As one of the world’s top economies and exporters of cultural capital, Japan is an
integral piece of our increasingly globalized world. Japan is widely recognized as
one of the world’s chief producers of automobiles, robotics, medical innovation, and
a host of other products; it is also known for its unique cultural contributions,
including animation, music, philosophy, literature, martial arts, and sport. Learning
the Japanese language is the key to accessing Japan’s rich cultural legacy. MTSU's
energetic faculty is dedicated to helping students learn Japanese, which in turn will
allow them to fully participate in that legacy as well as to become engaged and responsible
global citizens.
Japanese business connections strong in state, nation
MTSU is one of only two universities in Tennessee that offers a degree in Japanese
language, which is the gateway to engaging with one of the world’s premier economies
and dedicated trade partner of the United States. In Tennessee, Japanese companies
such as Nissan and Bridgestone account for 62% of direct foreign investment, while
globally Japan is the world’s third largest economy, with strong trade connections
to the United States. In fact, 62 of the Fortune Global 500 companies are based in
Japan, many of which invest directly in American business. Students graduating with
a degree in Japanese will find many opportunities for employment in Tennessee and
beyond. For more information on Japan-Tennessee business relations, please click the
following link http://www.nashville.us.emb-japan.go.jp to be redirected to the website for the Japanese Consulate in Nashville.
MTSU students excel in Japan through exchange program
Andrew Witt and Mitchell Plumer joined MTSU’s Japanese program at the same time, unaware
that they would become fast friends on the same academic track. “Within a year, we
were knee-deep in the program. Competing in the Tennessee area speech contest, meeting
exchange students at the language table, and preparing for study abroad became our
passions,” Plumer says. In their junior year, Witt and Plumer participated in MTSU’s
exchange program with sister schools in Fukuoka and Osaka. “It was life-changing to
say the least. We were actually put in upper-intermediate Japanese courses when we
got there, thanks to our classes back at MTSU,” Witt says. Both students graduated
with honors in December 2014. The two became interested in the Japanese Exchange and
Teaching program after a career session at the language table, and Plumer earned his
first job abroad through JET.
Related Media
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MTSU True Blue Preview: Foreign Language
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A wide array of employment options await students with a major or minor in Japanese.
Employers of MTSU students include Nissan, the Japanese and Exchange Teaching (JET)
program, the Japanese consulate, and public schools, to name a few. Career opportunities
for Japanese language majors are available in various sectors such as
- Engineering (automotive, electric)
- Government (State Department, FBI/CIA, United Nations)
- Higher education (higher education, JET program)
- Information technology (computer information systems, video games)
- International business
- Journalism
- Translation
Employers of MTSU alumni
This information is still being compiled since this is a new program.
MTSU now offers the option of either the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science
(B.S.) in Foreign Language with a major in Foreign Languages and a concentration in
Japanese.
For complete curriculum details, click on the REQUIREMENTS button to the right.
The major in Foreign Languages also has concentrations in French, German, and Spanish. Minors are offered in French, German, Spanish, and Japanese. Courses in Arabic,
Chinese, Hebrew, Italian, Kurdish, Latin, Portuguese, and Russian are available.
Interdisciplinary minors coordinated through the Department of World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures include Classical Studies, Early Modern European Studies, Latin American Studies,
Linguistic Studies, and Portuguese Studies.
The Department of World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures also offers a Master
of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) for graduate students in French, German, and Spanish.
Japanese B.A.
Foreign Languages, Japanese Concentration, B.A.
World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures
615-898-5357
Priya Ananth, program coordinator
Priya.Ananth@mtsu.edu
A major in Foreign Languages with a Japanese concentration consists of 36 semester hours (excluding 1010) and must include at least 20 hours of upper-division work. Before beginning the junior year, the student should file a degree plan with his or her advisor.
Academic Map
Following are printable, suggested four-year schedules of courses:
Foreign Languages, Japanese, B.A., Academic Map
Foreign Languages, Japanese (Study Abroad), B.A., Academic Map
Degree Requirements
General Education (41 hours)
General Education requirements include Communication, History, Humanities and/or Fine Arts, Mathematics, Natural Sciences, and Social/Behavioral Sciences categories.
The following course is recommended for the program and can satisfy the respective General Education requirement:
Major Requirements (36 hours)
JAPN 1020 - Elementary Japanese II
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: JAPN 1010 or equivalent. A continuation of materials introduced in JAPN 1010.
