Modern Languages - Japanese

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.

Want to know more about Japanese @K-State?

Need some financial assistance? Interested in studying abroad? Want to declare a Japanese Studies Minor? Need to apply for retroactive credit? Come practice your Japanese, chat, and meet people at our Japanese Language Table. Have any questions? Contact:

Dr. Miki Loschky
Teaching Assistant Professor
EH 216
mikil@ksu.edu

Japanese Minor Requirements

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.

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
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

Japanese Course Descriptions

JAPAN 101 - Japanese I

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.

Typically offered in Fall semesters
Counts toward Foreign Language requirements of the BA or BS

JAPAN 200 - Japanese II

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.

Typically offered in Spring semesters
Counts toward Foreign Language requirements of the BA or BS

JAPAN 201 - Japanese III

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.

Typically offered in Fall semesters
Counts toward Foreign Language requirements of the BA or BS

JAPAN 301 - Japanese IV

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.

Typically offered in Spring semesters
Counts toward Foreign Language requirements of the BA or BS

JAPAN 501 - Japanese V

j301

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.

Typically offered in Fall semesters
Counts toward Foreign Language requirements of the BA or BS

JAPAN 502 - Japanese VI

This course is a comprehensive Japanese language course. It provides a well-balanced development of the four language skills (reading, writing, speaking, and listening). Students will use the target language structures purposefully (e.g., for problem solving, debating pros and cons). In doing so, they will come to use the strategies needed to communicate at the high-intermediate to advanced level. Furthermore, they will gain necessary skills and develop the ability to use the target language in a coherent manner both linguistically and pragmatically.

Typically offered in Spring semesters
Counts toward Foreign Language requirements of the BA or BS

Study in Japan

Learn about Japan's fascinating history, food and culture through Study Abroad!

Japan flier

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)