Japanese

About 200 students study in the Japanese language program in a term. For the size of language faculty (five full-time and several teaching assistants), we have a large number of students and majors (58). Despite a trend in the opposite direction at some schools, our enrollment has been growing. Along with this, we are attracting more high-caliber students.

How our program is run

The Japanese language program is offered in five proficiency levels and it offers appropriate courses for students to progress from beginning to advanced level. Fifth year Japanese is offered for those who have special needs in reading or speaking, such as graduate students with specific research requirements. Many of our students are double majors.

For the first three years of Japanese, we use Japanese: The Spoken Language and Japanese: The Written Language, by Jorden and Noda. In fourth year Japanese, we use the in-house publication Programmed Course in Reading in Modern Japanese.

At the beginning of our curriculum, we have more emphasis on speaking. As you make progress in our program, you will be spending increasingly more time on how to read and write and how to integrate all language skills.

Class is divided into two components—lecture (fact class) and recitation (act class). In lecture class, you will learn about grammar, word usage, and culture. Recitation (act) classes are kept small (about a dozen or fewer students) so that you can practice using language in real and simulated situations with native speaker instructors.

In the first two years, class meets seven times a week, two for lecture and five for recitation. In third year Japanese, class meets five times a week, 1 1/2 for lecture and 3 1/2 for recitation. Fourth year Japanese meets four times a week.

If you have a question about our language program, contact Professor David Mills.

Evening courses on language and culture

In order to meet your needs to learn the language and obtain a fundamental understanding of Japanese culture, we offer courses in these areas regularly.

The Japanese Language Program offers language courses in the evening that meet twice a week for a total of four hours. This is a great opportunity to learn the language if you are a non-traditional student who has obligations during the day. Traditional students who cannot take the day class for some reason may also find this program attractive. Since it meets less frequently than the daytime language program, the curriculum is set for a slower pace of progress. This option is less time intensive, but the same level of performance is expected.

In addition, the department regularly offers a course on Japanese culture in the evening to complement the language program. In the fall of 2006, for instance, we offered Japanese Culture (JPNSE 1783), which meets once a week for one hour on Wednesday evening. In this course you will gain a valuable introduction to Japanese culture and language even if you may not be able to take classes during the day.

Study abroad and internships

Currently we maintain direct exchange programs with Ritsumeikan, Kansai Gaidai, and Kitakyushu Universities. We are also a charter member of the Konan-Illinois Year-in-Japan Program to which qualified Pitt students are guaranteed admittance. Of course you can go to any good program in Japan and the credits you earned there usually transfer back without any trouble. For program details, contact Leslie Smedley at the Study Abroad Office.

Internships will give you a chance to apply your language skills and obtain job experience at the same time. Internships in the United States and in Japan, both paid and unpaid, are available. For more information about internships, contact Brenda Jordan at the Asian Studies Center.

Major and minor requirement

To obtain a major in Japanese, you must complete six semesters of Japanese language (or equivalent), an additional course beyond the third year level, three courses from departmental courses in literature, drama, film, and linguistics, and three Japan-related courses in other departments.

To obtain a minor in Japanese, you need (1) one year of Japanese language study and three from departmental courses in literature, drama, film, and linguistics, or (2) five departmental courses in literature, drama, film, and linguistics.

To obtain a certificate in Asian Studies, you need two years of an East Asian language, and four courses (12 cr.) on Asia in at least two departments outside the major and one course (3 cr.) on Asia in the major department. If the major department does not have options for an Asian focus (e.g., chemistry, English), the student must take an additional Asia-related course in a third department. For more information, contact Dianne Dakis or read details about certificate programs.

Students interested in a major or minor in our department should consult with Professor Keiko McDonald.

Summer school

We offer beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels of 10-week or 8-week (for advanced) intensive Japanese courses. Each level is equivalent to one academic year of Japanese at Pitt. There are a number of tuition remission scholarships earmarked for summer language study.

Scholarships and financial aid

Last year we gave seven tuition remission scholarships for summer language students. We are also very happy to tell you that many of our study abroad students are funded through a grant administered by the Asian Studies Center. A good number of out students have won the Nationality Room Scholarships, ATJ’s Bridging Scholarships, JASSO scholarships, and a number of others. For information on scholarships and financial aid, visit the Asian Studies Center or contact Paula Locante.

Student placement

Advanced skill in Japanese has long created a very favorable edge when looking for work. We have placed many students in various federal agencies and departments and private corporations. A sizeable number of students gets into the JET Program to further their language skills and to gain work experience in Japan. Some students also go on to pursue graduate degrees at Pitt and other institutions in such areas as computer science, medicine, law, government, social sciences, and humanities. The excellence of EALL’s undergraduate programs shows up in the success of its students.

That’s not all

About 12,000 undergraduate and more than 10,000 graduate students study at the Oakland campus of the University of Pittsburgh. For this reason, Pitt can offer a rich environment, formal, informal, or in between, for practicing and making use of your language skills. Japanese Speaking Society is a group of students who want to have chances to meet Japanese students on campus and practice speaking Japanese. Pittsburgh Anime Club holds weekly meetings for screening their latest acquisitions. Some students volunteer to teach classes about Japan at local schools. These are just some of the many offerings that can enrich your language learning experience at Pitt.