JAPN 1040 - Intensive Elementary Japanese
6 credit hours
(only 3 hours)(only 3 credit hours counted toward degree)
dotslash:(only 3 credit hours counted toward degree)
title:(only 3 hours)
(only 3 credit hours counted toward degree)
JAPN 1040 - Intensive Elementary Japanese
6 credit hours
A foundation course in reading, writing, speaking, and aural comprehension. JAPN 1040 counts as combined credit for JAPN 1010 and JAPN 1020.
JAPN 2010 - Intermediate Japanese I
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: JAPN 1020 or equivalent.
JAPN 2020 - Intermediate Japanese II
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: JAPN 2010 or equivalent.
JAPN 3010 - Advanced Japanese
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: JAPN 2020 or equivalent. A continuation of modern Japanese. Emphasis on linguistic and communicative skills in speaking, reading, writing, and listening. Includes further study of Japanese culture for enhanced understanding of the language.
JAPN 3020 - Advanced Japanese
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: JAPN 3010 or equivalent. A continuation of modern Japanese. Emphasis on linguistic and communicative skills in speaking, reading, writing, and listening. Includes further study of Japanese culture for enhanced understanding of the language.
JAPN 3030 - Advanced Japanese III
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: JAPN 3020 or permission of instructor. A continuation of JAPN 3020. Emphasis on linguistic and communicative skills in speaking, reading, writing, and listening. Includes further study of Japanese culture for enhanced learning of the language.
- JAPN 3000-level 6 credit hours
- JAPN 4000-level 12 credit hours
Minor (15-18 hours)
Electives
Total hours in program: 120
Curriculum: Foreign Languages, Japanese
Curricular listings include General Education requirements in Communication, History, Humanities and/or Fine Arts, Mathematics, Natural Sciences, and Social/Behavioral Sciences categories.
Freshman
ENGL 1010 - Expository Writing
3 credit hours
The first General Education English course. Emphasis on learning to adapt composing processes to a variety of expository and analytic writing assignments. Minimum grade of C- required for credit.
ENGL 1020 - Research and Argumentative Writing
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: ENGL 1010. The second General Education English course. Emphasis on analytic and argumentative writing and on locating, organizing, and using library resource materials in the writing. Minimum grade of C- required for credit.
COMM 2200 - Fundamentals of Communication
3 credit hours
Principles and processes of effective public oral communication including researching, critical thinking, organizing, presenting, listening, and using appropriate language. Counts as part of the General Education Communication requirement. TBR Common Course: COMM 2025
- Mathematics 3 credit hours
- Humanities and/or Fine Arts 3 credit hours
- Natural Sciences 4 credit hours
JAPN 1010 - Elementary Japanese I
3 credit hours
A foundation in reading, writing, speaking, and aural comprehension.
JAPN 1020 - Elementary Japanese II
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: JAPN 1010 or equivalent. A continuation of materials introduced in JAPN 1010.
JAPN 1040 - Intensive Elementary Japanese
6 credit hours
Only 3 hours(only 3 hours may be counted for the degree)
dotslash:(only 3 hours may be counted for the degree)
title:Only 3 hours
(only 3 hours may be counted for the degree)
JAPN 1040 - Intensive Elementary Japanese
6 credit hours
A foundation course in reading, writing, speaking, and aural comprehension. JAPN 1040 counts as combined credit for JAPN 1010 and JAPN 1020.
Choose 6 hours from:
HIST 2010 - Survey of United States History I
3 credit hours
Survey of the political, economic, social, cultural, and diplomatic phases of American life in its regional, national, and international aspects. HIST 2010 discusses the era from the beginning to 1877. HIST 2020 discusses the era from 1877 to the present. These courses are prerequisite for all advanced courses in American history and satisfy the General Education History requirement. HIST 2010 is NOT a prerequisite for HIST 2020. TBR Common Course: HIST 2010
HIST 2020 - Survey of United States History II
3 credit hours
Survey of the political, economic, social, cultural, and diplomatic phases of American life in its regional, national, and international aspects. HIST 2010 discusses the era from the beginning to 1877. HIST 2020 discusses the era from 1877 to the present. These courses are prerequisite for all advanced courses in American history and satisfy the General Education History requirement. HIST 2010 is NOT a prerequisite for HIST 2020. TBR Common Course: HIST 2020
HIST 2030 - Tennessee History
3 credit hours
The role of the state in the development of the nation. May be used to satisfy one part of the General Education History requirement. TBR Common Course: HIST 2030
Subtotal: 31 hours
Sophomore
ENGL 2020 - Themes in Literature and Culture
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: ENGL 1010 and ENGL 1020. Traces a specific theme or idea through a number of literary texts that reflect different historical and cultural contexts. Subject will vary.
