Japanese
Our program fosters authentic learning experiences through teaching an enriching Japanese curriculum. We want you to become a passionate lifelong learner of the Japanese language.
About
Genuine beginners should enroll in JPN101. Anyone with prior Japanese language knowledge will be required to take a placement test with an instructor to determine placement at UNCW.
Please contact Dr. Ryan Lidster for information on placement for Japanese.
The Japanese minor is an ideal complement to almost any major, from international studies and communication studies to business, computer science, digital arts, marine biology and psychology. By learning how to apply what you have learned in an intercultural context, you will increase your depth and breadth of knowledge and skills. The minor consists of 18 credits (usually 6 courses), divided up as follows:
- Six credits for basic Japanese language proficiency: JPN 201 and JPN 202 (Intermediate Japanese language), or equivalent proficiency
- Twelve credits from courses at the 300-level or higher on Japanese language, literature or culture. Below is a list of example courses:
- JPN 302 – Japanese Writing and Cultural Studies
- JPN 311 – Perspectives on Modern Japanese Culture
- JPN 394 – Study Abroad in Japan (courses taught in Japanese, repeatable for up to 12 credits)
- JPN 491 – Special Topics in Japanese
- FST 385 – Japanese Cinema
- PAR 374 – Japanese Religions
- INT 338 – Modern Japan Through Film
- INT 339 – Japan Encounters the World
- JPN 294 – Study Abroad in Japan (for courses taught in English) is repeatable for up to nine credits towards the minor
- Other courses as approved by the minor advisor. For example, HST 362 – History of Pre-Modern East Asia, and HST 363 – History of Modern East Asia rotate their focus between Japan and other regions. When the subject matter focuses on Japan, it can be used towards the Japanese minor.
Beginner: JPN 101 & JPN 102
Beginner-level courses set students up to understand basic vocabulary and sentence structure. you will gain helpful skills for a short trip to Japan after completing introductory courses. You will learn:
- Greetings
- Shopping
- Ordering at restaurants
- Talking about schedules
- Reading menus
- Writing simple notes by mastering Hiragana, Katakana and basic Kanji
Intermediate: JPN201 & JPN202
The intermediate level courses help you to be lifelong learner of Japanese. We use a variety of online resources and studying structures to talk about their desires, experiences, annual and seasonal activities.
Students of JPN201 and JPN202 will work with Japanese peers on campus and with our partner universities for cultural and study exchanges through course web site.
Study Abroad (Intermediate Only)
Intermediate level students have opportunities to interact with Japanese peers on campus. They can also connect with students at our partner universities for cultural and learning exchanges.
There are summer, single-semester and full-year study abroad programs in Japan.
Students can take advantage of study abroad programs through the Office of International Programs. These programs are arranged to further develop Japanese language skills.
Student Activities
Students of the Japanese program are encouraged to become conversational partners with Japanese students to learn about different cultures. Contact the English as Second Language (ESL) program at UNCW for more information.
In the News
Showers & Tucker Place Third in Duke Japanese Speech Contest
Bethany Showers got third place at 300 level of the contest division. Holly Tucker also received third place in the 200 level division. The finalists came from Duke University, UNC-Charlotte, UNC-Chapel Hill, UNC-Greensboro and NC State University.
Bethany and Holly did an excellent job presenting and answering questions in Japanese right after their speeches were given to the audience.
Bethany was a creative writing major with a Japanese minor. She was also an honors student. Holly was a communication studies major with a minor in human behavior.
Burkinshaw & Showers Attend U.S.-Japan Relations Tomodachi Conference
Bethany Showers and Sara Burkinshaw were selected along with 18 graduate and undergraduate students nationwide to attend the U.S.-Japan Relations Tomodachi Conference in Washington D.C. for leadership and development training.
The theme of the conference was "Exploring U.S.-Japan Relations in the Nation’s Capital: Leadership, Legacy, Politics and Policy." It was an opportunity for:
- Leadership training
- Networking
- Learning about Japanese and Japanese-American contributions on a national level
- Thinking about ways they, as students, might contribute to strengthening the U.S.-Japan relationship in the present and future
Bethany was a senior double majoring in English and creative writing with a minor in Japanese. Sara was a sophomore majoring business with an entrepreneurship concentration. They both had a chance to contribute to:
- The international dialogue between young American and Japanese voices
- The strengthening of community among students
- The enhancing cross-cultural awareness and build the people-to-people ties that are important to the future of our bilateral relationship
NC Teaching Asia Network (NCTAN)
North Carolina Teaching Asia Network (NCTAN) offers seminars on East Asian:
- History
- Geography
- Literatures
- Arts
- Philosophy
- Culture
- And more
The participants are in-service teachers who teach about East Asia and will receive teaching resources from the seminar. They will be also eligible to apply for the trip to East Asia upon completion of seminar requirements and other NCTAN sponsored projects.
NCTAN is under the initiative of Columbia University's East Asia Center. The Office of NCTAN is located at UNC-Wilmington Please see the bottom of the home page for more information.