UMass Boston

Japanese Minor

Hone Your Proficiency in the Japanese Language While Learning About Its Traditions & Culture.

Through UMass Boston’s Japanese Minor, you’ll boost your proficiency in the Japanese language and gain a deep understanding of Japan’s traditions and culture. The program teaches you to communicate effectively in Japanese and gives you insights into the country’s diverse cultural expressions. 

Courses in this program cover both Japan and East Asia as a whole. 

You’ll finish the program with valuable language and cross-cultural communication skills that can lead to various career opportunities, including translation, interpretation, international business, tourism, and teaching. 

Expand Your Studies

How To Apply/Declare

Current Undergraduate Students: Declare or change your minor by completing an Undergraduate Program Add/Change form.

Prospective Undergraduate Students: Apply for admission to UMass Boston by completing an application. Start by reviewing the first-year and transfer application pages for important information about requirements, deadlines, and application status checks. Use the links below to apply: 

Apply as a First-Year Student

Apply as a Transfer Student

Curriculum

Intermediate Language Courses (6 Credits)

  • JAPAN 201 - Intermediate Japanese I 3 Credit(s)
  • JAPAN 202 - Intermediate Japanese II 3 Credit(s)

Advanced Intermediate Language Courses (6 Credits)

  • JAPAN 301 - Advanced Intermediate Japanese I 3 Credit(s)
  • JAPAN 302 - Advanced Intermediate Japanese II 3 Credit(s)

Non-Language Electives (6 Credits)

Take two electives from the list below.

  • ART 212L - Traditional Japanese Architecture 3 Credit(s)
  • ART 256 - The Arts of Japan 3 Credit(s)
  • ART 362L - Japanese Art from 16th to 20th Centuries: Japan and the West 3 Credit(s)
  • ASIAN 265L - Icons of East Asia: Stereotypes, gender, and cultural history from geisha girls to martial masters 3 Credit(s)
  • ASIAN 358L - Psychology, Politics, and Philosophy in East Asia 3 Credit(s)
  • ASIAN 366L - Re-made in Asia: Tellings and re-tellings from the Buddha to Godzilla 3 Credit(s)
  • ASIAN 367L - Food and Culture in Japan: National Identity and Diversity, Past and Present 3 Credit(s)
  • ASIAN 480 - Topics in Asian Studies 3 Credit(s)
  • ASIAN 488L - The Idea of Asia 3 Credit(s)
  • ECON 337 - Emerging Economies in Asia 3 Credit(s)
  • HIST 363L - Modern Japan 3 Credit(s)
  • JAPAN 305 - Japanese Pronunciation 3 Credit(s)
  • JAPAN 222L - Introduction to Japanese Music 3 Credit(s)
  • JAPAN 250 - Modern Japanese Literature 3 Credit(s)
  • JAPAN 252L - Premodern Japanese Culture:From Ancient Times to 1868 3 Credit(s)
  • JAPAN 270 - Contemporary Japan 3 Credit(s)
  • JAPAN 280L - Postwar Japanese Cinema: From Kurosawa Akira to Kurosawa Kiyoshi 3 Credit(s)
  • JAPAN 367L - Food and Culture in Japan: National Identity and Diversity, Past and Present 3 Credit(s)
  • JAPAN 378 - Independent Study 1-3 Credit(s)
  • JAPAN 379 - Independent Study 1-3 Credit(s)
  • JAPAN 479 - Readings & Research 3 Credit(s)
  • PHIL 297 - Asian Philosophy 3 Credit(s)

For more information on curriculum, including course descriptions and degree requirements, visit the Academic Catalog.

Completion Requirements

Complete at least 18 credits from six courses, including two intermediate language courses, the advanced intermediate language courses, and two non-language electives. Students who have language courses waived (JAPAN 201, 202, 301, and 302) must replace any waived courses with additional electives so that at least six courses are completed for the minor.

 

Pass/fail: No courses taken pass/fail may be applied toward the minor.
Residency: No transfer courses may be applied toward the minor.

Contact

Modern Languages, Literatures, and Cultures Department
McCormack Hall, 4th Floor, Room 233
617.287.6060
MLLC [@] umb.edu

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Next Steps

Declare or Change Your Minor Request Info About UMass Boston Undergraduate Admissions