ENGL 2030 - The Experience of Literature
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: ENGL 1010 and ENGL 1020. The reading of a variety of literary types which illuminate themes and experiences common to human existence.
HUM 2610 - Foreign Literature in Translation
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: ENGL 1010 and ENGL 1020. Representative works of French, German, and Hispanic authors in English translation. No foreign-language proficiency required. Carries General Education credit.
JAPN 2010 - Intermediate Japanese I
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: JAPN 1020 or equivalent.
JAPN 2020 - Intermediate Japanese II
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: JAPN 2010 or equivalent.
- Humanities and/or Fine Arts 3 credit hours
- Natural Sciences 4 credit hours
- Social/Behavioral Sciences (2 rubrics) 6 credit hours
- Minor courses 6 credit hours
- Elective 3 credit hours
Subtotal: 31 hours
Junior
JAPN 3010 - Advanced Japanese
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: JAPN 2020 or equivalent. A continuation of modern Japanese. Emphasis on linguistic and communicative skills in speaking, reading, writing, and listening. Includes further study of Japanese culture for enhanced understanding of the language.
JAPN 3020 - Advanced Japanese
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: JAPN 3010 or equivalent. A continuation of modern Japanese. Emphasis on linguistic and communicative skills in speaking, reading, writing, and listening. Includes further study of Japanese culture for enhanced understanding of the language.
- JAPN 3000-4000 level electives 6 credit hours
- Minor courses 6 credit hours
- Electives 12 credit hours
Subtotal: 30 hours
Senior
JAPN 3030 - Advanced Japanese III
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: JAPN 3020 or permission of instructor. A continuation of JAPN 3020. Emphasis on linguistic and communicative skills in speaking, reading, writing, and listening. Includes further study of Japanese culture for enhanced learning of the language.
- JAPN 4000-level elective 3 credit hours
- JAPN 3000-4000 level electives 9 credit hours
- Electives 7 credit hours
- Minor courses 6 credit hours
Subtotal: 28 hours
Japanese B.S.
Foreign Languages, Japanese Concentration, B.S.
World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures
615-898-5357
Priya Ananth, program coordinator
Priya.Ananth@mtsu.edu
A major in Foreign Languages with a Japanese concentration consists of 36 semester hours (excluding 1010) and must include at least 20 hours of upper-division work. Before beginning the junior year, the student should file a degree plan with his or her advisor.
Academic Map
Following is a printable, suggested four-year schedule of courses:
Foreign Languages, Japanese, B.S., Academic Map
Foreign Languages, Japanese (Study Abroad), B.S., Academic Map
Degree Requirements
General Education
General Education requirements include Communication, History, Humanities and/or Fine Arts, Mathematics, Natural Sciences, and Social/Behavioral Sciences categories.
The following course is recommended for the program and can satisfy the respective General Education requirement:
Major Requirements (36 hours)
JAPN 1020 - Elementary Japanese II
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: JAPN 1010 or equivalent. A continuation of materials introduced in JAPN 1010.
JAPN 1040 - Intensive Elementary Japanese
6 credit hours
(only 3 hours)(only 3 credit hours counted toward degree)
dotslash:(only 3 credit hours counted toward degree)
title:(only 3 hours)
(only 3 credit hours counted toward degree)
JAPN 1040 - Intensive Elementary Japanese
6 credit hours
A foundation course in reading, writing, speaking, and aural comprehension. JAPN 1040 counts as combined credit for JAPN 1010 and JAPN 1020.
JAPN 2010 - Intermediate Japanese I
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: JAPN 1020 or equivalent.
JAPN 2020 - Intermediate Japanese II
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: JAPN 2010 or equivalent.
JAPN 3010 - Advanced Japanese
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: JAPN 2020 or equivalent. A continuation of modern Japanese. Emphasis on linguistic and communicative skills in speaking, reading, writing, and listening. Includes further study of Japanese culture for enhanced understanding of the language.
JAPN 3020 - Advanced Japanese
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: JAPN 3010 or equivalent. A continuation of modern Japanese. Emphasis on linguistic and communicative skills in speaking, reading, writing, and listening. Includes further study of Japanese culture for enhanced understanding of the language.
JAPN 3030 - Advanced Japanese III
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: JAPN 3020 or permission of instructor. A continuation of JAPN 3020. Emphasis on linguistic and communicative skills in speaking, reading, writing, and listening. Includes further study of Japanese culture for enhanced learning of the language.
