Japanese

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The Department of Japanese Studies offers a full range of courses in Japanese language, culture, literature, and film. This structured sequence of courses is designed to prepare students for international careers or for graduate study. Many majors go on to careers in business, international law, or teaching. Most students begin Japanese in their first year at Middlebury College and progress through four levels in modern Japanese (Tokyo common/standard speech). An advanced-level course is available for students who have come to Middlebury with prior training in the language and for those who accelerate their study by attending the summer Japanese School and studying abroad.

The language program emphasizes all four skills: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Students learn how to use Japanese in a variety of environments and to become active and confident speakers, readers, and writers. Language teaching involves cultural contexts and considerable attention is given to "cultural fluency," as well as to effective linguistic skills. Language study grounded within the appropriate social, political, and historical framework is supported by courses in a variety of disciplines. Courses in Japanese modern and classical literature, cinema, gender studies, and contemporary culture are offered in English translation and are open to all interested students. Students are required to take courses related to Japan in the Departments of Art History, History, Political Science, Religion, or Philosophy.

Qualified students of Japanese are strongly encouraged to spend the junior year studying in Japan in one of several approved programs in Tokyo or Kyoto at prestigious universities. These programs offer Japanese language training, as well as Japanese and English-language courses in the various disciplines. Many students accelerate their language study by attending the Japanese School, Middlebury's intensive summer program. The Japanese School offers nine-week courses equivalent to one year of study. Students who attend the summer session just before study in Japan make significant gains that are solidified and enhanced by one semester or an academic year in Japan.

Students planning careers in government, international business, or law may wish to consider a major in East Asian Studies offered through the International Studies program or the International Politics and Economics major, with Japanese as a language of focus. Japanese majors may also combine their language study with a minor in another field or create a joint or double major with another subject, for example, Economics or Political Science.