Japanese Language

The Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures offers a comprehensive undergraduate major in Japanese Language. This program equips students with deep insights into the humanistic study of key East Asian traditions, emphasizing modern and classical Japanese language skills. Students engage intensively with diverse East Asian texts, understanding their historical and cultural significance while enhancing their critical thinking and advanced writing abilities.

The curriculum introduces students to East Asia's rich literary, artistic, philosophical, and cultural traditions and examines their evolution into modern contexts. Courses are designed to deepen language proficiency and explore East Asia's role in global dynamics through various disciplinary and comparative lenses.

Completing the major involves advanced coursework in Japanese, including options in literature, popular culture, philosophy, and linguistics. Students gain proficiency in modern Japanese and introductory knowledge of its classical forms through translated and original language studies.

Students who demonstrate exceptional academic ability can undertake an honors thesis. Details on requirements and application procedures are under the Major Requirements tab.

The Minor

The Department of East Asian Languages & Cultures (EALC) offers a minor in Japanese designed for students seeking to master the Japanese language and delve into the country's rich cultural tapestry. This minor allows students to explore foundational aspects of Japanese literature, religion, and broader cultural phenomena through elective courses. The program is an excellent choice for those looking to complement their major with a focused study on Japan, enhancing their understanding and appreciation of its linguistic and cultural heritage.

Other Majors and Minors Offered by the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures

Major Requirements

In addition to the University, campus, and college requirements, listed on the College Requirements tab, students must fulfill the below requirements specific to their major program.

General Guidelines

1. All courses that fulfill the major requirements below must be taken for graded credit.
2. No more than one upper division course may simultaneously fulfill requirements for a student's major and minor programs, except for minors offered outside the College of Letters & Science.
3. To fulfill the major requirements, a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 must be maintained in upper- and lower-division courses.

Please see the College Requirements tab for information on residence and unit requirements.

Major Requirements

Prerequisites (All courses require a grade of C or higher)

• Elementary Japanese: JAPAN 1A
• Introduction to Japanese Literature and Media: JAPAN 7A or 7B (must be completed at UC Berkeley)

Lower Division Requirements (including Prerequisites)

• Elementary Japanese: JAPAN 1A and 1B
• Intermediate Japanese: JAPAN 10A and 10B
• Introduction to Japanese Literature and Media: Two of these courses, JAPAN 7A or 7B (must be completed at UC Berkeley)

Upper Division Requirements

Language

• Advanced Japanese: JAPAN 100A and 100B
• Classical Japanese
  • JAPAN 120
  • One Classical Japanese Literature Course Choose from courses numbered JAPAN 130 - JAPAN 146

  East Asian Literature & Culture

  • One Upper Division East Asian Languages Course (e.g., EA100, EA102)

  Electives

  • Two courses offered by EALC in Chinese, EALANG, Japanese, Korean, Mongolian, or Tibetan

  Placement and Course Substitutions

  • Students with previous Japanese language experience are required to take a placement exam. Details about placement exams are available on the department’s website.
  • Students placed out of required language courses must complete additional advisor-approved courses the Department offers to fulfill unit requirements.
  • No more than two upper-division courses can be taken outside the EALC department, and the undergraduate advisor must approve them. A course syllabus may be necessary for approval. Requests for approval may be submitted online.

  Declaring the Major

  Students are admitted to the major after completing the prerequisites (with a grade of C or higher). Please see the major requirements on this page for information regarding the prerequisites. Students can view the department's Japanese major page for the most up-to-date information. Students are advised to begin preparation for the major as soon as possible while completing university, college, and department requirements.

  Students interested in majoring in the program should schedule an appointment with the undergraduate adviser regarding major requirements, transfer credits, and other academic concerns.

  Honors Program

  Criteria :

  • Completion of 12 units of upper-division language courses within the department.
  • A minimum GPA of 3.5 in these courses.
  • An overall GPA of 3.0 at the university.

  Program Structure and Requirements:

  • Qualified seniors may apply for admission to the honors program.
  • Accepted students will enroll in JAPAN H195A and JAPAN H195B honors courses over two consecutive semesters.
  • Participants must complete an honors thesis submitted by the 13th week of the semester in which they expect to graduate.

  Guidance and Assessment :

  • During the program, students will undertake independent advanced study under the guidance of an assigned honors thesis adviser.
  • A faculty committee will evaluate the completed thesis and the student's overall performance within the department to determine the level of honors awarded: honors, high honors, or highest honors.

  Graduation Criteria :

  • To be eligible for honors, students must also achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.3 in all undergraduate coursework at the university by graduation. Failure to meet this criterion will result in the non-issuance of honors recognition.

  Organizing an Honors Thesis Project

  To initiate an Honors Thesis Project in the Department of East Asian Languages & Cultures (EALC), a student should follow these steps:

  1. Choosing a Supervisor:
     • The student must approach and secure a faculty member from the EALC department to serve as the thesis supervisor. The faculty member should have expertise in the area of study the student wishes to explore.
  2. Project Development:
     • Together, the student and the faculty supervisor will determine the topic, scope, and a detailed plan for research and writing of the thesis. This collaborative planning ensures the project is feasible and aligns with academic standards and goals.
  3. Forming the Thesis Committee:
     • In consultation with the faculty supervisor, the student will identify and invite two additional faculty members to join the thesis committee. This should be completed by the beginning of the student’s final semester before graduation.
     • The committee members provide additional perspectives and expertise, contributing to a robust review and guidance process.
  4. Registration and Support:
     • The student should consult with the Undergraduate Advisor to discuss the process for enrolling in the necessary thesis courses and to receive advice on getting started with the thesis project.

  These steps are designed to ensure that the student is well-prepared and supported throughout the process of completing the honors thesis, leading to a meaningful and academically rigorous culmination of their studies in the EALC department.