Modern Languages - Japanese
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The Japanese Language Program at K-State offers Beginner to Advanced level courses in Japanese. Japanese classes at K-State focus on developing learners' oral language proficiency, written language proficiency, and cultural understanding of the Japanese style of communication. Japanese can expand your options in the job market, connect you globally, give you direct access to cutting-edge technology, and expose you to fun and thoughtful ways to live life. Students can take Japanese courses to count toward their language requirements for the B.A. or pursue a minor in Japanese Studies or a secondary major in International and Area Studies. |
| Spring 2026 Line Schedule | Fall 2026 Line Schedule |
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JAPAN 101 - Japanese I
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Fall 2026: Introduction to the fundamental linguistic and cultural characteristics of the Japanese language and its writing systems (Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji). This course provides the basic characteristics of Japanese in both written and spoken forms. Through highly interactive class activities, students will develop their beginning level letter-sound correspondences and conversational skills, while also acquiring the basic language structures and formulaic expressions. Counts toward:
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JAPAN 200 - Japanese II
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SPRING 2027: This course builds on the basic grammatical patterns and syntax of the Japanese language acquired in Japanese I. Through highly interactive in-class activities, students will further develop their comprehension (listening and reading) and production (speaking and writing). Students are also taught how to use helpful strategies to enhance their learning.
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JAPAN 201 - Japanese III
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Fall 2026: This course emphasizes building and applying basic linguistic knowledge and skills in the contexts of varied communicative tasks. Students will also represent their comprehension of more complex language structures using multi-modal tools in both oral and written language forms. Counts toward:
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JAPAN 299 - Special Studies in Japanese |
Study Abroad - Introduction to Japanese Culture and Language for Specific Purposes
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JAPAN 301 - Japanese IV
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SPRING 2027: This course is designed to further develop the four language skills in Japanese (listening, speaking, reading, and writing). Students will gain necessary skills and develop not only their linguistic competence but also their communicative and cultural competence. For example, they will start learning to use Japanese honorific language in various social contexts. Counts toward:
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JAPAN 501 - Japanese V
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Fall 2026: This course is aimed at developing students' Japanese language proficiency into the high-intermediate level. Students will further develop their linguistic, communicative, and cultural competence. They will also explore varied discourse patterns (e.g., cause and effect, comparison-contrast) in both receptive and productive language skills. Counts toward:
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JAPAN 502 - Japanese VI
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SPRING 2027: Development of practical communication skills will be sought through application activities. Deeper understanding of Japanese culture and better command of the Japanese language are enhanced through advanced grammar, vocabulary, sentence structures, as well as proverbs, idioms, and their usage. Active participatation in a variety of communicative tasks, work creatively and cooperatively with your classmates to co-construct your knowledge and develop your Japanese language skills. Pre-req: JAPAN 501. Counts toward:
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The Japanese Studies Minor requires 18 credits in total. 15 credits of Japanese courses beginning with Japanese II, and 3 credits of ancillary courses (English, Geography, History, or Political Sciences) approved by the department of Modern Languages. Study Abroad and Retroactive Credit apply toward the Japanese Studies Minor. Please see our list of courses below.
- To declare or drop a Japanese Studies Minor, please use this form.
Japanese Language & Culture Courses (15 credit hours)
Japanese courses in the 200 level and above.
- JAPAN 200 - Japanese II K-State Core: 6 Arts and Humanities
- JAPAN 201 - Japanese III K-State Core: 6 Arts and Humanities
- JAPAN 301 - Japanese IV
- JAPAN 391 - Culture of Japanese Communication
- JAPAN 501 - Japanese V
- JAPAN 599 - Special Studies in Japanese
Ancillary Courses (3 credit hours)
3 credit hours from the following list:
- ENGL 388 - Asian American Literatures
- HIST 330 - History of East Asian Civilizations
- HIST 331 - Introduction to Japan
- HIST 501 - Japan’s Samurai Age
- HIST 508 - Introduction to Modern East Asia
- HIST 509 - Japan Since 1550
- HIST 850 - History and Security: East Asia
- JAPAN 502 - Japanese VI
- JAPAN 599 - Special Studies in Japanese
- MLANG courses at the 300-level or above Credits / Units: 3
- POLSC 625 - East Asian Politics
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Other courses may be substituted in via written petition from student to department and subsequent approval by (1) Japanese faculty and (2) department head Credits / Units: 3
Learn about Japan's fascinating history, food and culture through Study Abroad!
KSU in Japan!
Course Dates: May 26 (depart US) to June 9 (depart Japan), 2025
Application Deadline: February 1, 2025
Need application help? Contact Amanda Mack, Education Abroad Advisor, Mackah@ksu.edu
KSU in Japan is an interdisciplinary faculty-led program open to all KSU students and majors. The two-week study tour begins in Tokyo, the economic and technological center of the country. Here, students will visit Japanese technology companies before being whisked south to Fukuoka to visit additional companies and Kyushu university. Next, students will travel to Kyoto, where they will gain exposure to Japan's fascinating history, both recent and ancient. Throughout the program, students will have opportunities to engage locals, sample a variety of local cuisines, and reflect on and appreciate the many cultural differences that students will encounter.
Courses offered: CIS 118 Computer Science Professional Seminar (1 undergraduate credit), JAPAN 299 Introduction to Japanese Culture and Language (2-3 undergraduate credits)