Japanese

major

Foreign Languages and Literatures

The Japanese specialization in Foreign Languages and Literatures develops proficiency in the Japanese language and acquaints students with the literature and cultural history of Japan. Courses are also available for those interested in business Japanese, classical Japanese, film, and women's studies.

About this Program

To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college, and major requirements.

Department Information

Home to 15 different language programs, the Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures (LLC) offers training in languages and cultures from all corners of the globe. From Swahili to Italian, Russian to Vietnamese, LLC gives students the opportunity to become cross-cultural experts in an increasingly internationalized world.
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CONTACT

Email | 352.392.2422 (tel) | 352.392.1443 (fax)

P.O. Box 115565
301 PUGH HALL
GAINESVILLE FL 32611-5565
Map

 Curriculum

The BA in Foreign Languages and Literatures (FLL) provides students with a comprehensive knowledge of a specific language (or languages) and advanced familiarity with the cultural practices and traditions associated with the language(s) of specialization. The major in FLL enhances critical thinking and communication skills and provides students with a cross-cultural understanding of our contemporary world. The program allows students the flexibility to explore a single or dual language specialization as well as the opportunity to study culture through interdisciplinary fields of critical concentration, such as Comparative Cultural Studies, Film and Visual Culture, Intensive Area Studies, Literary Studies, and Medieval and Early Modern Studies. A major in FLL offers an excellent basis for a variety of careers, including graduate study in an area of foreign language and culture and/or in the humanities and social sciences, as well as careers in education, international development, diplomacy and government, national security, communications, law, journalism, arts and culture, publishing, and global business. Participation in UF study-abroad programs or a UF approved program is highly encouraged.

The Japanese specialization of the Foreign Languages and Literatures major provides a foundation for graduate-level work in East Asian studies or allied fields (anthropology, art history, history, linguistics, political science, and religion). The specialization is excellent general preparation for entry to professional schools (business, journalism, law, and medicine) or careers in foreign service, commerce, diplomacy, translation, business, import and export of information and culture, museums, libraries, and tourism.

Coursework for the Major

The Japanese specialization in Foreign Languages and Literatures consists of preparatory language study at the lower division (1000 and 2000 level), and 33 credits of advanced language, theory, and culture study in the upper division (3000 level and above).

All coursework for the major must be completed with minimum grades of C.

Required Foundation Coursework | 23 Credits

JPN 1130Beginning Japanese 15
JPN 1131Beginning Japanese 25
JPN 2230Intermediate Japanese 15
JPN 2231Intermediate Japanese 25
LIN 3010Introduction to Linguistics3
Total Credits23

Required Core Coursework | 33 Credits

Advanced Language and Culture
JPN 3410Advanced Japanese 13
JPN 3411Advanced Japanese 23
JPT 3500Japanese Culture3
Advanced Elective Coursework
Select 15 credits with at least six credits at the 4000 level and at least one course with a JPW prefix:15
Business Japanese
Language in Japanese Society
Japanese Translation: Theory and Practice
Structure of Japanese
Individual Study
Undergraduate Research in Language or Linguistics
Special Topics in Japanese Studies
Senior Honors Thesis
Tales of Kyoto
Modern Japanese Fiction in Translation
Contemporary Japanese Literature: Postwar to Postmodern
Classical Japanese Poetry
Samurai War Tales
Early Modern Japanese Literature
Introduction to Japanese Film
Monsters and Horror in Japan
Japanese Visual Culture
The Tale of Genji
Japanese Folklore
Undergraduate Research in English Translation
Classical Japanese 1
Classical Japanese 2
Readings in Japanese Literature
Japanese Texts and Contexts
Undergraduate Research in Target Language
Critical Concentration
Although courses may appear in more than one group they may be counted toward only one group
Select 9 credits from one area:9
Intensive Area Studies: Japanese (Recommended for those planning to pursue careers requiring advanced level skills in Japanese or graduate work in Japanese studies)
Contemporary Cultural Studies
Film and Visual Culture
Literary Studies
Medieval and Early Modern Studies
Total Credits33

All languages offered through this department may fulfill college language requirements. Students pursuing the Japanese specialization in Foreign Languages and Literatures are not allowed to minor in Asian studies (either option 1 or 2).

