MIT Global Languages

Japanese Studies

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Overview

Use of Technology for Language Learning

Japanese Studies at MIT has three levels (elementary, intermediate, and advance) and the curriculum of each level aims to develop four language skills (i.e., speaking, listening, reading, and writing). We specifically focus on the development of so-called “communicative skills” of Japanese. We have online interactive exercises that can enhance communicative skills, and we use technology proactively to help students.

Learning Language and Culture Side-by-Side

Language is a tool to interact and communicate with people, and language learning needs to take place together with the culture of the target language. The Japanese program at MIT offers a wide variety of cultural courses (e.g., Anime, Popular Culture, Politics, History, etc.), and students can enjoy learning various aspects of the Japanese culture while learning the language.

Student-centered Language Curriculum

Our teaching staff continuously adapts innovative pedagogical methods and encourages students to become active language learners. We are flexible in curriculum design to meet students’ individual needs and accomplish student-centered learning.

Information about MISTI-Japan may be found here.

Placement Test

A placement test is required for students who have not taken a prerequisite course at MIT. In order to arrange a placement test, see instructions at this page. We will contact you with a level suggestion once we receive your information. If you have questions, contact the Japanese Placement Team.

Fall 2020
All 21G subjects in Fall 2020 will be offered remotely, with synchronous class meetings in Zoom.
Tier I
21G.501   Japanese I
21G.503   Japanese III
Tier II
21G.505   Japanese V
Tier III
21G.064/592* Introduction to Japanese Culture
21G.065/593*    Japanese LIterature and Cinema

*Taught in English with a project that requires research in Japanese under 21G.592 and 21G.593. Only students minoring in Japanese should register under these numbers.

Looking ahead:

Spring 2021
Tier I
21G.502   Japanese II
21G.504   Japanese IV
Tier II
21G.506   Japanese VI
Tier III
21G.094/594    Cinema in Japan and Korea
21H.154    Inventing the Samurai
21H.354    World War II in Asia

The indication of prerequisites for specific Japanese offerings does not apply to students who have already completed equivalent work. For further placement advice, consult one of the field advisors in Japanese.

A note regarding the enrollment policy of the Global Languages section: Enrollment limited to 16 for pedagogical reasons for Tier I and II subjects (Japanese I through Japanese VI). Preference will be given to pre-registered students, including pre-registered undergraduates who were cut from the same class the previous semester due to the enrollment cap. Please note that you have to attend the first day of class to maintain your preference level. In case of over-enrollment, preference will be given in the following order: declared minors, declared concentrators, first-years, sophomores, juniors, seniors and graduate students.

Requirements

Minor
The program consists of 6 subjects arranged in 3 tiers starting at Japanese III. Five of these six subjects overlap with the 8-subject HASS GIR. A student can concentrate and minor in the same field.

Students choose from the following list of subjects:

Tier I
21G.503 Japanese III
21G.504 Japanese IV

Tier II
21G.505 Japanese V
21G.506 Japanese VI

Tier III
Taught in English
17.433 International Relations of East Asia
17.537 Politics and Policy in Contemporary Japan
21H.154 Inventing the Samurai
21H.155 Modern Japan: 1600 to Present
21H.354 World War II in Asia

Taught in English with 13-unit Japanese Language Option
21G.591 Gender and Japanese Popular Culture
21G.592 Introduction to Japanese Culture
21G.593 Japanese Literature and Cinema
21G.594 Cinema in Japan and Korea
21G.595 Cultures of Music in East Asia: Japan, Korea, China
21G.596 Anime: Transnational Media and Culture
21G.597 Digital Media in Japan and Korea

A typical course program for a minor in Japanese includes four language subjects (Japanese III through Japanese VI), plus two of the Tier III subjects taught in English that pertain to Japanese cultural studies. At least one of the two Tier III subjects should be taken under the 13-unit Japanese Language Option subject number. These subject numbers are reserved for minors in Japanese, and students will complete an additional assignment in the target language to earn the extra unit of credit.

Advisor: Hiromu Nagahara

Minor in Japanese: MIT Bulletin
Sample Roadmap Japanese Minor and Nuclear Science and Engineering (Course 22)
SHASS Minor Guidelines and Procedures

Concentration
There are several concentration options, depending on whether your focus is language or literature and culture. A language concentration consists of 3 or 4 language classes, depending on your incoming language competence.

If a student’s incoming level is Japanese I:
• 4 subjects, Japanese I through Japanese IV, are required to complete the concentration

If a student’s incoming level is Japanese II or above:
• 3 subjects are required to complete the concentration, i.e., Japanese II, III, IV; Japanese III, IV, V; or Japanese IV, V, VI

If a student’s incoming level is Japanese IV or above:
• 3 subjects are required to complete the concentration, as noted above. However, one subject taught in English that pertains to Japanese cultural studies is allowed from the following list:

17.433 International Relations of East Asia
17.537 Politics and Policy in Contemporary Japan
21H.154 Inventing the Samurai
21H.155 Modern Japan: 1600 to Present
21H.354 World War II in Asia
21G.039 Gender and Japanese Popular Culture
21G.063 Anime: Transnational Media and Culture
21G.064 Introduction to Japanese Culture
21G.065 Japanese Literature and Cinema
21G.067 Digital Media in Japan and Korea
21G.094 Cinema in Japan and Korea
21G.095 Cultures of Music in East Asia: Japan, Korea, and China

Advisor: Takako Aikawa

For the online HASS Concentration Form, click through to studentformsandpetitions.mit.edu!

Current Brochure

Transfer Credit
Transfer credit examiner: Takako Aikawa

OTHER OPTIONS

Asian and Asian Diaspora Studies

Concentration
Minor
Major Departure

Study Abroad

You may also consider spending a summer, a semester, or a year abroad. Credits received from most accredited programs will count towards your concentration if you consult with the Transfer Credit Advisor in Japanese prior to your departure.

MIT Study Abroad Programs: General information about study abroad. All forms related to study abroad and scholarship information available.

Activities

Japan@MIT Event

The Japanese program and MIT-Japan program together host an event called “Japan@MIT” every semester. At the event, we introduce various types of Japan-related programs and activities while munching Sushi!

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Japanese Studies

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