- JAPN 3000-level 6 credit hours
- JAPN 4000-level 12 credit hours
Minor 1 (15-18 hours)
Minor 2 (15-18 hours)
Electives
Total hours in program: 120
Curriculum: Foreign Languages, Japanese
Curricular listings include General Education requirements in Communication, History, Humanities and/or Fine Arts, Mathematics, Natural Sciences, and Social/Behavioral Sciences categories.
Freshman
ENGL 1010 - Expository Writing
3 credit hours
The first General Education English course. Emphasis on learning to adapt composing processes to a variety of expository and analytic writing assignments. Minimum grade of C- required for credit.
ENGL 1020 - Research and Argumentative Writing
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: ENGL 1010. The second General Education English course. Emphasis on analytic and argumentative writing and on locating, organizing, and using library resource materials in the writing. Minimum grade of C- required for credit.
- Mathematics 3 credit hours
- Humanities and/or Fine Arts 3 credit hours
- Natural Sciences 4 credit hours
COMM 2200 - Fundamentals of Communication
3 credit hours
Principles and processes of effective public oral communication including researching, critical thinking, organizing, presenting, listening, and using appropriate language. Counts as part of the General Education Communication requirement. TBR Common Course: COMM 2025
JAPN 1010 - Elementary Japanese I
3 credit hours
A foundation in reading, writing, speaking, and aural comprehension.
JAPN 1020 - Elementary Japanese II
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: JAPN 1010 or equivalent. A continuation of materials introduced in JAPN 1010.
JAPN 1040 - Intensive Elementary Japanese
6 credit hours
NOTE:(only 3 hours may be counted toward the degree)
dotslash:(only 3 hours may be counted toward the degree)
title:NOTE:
(only 3 hours may be counted toward the degree)
JAPN 1040 - Intensive Elementary Japanese
6 credit hours
A foundation course in reading, writing, speaking, and aural comprehension. JAPN 1040 counts as combined credit for JAPN 1010 and JAPN 1020.
HIST 2010 - Survey of United States History I
3 credit hours
Survey of the political, economic, social, cultural, and diplomatic phases of American life in its regional, national, and international aspects. HIST 2010 discusses the era from the beginning to 1877. HIST 2020 discusses the era from 1877 to the present. These courses are prerequisite for all advanced courses in American history and satisfy the General Education History requirement. HIST 2010 is NOT a prerequisite for HIST 2020. TBR Common Course: HIST 2010
HIST 2020 - Survey of United States History II
3 credit hours
Survey of the political, economic, social, cultural, and diplomatic phases of American life in its regional, national, and international aspects. HIST 2010 discusses the era from the beginning to 1877. HIST 2020 discusses the era from 1877 to the present. These courses are prerequisite for all advanced courses in American history and satisfy the General Education History requirement. HIST 2010 is NOT a prerequisite for HIST 2020. TBR Common Course: HIST 2020
HIST 2030 - Tennessee History
3 credit hours
The role of the state in the development of the nation. May be used to satisfy one part of the General Education History requirement. TBR Common Course: HIST 2030
Subtotal: 31 hours
Sophomore
ENGL 2020 - Themes in Literature and Culture
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: ENGL 1010 and ENGL 1020. Traces a specific theme or idea through a number of literary texts that reflect different historical and cultural contexts. Subject will vary.
ENGL 2030 - The Experience of Literature
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: ENGL 1010 and ENGL 1020. The reading of a variety of literary types which illuminate themes and experiences common to human existence.
HUM 2610 - Foreign Literature in Translation
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: ENGL 1010 and ENGL 1020. Representative works of French, German, and Hispanic authors in English translation. No foreign-language proficiency required. Carries General Education credit.
JAPN 2010 - Intermediate Japanese I
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: JAPN 1020 or equivalent.
JAPN 2020 - Intermediate Japanese II
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: JAPN 2010 or equivalent.
- Humanities and/or Fine Arts 3 credit hours
- Natural Sciences 4 credit hours
- Social/Behavioral Sciences (2 rubrics) 6 credit hours
- Minor courses 9 credit hours
Subtotal: 31 hours
Junior
JAPN 3010 - Advanced Japanese
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: JAPN 2020 or equivalent. A continuation of modern Japanese. Emphasis on linguistic and communicative skills in speaking, reading, writing, and listening. Includes further study of Japanese culture for enhanced understanding of the language.
JAPN 3020 - Advanced Japanese
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: JAPN 3010 or equivalent. A continuation of modern Japanese. Emphasis on linguistic and communicative skills in speaking, reading, writing, and listening. Includes further study of Japanese culture for enhanced understanding of the language.