Transfer Students Interested in Majoring in Japanese

If a student's current institution does not offer Japanese and the student has no previous knowledge of Japanese, it's recommended that they take the following Summer Intensive Beginning Japanese program:

Summer A: JPN 1130. A minimum grade C is required to advance to the next level course.

Summer B: JPN 1131.

Overseas Study

Two year-long study abroad programs are available in Japan. The Asian Studies Program at Kansai Gaidai University in Osaka, Japan is specifically designed for international students for an academic year program of study abroad. The program offers courses in Japanese language (all levels) and area studies focusing on Japan and its international role. Another academic year study abroad program at Aoyama Gakuin, Tokyo, offers students the challenge of taking courses in the target language, thus it is limited to those who have completed three years of language study at UF, or the equivalent. These two programs also offer the option of one semester of study abroad.

There is a one or two semester study abroad program at Shimane University in Matsue, Japan. This program focuses on Japanese language, culture, history, and environment, and is limited to students who have completed three years of language study at UF, or the equivalent. There is a one or two semester study abroad program at Nagoya University in Nagoya. This program is open to students with no previous study of Japanese language and is ideal for students from a variety of majors including the STEM majors as it offers a broad-based English-language curriculum in international studies, biological and physical sciences, and engineering, in addition to courses in Japan studies. There is a one or two semester study abroad program at Kyoto University. This program is open to all majors.

A maximum of 15 credits non-UF overseas study credit may apply to the major. Students must have all overseas study credit that will transfer to the major approved by their major advisor. JPT 3500 must be taken at UF. No substitution is allowed for JPT 3500.

Placement

Students with previous training in Japanese, as well as those with heritage background in these languages, should consult the undergraduate coordinator or the language coordinator of the Japanese specialization before enrolling in any JPN or JPW course. Placement tests are given at the start of each semester; refer to the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures for location and times.


Critical Tracking records each student’s progress in courses that are required for progress toward each major. Please note the critical-tracking requirements below on a per-semester basis.

For degree requirements outside of the major, refer to CLAS Degree Requirements: Structure of a CLAS Degree.

Equivalent critical-tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students.

Semester 1

  • 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 2

  • 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 3

  • Complete JPN 1130 or higher level language course with a minimum grade of C
  • 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 4

  • Complete JPN 1131 or higher level with a minimum grade of C and 2.5 critical-tracking GPA
  • 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 5

  • Complete JPN 2230 or higher level language course with a minimum grade of C and 2.5 critical-tracking GPA
  • 2.0 UF GPA required

SEMESTER 6

  • Complete JPN 2231 or higher level language course with a minimum grade of C
  • 2.0 UF GPA required

SEMESTER 7

  • Complete JPN 3410 or higher course with a minimum grade of C
  • Complete JPT 3500 with a minimum grade of C
  • 2.0 UF GPA required

SEMESTER 8

  • Complete JPN 3411 or higher course with a minimum grade of C
  • 2.0 UF GPA required

Actual courses may be different depending on language preparation and availability of courses. In particular, beginning language is best started semester 1 and no later than semester 3, but study abroad or accredited intensive summer courses can be used to catch up.

Students are expected to complete the Writing Requirement while in the process of taking the courses below. Students are also expected to complete the General Education International (GE-N) and Diversity (GE-D) requirements concurrently with another General Education requirement (typically, GE-C, H, or S).

Several courses in this major count for GE-H and N or GE-S and N requirements. 3000 level or above critical concentration courses outside of Japanese may count toward the 3000 level or above electives outside of the major.

To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold. These courses must be completed by the terms as listed above in the Critical Tracking criteria.

This semester plan represents an example progression through the major. Actual courses and course order may be different depending on the student's academic record and scheduling availability of courses. Prerequisites still apply.

