Department of Modern Languages and Literatures

O'Dowd Hall, Room 372
586 Pioneer Drive
Rochester, MI 48309-4482
(location map)
(248) 370-2060
Fax: (248) 370-3170

Department of Modern Languages and Literatures

O'Dowd Hall, Room 372
586 Pioneer Drive
Rochester, MI 48309-4482
(location map)
(248) 370-2060
Fax: (248) 370-3170

A person holding a red and white umbrella, walking on a path between buildings in Japan.

Japanese

Why study Japanese at OU?

If you are reading this, you probably already have an interest in Japanese language and culture and want to take it further. At OU you will find a special group of students who share your interests and professors who will help you get where you want to be.

Learning Japanese is not only fun - it is also a smart career move, opening the door to employment in one of the numerous Japan-based or Japan-related companies in the area, or to jobs in government, nonprofits, or education.

Did you know that Japan is a leading investor in Michigan, with approximately 500 Michigan-based Japanese facilities that provide about 40,000 jobs in Michigan alone?

At OU, we offer a diverse set of courses and programs to fit your needs. We offer a Japanese major and minor, an additional major (for students with another major), and a STEP (Secondary Teacher Education Program) major. Outside of class, you will have the opportunity to participate in many Japan-related events. OU offers opportunities to study abroad and participate in Japan-related internships. Many of our graduates go on to work in Japan (including through the JET program) or at Michigan-based companies and organizations.

The study of Japanese will improve your critical thinking skills and give you confidence in interacting with other cultures - necessary skills in today’s global society. Please make an appointment with a faculty member to find out more!

Meet the Japanese FacultyApply Now

Teaching Japanese

Secondary Teacher Education Program (STEP)

Students must complete the requirements for a Japanese Language and Literature, B.A. as well as a sequence of undergraduate course work in education, including:

  • SED 3000 - Introduction to Secondary Education (4)
  • DLL 4197 - Digital Technologies in the Secondary Classroom (4)
  • FE 3010 - Educational Psychology for K-12 Educators (4) 
  • RDG 4238 - Teaching Reading in the Content Area (4)
  • SED 4100 - ST: Teaching Secondary in the Minor Methods (4) 
  • SE 4401 - Introduction to Students with Special Needs (4)
  • SED 4200 - ST: Teaching Secondary of the Major Methods (4)
  • SED 4952 - Internship in Secondary Education (12)

Also required:

  • EED 3001 - Managing the Classroom Community for U.S. Diverse Learners (4)
  • EED 4240 - Foreign Language Teaching Methods in Elementary and Middle School (3)

Teaching Major in Japanese

Students must complete 32 credits of Japanese at the 3000-4000 level, including:

  • JPN 3140 - Advanced Japanese Grammar (4)
  • JPN 3160 - Japanese Conversation (4)
  • JPN 3180 - Japanese Composition (4)
  • JPN 3510 - Japanese Civilization (4)
  • JPN 3700 - Introduction to Japanese Literature (4)
  • JPN 4080 - Advanced Japanese Conversation and Reading (4)
  • IS 2200 - Perspectives on Japan (4)
  • 4 elective credits at the 3000-4000 level

Teaching Minor in Japanese 

Students must complete 20 credits of Japanese at the 3000-4000 level, including:

  • JPN 3140 - Advanced Japanese Grammar (4)
  • JPN 3180 - Japanese Composition (4)
  • JPN 3510 - Japanese Civilization (4)
  • JPN 3700 - Introduction to Japanese Literature (4)
  • 4 elective credits at the 3000-4000 level
Information For Majors

Japanese Language and Literature, B.A.

Students must complete a minimum of 36 credits at the 3000-4000 level in language, culture and literature, including:

  • JPN 3140 - Japanese Grammar and Reading (4)
  • JPN 3180 - Japanese Composition (4)
  • JPN 3550 - Translation: Japanese (4)
  • JPN 3700 - Introduction to Japanese Literature (4)
  • JPN 4200 - Modern and Contemporary Japanese Literature (4)

Plus three of the following:

  • JPN 3150 - Advanced Japanese Texts and Contexts (4)
  • JPN 3160 - Japanese Conversation (4)
    JPN 3510 - Japanese Civilization (4)
  • JPN 4080 - Advanced Japanese Conversation and Reading (4)
  • JPN 4550 - Advanced Translation from English to Japanese (4)
  • JPN 4570 - Business Japanese (4)

and two corequisites:

  • IS 2200 - Introduction to Japan (4)

and one of the following:

  • IS 3000 - Special Topics in International Studies(4) (when the topic is Japan) 
  • AH 3010 - Japanese Art (4)
  • HST 3870 - Origins of Modern Japan, 1568-1912 (4)
  • HST 3875 - Twentieth Century Japan (4)
  • CIN 3905 - Topics in Film (when the topic is Japanese cinema) (4)
  • LIT 1000 - Introduction to Asian Literature (4)
  • LIT 2905 - Studies in Foreign Film (when the topic is Japanese cinema) (4)
  • LIT 3905 - Topics in Foreign Literature (when the topic is Japanese literature) (4)


Additional Major in Japanese

Additional majors are available in Chinese, French, German, Japanese, and Spanish for students with any other major at Oakland University. The requirement is a minimum of 24 credits at the 3000-4000 level in the language being studied. 


Students planning graduate work are strongly urged to study a second foreign language recommended by the department. At least 16 credits of those required for the major in any of the languages must be taken at Oakland University.

The department offers selected courses from the catalog as warranted by student needs and availability of faculty. Go to the Oakland University catalog for details about the course description.  Specific offerings for each term may be found in the schedule of classes.

Information For Minors

Japanese Minor

Students must complete 20 credits at the 2000 level and above, including:

  • JPN 3140 - Japanese Grammar and Reading (4)>
  • JPN 3180 - Japanese Composition (4)

Plus one of the following courses:

  • JPN 3510 - Japanese Civilization (4)
  • JPN 3550 - Translation: Japanese (4)
  • JPN 4080 - Advanced Japanese Conversation and Reading (4)
  • JPN 4550 - Advanced Translation from English to Japanese (4)
  • JPN 4570 - Business Japanese (4)

Japanese Language and Civilization Minor

Students must complete 20 credits at the 2000 level and above, including:

  • JPN 3140 - Advanced Japanese Grammar (4)
  • JPN 3160 - Japanese Conversation (4)
  • JPN 3180 - Japanese Composition (4)
  • JPN 3510 - Japanese Civilization (4)

Plus corequisite:

  • IS 2200 - Perspectives on Japan (4)

Japanese Language and Literatures Minor

Students must complete 20 credits at the 2000 level and above, including:

  • JPN 3700 - Introduction to Japanese Literature (4)
  • JPN 4200 - Modern and Contemporary Japanese Literature (4)

The department offers selected courses from the catalog as warranted by student needs and availability of faculty. View the Oakland University academic catalog for course descriptions and details. Specific offerings for each term may be found in the schedule of classes.

Japan Club

Japan Club is an organization that teaches its members about Japan's Culture and Language. Join us on Facebook to stay updated on events and meeting details!

For more information, please contact [email protected].

Advising

For advising, please contact:

Japanese Major and STEP

Dr. Akiko Kashiwagi-Wood
[email protected]
360 O'Dowd

Study Abroad, Modified Major

Dr. Stephen Filler
[email protected]
375 O'Dowd

Japanese Minor

Dr. Bobby Del Greco
[email protected]
359 O'Dowd