanese I*
• At least one course in Japanese literature

*Students who place above CAS LJ 212 and/or CAS LJ 303 will replace those courses with other LJ courses numbered 304 and above to total six courses for the minor.

Up to four courses taken in Japan through Boston University’s Study Abroad Program may count toward the minor. Students may include up to three transfer courses from other colleges, universities, or non–Boston University study abroad programs (but only with approval of the minor advisor) and must take a minimum of three courses (or a minimum of two, if they have four courses approved for units toward the minor from the above-mentioned programs in Japan) on the Charles River Campus. Internships taken through Boston University or other study abroad programs may not be credited toward the minor.

Hub: Courses taken for the Japanese minor will ordinarily also satisfy BU Hub requirements in Philosophical, Aesthetic, and Historical Interpretation; Diversity, Civic Engagement, and Global Citizenship; and Communication, along with requirements in the Intellectual Toolkit.

Placement Test

A placement test is required of all students whose most recent course in Japanese was taken while in high school or at a college other than Boston University and who wish to continue their study of this language here. Information about online testing is available at the World Languages & Literatures Department website.