Plan of Study Grid
Semester OneCredits
JPN 1130 Beginning Japanese 1 (Critical Tracking) 5
State Core Gen Ed Biological or Physical Sciences 3
State Core Gen Ed Composition; Writing Requirement 3
State Core Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences 3
 Credits14
Semester Two
JPN 1131 Beginning Japanese 2 (Critical Tracking) 5
Quest 1 (Gen Ed Humanities) 3
Science laboratory (Gen Ed Physical or Biological Sciences) 1
State Core Gen Ed Mathematics 3
Gen Ed Physical Sciences 3
 Credits15
Semester Three
JPN 2230 Intermediate Japanese 1 (Critical Tracking) 5
State Core Gen Ed Humanities 3
Gen Ed Mathematics 3
Gen Ed Biological or Physical Sciences (area not taken in semester ) 1 3
Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences 1 3
 Credits17
Semester Four
JPN 2231 Intermediate Japanese 2 (Critical Tracking) 5
JPT 3500 Japanese Culture (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Humanities and International) 3
Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences and Diversity 3
Advanced elective (3000 level or above; in the major) 3
Elective (3000 level or above; not in major) 3
 Credits17
Semester Five
JPN 3410 Advanced Japanese 1 (Critical Tracking) 3
LIN 3010 Introduction to Linguistics 3
Gen Ed Biological Sciences 3
Gen Ed Composition; Writing Requirement 3
Advanced elective (3000 level or above; in the major) 3
 Credits15
Semester Six
JPN 3411 Advanced Japanese 2 (Critical Tracking) 3
Critical concentration course 3
Advanced elective (3000 level or above; in the major) 3
Elective (3000 level or above; not in major) 3
Elective 3
 Credits15
Semester Seven
Critical concentration course 3
Advanced elective (4000 level or above; in the major) 3
Electives (3000 level or above; not in major) 6
Elective or senior thesis option 3
 Credits15
Semester Eight
Critical concentration course 3
Advanced elective (4000 level or above; in the major) 3
Electives (3000 level or above; not in major) 6
 Credits12
 Total Credits120
1

One of these courses must be a UF Quest 2 course          


9 Credits from One Concentration

Although courses may appear in more than one group, they may be counted toward only one group.