- JAPN 3000-4000 level elective 6 credit hours
- Minor courses 12 credit hours
- Electives 6 credit hours
Subtotal: 30 hours
Senior
JAPN 3030 - Advanced Japanese III
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: JAPN 3020 or permission of instructor. A continuation of JAPN 3020. Emphasis on linguistic and communicative skills in speaking, reading, writing, and listening. Includes further study of Japanese culture for enhanced learning of the language.
- JAPN 4000-level elective 3 credit hours
- JAPN 3000-4000 level electives 9 credit hours
- Minor courses 12 credit hours
- Elective 1 credit hours
Subtotal: 28 hours
Japanese
JAPN 1000 - Introduction to Japanese Culture and Language
3 credit hours
A foundation course for understanding basic Japanese culture and language. This course is taught in English.
JAPN 1010 - Elementary Japanese I
3 credit hours
A foundation in reading, writing, speaking, and aural comprehension.
JAPN 1020 - Elementary Japanese II
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: JAPN 1010 or equivalent. A continuation of materials introduced in JAPN 1010.
JAPN 1040 - Intensive Elementary Japanese
6 credit hours
A foundation course in reading, writing, speaking, and aural comprehension. JAPN 1040 counts as combined credit for JAPN 1010 and JAPN 1020.
JAPN 2010 - Intermediate Japanese I
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: JAPN 1020 or equivalent.
JAPN 2020 - Intermediate Japanese II
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: JAPN 2010 or equivalent.
JAPN 3010 - Advanced Japanese
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: JAPN 2020 or equivalent. A continuation of modern Japanese. Emphasis on linguistic and communicative skills in speaking, reading, writing, and listening. Includes further study of Japanese culture for enhanced understanding of the language.
JAPN 3015 - Professional Japanese I
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: JAPN 2020 or permission of instructor. Basic linguistic and cultural skills to work in Japan or a professional Japanese setting.
JAPN 3020 - Advanced Japanese
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: JAPN 3010 or equivalent. A continuation of modern Japanese. Emphasis on linguistic and communicative skills in speaking, reading, writing, and listening. Includes further study of Japanese culture for enhanced understanding of the language.
JAPN 3030 - Advanced Japanese III
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: JAPN 3020 or permission of instructor. A continuation of JAPN 3020. Emphasis on linguistic and communicative skills in speaking, reading, writing, and listening. Includes further study of Japanese culture for enhanced learning of the language.
JAPN 3035 - Professional Japanese II
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: JAPN 3020 or permission of instructor. Advanced linguistic and cultural skills necessary to work in Japan or a professional Japanese setting.
JAPN 3570 - Introduction to Japanese Linguistics
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: JAPN 3030 or permission of instructor. Introduces linguistic study of the Japanese language with emphasis on theoretical, social, and applied linguistic concepts and data in Japanese. Taught in Japanese.
JAPN 3900 - Japan Study Abroad
3 credit hours
Students will explore various traditional and modern aspects of Japan while studying abroad. May be repeated. Does not count toward Japanese major or minor.
JAPN 4010 - Topics in Japanese Language and Culture
3 credit hours
Topics will vary and will be selected from specialized areas in Japanese language or culture. May be repeated for maximum 6 hours credit toward major.
JAPN 4020 - Modern Japanese Literature
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: JAPN 3030 or permission of instructor. Examines Japanese modern literary works, techniques, and authors from early-to-mid twentieth century to the present. Taught in Japanese.
JAPN 4030 - Form and Void: A Study of Japanese Poetics
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: JAPN 3030. Examination of Japanese poetics from earliest days to present.
JAPN 4040 - Advanced Japanese in Cultural Context I
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: JAPN 3030 or permission of instructor. Building on advanced skills of reading, writing, speaking, and listening in Japanese with particular emphasis on the study of a variety of content topics.
JAPN 4050 - Advanced Japanese in Cultural Context II
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: JAPN 4040 or permission of instructor. Building on advanced skills of reading, writing, speaking, and listening in Japanese with particular emphasis on the study of a variety of content topics.
JAPN 4570 - Topics in Japanese Linguistics
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: JAPN 3570 or permission of instructor. Continuing the linguistic study of the Japanese language with focus on selected topics at the advanced level. Course taught in Japanese.
JAPN 4900 - Directed Study in Japanese
1 to 6 credit hours
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Individualized intensive reading in primary and secondary sources relating to specific topic in Japanese language and/or culture.
Forms
Study abroad programs
Interested students can participate in Exchange:
Faculty-led programs:
