The B.A. 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 hours 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
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| JPN 1130 | Beginning Japanese 1 | 5 |
| JPN 1131 | Beginning Japanese 2 | 5 |
| JPN 2230 | Intermediate Japanese 1 | 5 |
| JPN 2231 | Intermediate Japanese 2 | 5 |
| LIN 3010 | Introduction to Linguistics | 3 |
| Total Credits | 23 |
Required Core Coursework | 33 Credits
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Language and Culture | ||
| JPN 3410 | Advanced Japanese 1 | 3 |
| JPN 3411 | Advanced Japanese 2 | 3 |
| JPT 3500 | Japanese Culture | 3 |
| 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 | |
JPN 3440 | Business Japanese | |
JPN 3730 | Language in Japanese Society | |
JPN 4415 | Japanese Translation: Theory and Practice | |
JPN 4850 | Structure of Japanese | |
JPN 4905 | Individual Study | |
JPN 4911 | Undergraduate Research in Language or Linguistics | |
JPN 4930 | Special Topics in Japanese Studies | |
JPN 4935 | Senior Honors Thesis | |
JPT 3100 | Tales of Kyoto | |
JPT 3120 | Modern Japanese Fiction in Translation | |
JPT 3121 | Contemporary Japanese Literature: Postwar to Postmodern | |
JPT 3150 | Classical Japanese Poetry | |
JPT 3300 | Samurai War Tales | |
JPT 3330 | Early Modern Japanese Literature | |
JPT 3391 | Introduction to Japanese Film | |
JPT 3521 | Monsters and Horror in Japan | |
JPT 3702 | Japanese Visual Culture | |
JPT 4130 | The Tale of Genji | |
JPT 4502 | Japanese Folklore | |
JPT 4911 | Undergraduate Research in English Translation | |
JPW 3143 | Classical Japanese 1 | |
JPW 3144 | Classical Japanese 2 | |
JPW 4130 | Readings in Japanese Literature | |
JPW 4131 | Japanese Texts and Contexts | |
JPW 4911 | 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 Credits | 33 |
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.
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.