Intensive Area Studies, Option 1: Japanese
Recommended for those planning to pursue careers requiring advanced level skills in Japanese or graduate work in Japanese Studies
JPN 3440Business Japanese3
JPN 3730Language in Japanese Society3
JPN 4415Japanese Translation: Theory and Practice3
JPN 4850Structure of Japanese3
JPN 4905Individual Study1-3
JPN 4911Undergraduate Research in Language or Linguistics0-3
JPN 4930Special Topics in Japanese Studies3
JPN 4935Senior Honors Thesis3
JPN 4940Internship3
JPT 3100Tales of Kyoto3
JPT 3120Modern Japanese Fiction in Translation3
JPT 3121Contemporary Japanese Literature: Postwar to Postmodern3
JPT 3150Classical Japanese Poetry3
JPT 3300Samurai War Tales3
JPT 3330Early Modern Japanese Literature3
JPT 3391Introduction to Japanese Film4
JPT 3521Monsters and Horror in Japan3
JPT 3702Japanese Visual Culture3
JPT 4130The Tale of Genji3
JPT 4502Japanese Folklore3
JPT 4510Representations of Japan's Modern Empire3
JPT 4911Undergraduate Research in English Translation0-3
JPW 3143Classical Japanese 13
JPW 3144Classical Japanese 23
JPW 4130Readings in Japanese Literature3
JPW 4131Japanese Texts and Contexts3
JPW 4911Undergraduate Research in Target Language0-3
Intensive Area Studies, Option 2: Comparative Studies East Asia
ASH 3442Modern Japan3
ASH 4930History Research Seminar: Asia (Pacific War)3
CHI 3403Chinese Calligraphy3
CHI 3440Business Chinese3
CHI 4930Special Topics in Chinese Studies3
CHI 4940Internship1-6
CHT 3110Chinese Literary Heritage3
CHT 3123Pre-Modern Chinese Fiction in Translation3
CHT 3124Modern Chinese Fiction in Translation3
CHT 3500Chinese Culture3
CHT 3513Taoism and Chinese Culture3
CHT 4111Dream of the Red Chamber3
CHT 4603Journey to the West3
REL 3318Chinese Religions3
REL 3336Religion in Modern India3
REL 3938Special Topics in Religion (Buddhist Meditation)3
VTT 3500Vietnamese Culture3
WST 3415Transnational Feminism3
Comparative Cultural Studies
ABT 3500Arabic Culture3
ABT 4131The Qur'an as Literature3
ARA 3510The Arab Woman3
CHI 3403Chinese Calligraphy3
CHT 3500Chinese Culture3
CHT 3510All the Tea in China3
CHT 3513Taoism and Chinese Culture3
CZT 3564Modern Czech Culture and Society3
FRT 3004Monuments and Masterpieces of France3
FRT 3561Women in French Literature and/or Cinema3-4
GET 3003German Culture and Civilization 13
GET 3004Modern German Culture and Civilization3
GET 3200Medieval Literary Culture3
GET 3201Early Modern Literary Culture3
GET 3501History, Literature and Arts of Berlin3
GET 3580Representations of War in Literature and Visual Media3
GET 3930Variable Topics in German Studies (German Fairy Tales)3
GEW 4401Cities as Cultural Centers3
HAI 3930Haitian Culture and Society3
HAT 3503Haitian Culture and Literature in Translation3
HAT 3564Haitian Culture and Society3
HAT 3700Introduction to Haitian Creole Linguistics3
ITT 3431Italy and Pilgrimages3
ITT 3443Dante's Inferno (English)3
ITT 3540Murder Italian Style: Crime Fiction and Film in Italy3
ITT 3541Gangsters and Godfathers: Italian Mafia Movies3
ITT 3700The Demolition of Man: Italian Perspectives on the Jewish Holocaust3
ITT 3930Special Topics in Italian Literature and Culture3
JMT 3500Jamaican Creole, Reggae, and Rastafari3
JPT 3500Japanese Culture3
JPT 3521Monsters and Horror in Japan3
JPT 3702Japanese Visual Culture3
JPT 4502Japanese Folklore3
JPT 4510Representations of Japan's Modern Empire3
RUT 3443War and Peace3
RUT 3500Russian Cultural Heritage3
RUT 3501Contemporary Russian Culture and Society3
RUT 3503Violence and Terror in the Russian Experience3
RUT 3504Russia Today3
RUT 3506Creative Lives: Writers, Artists, and Extraordinary People3
RUT 3514Russian Fairy Tales3
RUT 3530Russia's Struggle with Nature: Legacies of Destruction and Preservation3
RUT 3600The Twentieth Century through Slavic Eyes3
RUT 4450Russian Modernism3
VTT 3500Vietnamese Culture3
YOT 3500Yoruba Diaspora in the New World3
Film and Visual Culture
CHI 4930Special Topics in Chinese Studies3
CHT 3391Chinese Film and Media4
CHT 3523Hong Kong, Taiwan, and the New Global Cinema4
FRT 3520French Cinema4
FRT 3561Women in French Literature and/or Cinema3-4
FRT 4523European Identities, European Cinemas4
GET 3520Early German Cinema to 19454
GET 3580Representations of War in Literature and Visual Media3
GET 4521Women and German Cinema4
GET 4523New Cinema 1945 to the Present4
GET 4930Variable Topics in German Studies3
HBR 4930Special Topics3
ITT 3521Italian Cinema4
ITT 3540Murder Italian Style: Crime Fiction and Film in Italy3
ITT 3541Gangsters and Godfathers: Italian Mafia Movies3
ITT 3930Special Topics in Italian Literature and Culture3
JPN 4930Special Topics in Japanese Studies3
JPT 3391Introduction to Japanese Film4
JPT 3521Monsters and Horror in Japan3
JPT 3702Japanese Visual Culture3
RUT 3524Russia through Film3
SSA 4930Special Topics in African Studies (African Film)3
Literary Studies
ABT 3130Arabic Literary Heritage 13
ABT 4131The Qur'an as Literature3
CHI 4930Special Topics in Chinese Studies3
CHT 3110Chinese Literary Heritage3
CHT 3123Pre-Modern Chinese Fiction in Translation3
CHT 3124Modern Chinese Fiction in Translation3
CHT 3302Tales of the Strange in Medieval Chinese Literature3
CHT 4111Dream of the Red Chamber3
CHT 4603Journey to the West3
FRT 3004Monuments and Masterpieces of France3
FRT 3561Women in French Literature and/or Cinema3-4
GET 3200Medieval Literary Culture3
GET 3201Early Modern Literary Culture3
GET 3501History, Literature and Arts of Berlin3
GET 3580Representations of War in Literature and Visual Media3
GET 3930Variable Topics in German Studies3-9
GET 4930Variable Topics in German Studies3
HAT 3503Haitian Culture and Literature in Translation3
HBR 4930Special Topics3
HBT 3223Identity and Dissent in the Hebrew Short Story3
ITT 3431Italy and Pilgrimages3
ITT 3443Dante's Inferno (English)3
ITT 3540Murder Italian Style: Crime Fiction and Film in Italy3
ITT 3700The Demolition of Man: Italian Perspectives on the Jewish Holocaust3
ITT 3930Special Topics in Italian Literature and Culture3
JPT 3100Tales of Kyoto3
JPT 3120Modern Japanese Fiction in Translation3
JPT 3121Contemporary Japanese Literature: Postwar to Postmodern3
JPT 3140Modern Women Writers3
JPT 3150Classical Japanese Poetry3
JPT 3300Samurai War Tales3
JPT 3330Early Modern Japanese Literature3
JPT 3521Monsters and Horror in Japan3
JPT 4130The Tale of Genji3
JPT 4502Japanese Folklore3
JPT 4510Representations of Japan's Modern Empire3
PLT 3930Special Topics in Polish Studies3
RUT 3101Russian Masterpieces3
RUT 3441Tolstoy and Dostoevsky3
RUT 3442Themes from Russian Literature3
RUT 3443War and Peace3
RUT 3452Russian Literature of the Twentieth Century3
RUT 3503Violence and Terror in the Russian Experience3
RUT 3506Creative Lives: Writers, Artists, and Extraordinary People3
RUT 3514Russian Fairy Tales3
RUT 3530Russia's Struggle with Nature: Legacies of Destruction and Preservation3
RUT 3600The Twentieth Century through Slavic Eyes3
RUT 3930Variable Topics in Russian Studies3
RUT 4440Pushkin and Gogol3
RUT 4450Russian Modernism3
SST 4502African Oral Literature3
SSW 3303Swahili Oral Literature3
SSW 4713African Women Writers3
VTN 4930Special Topics in Vietnamese Studies3
Medieval and Early Modern Studies
ARA 3510The Arab Woman3
CHT 3110Chinese Literary Heritage3
CHT 3123Pre-Modern Chinese Fiction in Translation3
CHT 3302Tales of the Strange in Medieval Chinese Literature3
CHT 3513Taoism and Chinese Culture3
CHT 4111Dream of the Red Chamber3
CHT 4603Journey to the West3
GET 3200Medieval Literary Culture3
GET 3201Early Modern Literary Culture3
ITT 3431Italy and Pilgrimages3
ITT 3443Dante's Inferno (English)3
JPT 3300Samurai War Tales3
JPT 3330Early Modern Japanese Literature3
JPT 3521Monsters and Horror in Japan3
MEM 3003Introduction to the Medieval World3
MEM 3300Castles and Cloisters: An Introduction to Medieval Communities3
MEM 3301Palaces and Cities: An Introduction to Early Modern Communities3
MEM 3730Studies in the Holy Roman Empire3
MEM 3931Variable Topics in Medieval and Early Modern Studies3

The Foreign Languages and Literatures (FLL) major enables students to achieve communicative competence in their language(s) of specialization. Students will become knowledgeable in the culture and literature and/or linguistics associated with their language area(s) such that they will be able to critically analyze and evaluate authentic sources in the target language(s) and formulate independent, critical perspectives in the target language(s). Further, students will learn the intercultural skills and practical know-how necessary to negotiate traveling, studying, and living in the target culture(s).

Before Graduating Students Must

  • Satisfy the Florida statutes for the College-Level Academic Skills Requirement.
  • Complete requirements for the baccalaureate degree, as determined by faculty.
  • Achieve one or more of the following, as determined by their specialization within the FLL program: an acceptable score on a language proficiency test and/or a satisfactory faculty evaluation of a term paper, final project, or oral presentation completed for a selected advanced course.

Students in the Major Will Learn to

Student Learning Outcomes | SLOs

Content

  1. Describe and define cultural concepts, literary production, and/or linguistic structure in language(s) of specialization.

Critical Thinking

  1. Analyze, interpret, and evaluate texts according to their cultural, literary and/or linguistic content.

Communication

  1. Express critical competence in relation to the culture(s) of specialization through performance of comprehensive analysis in written and oral form.
  2. Display oral and written proficiency in language(s) of specialization.

Curriculum Map

I = Introduced; R = Reinforced; A = Assessed

Courses SLO 1 SLO 2 SLO 3 SLO 4
Category A1 I, R I I I, R, A
Category B2 I, R, A I, R, A I, R, A
1

Courses focus on the acquisition of the language(s) of specialization at the advanced level.

2

Courses address literary, cultural, cinematic, historical, and/or social questions.

Assessment Types

  • Proficiency exams
  • Term papers or final projects
  • Oral presentations