Japanese
College of Humanities
10
Average
Class Size
Bennion
Center
Hinckley
Institute
Courses
Getting Started
- Meet with a WLC Advisor to learn which Japanese class you should take first
- Follow WLC on social media to stay updated on announcements and resources -Insta/Twitter @UofUlanguages
Making Progress
- Run a degree audit every semester to track progress
- Complete WLC 2010 or 2020 for an introduction to the Japanese major
- Check out Japanese classes taught in English
- Meet with an Academic Advisor to plan ahead for your WLC Practicum Signature Experience
- Combine your Japanese language major with a related area of study such as business, political science, film, or art history
Finishing Up
- Complete your WLC Practicum Signature Experience to see where Japanese can take you!
- Meet with a WLC Academic Advisor for a smooth graduation experience
Community
Getting Started
- Attend Japanese events as they are posted on the activities calendar at https://languages.utah.edu/events/index.php
- Live on campus in a Theme Community e.g. the Go Global Floor or the O.C. Tanner Humanities House
Making Progress
- Take a CLAC course
- Schedule a consultation with an Involvement Ambassador to personalize your university involvement
- Join the Bennion Center Scholars Program or complete a Saturday Service Project related to Japanese
- Take courses with a small student cohort and build positive peer relationships by becoming a LEAP Scholar
Finishing Up
- Take JAPAN 3940 to connect with your language community in the Salt Lake area
- Present your volunteer or internship experience at a campus conference
Knowledge & Skills
Getting Started
- After declaring your Japanese major, explore other departments to focus your long-term goals
- Sign up for free or affordable one-on-one tutoring at the Learning Center
Making Progress
- Apply to be a FLAS Scholar for a summer or academic year scholarship
- Complete a local, national, or global language internship in Japanese through the Hinckley Institute to discover career opportunities and widen your network; organizations include the Asian Chamber of Commerce, the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, APCO Worldwide, and more
Finishing Up
- Participate in undergraduate research with a professor and receive funding from UROP or the Capstone Program
- Become a Hinckley Institute student staff member or Ambassador
Transformation
Getting Started
- Join the Bennion Center First Year Service Corps for Japanese-related volunteer opportunities
- Apply for Japanese scholarships with the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid
Making Progress
- Study Japanese abroad with U of U students and faculty in Osaka, Japan!
- You'll enjoy visiting important cultural sites in Osaka and Nara and participating in traditional activities such as flower arrangement, tea ceremonies, & calligraphy
- Scholarships available from the Learning Abroad Office
- Alternatively, consider an Affiliate Program to spend time in a Japanese university such as Doshisha, Kansai, Waseda, or Akita
Finishing Up
- Finalize your Learning Portfolio and share your college accomplishments with employers
- Participate in the annual Japanese Speech Contest to show off your skills!
Impact
Getting Started
- Find events on the University Events Calendar related to your interests
- Attend a Hinckley Forum to learn about local and global issues
- Attend a MUSE Casual Friday
Making Progress
- Register for a service-focused Alternative Break through the Bennion Center
- Become a Bennion Center Student Leader to promote volunteer opportunities in Japanese
- Explore Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute programs to start a business venture and use your Japanese skills to expand it
- Tutor beginner students in Japanese through the Learning Center
Finishing Up
- Help prospective students plan and prepare for the U experience by becoming an Admissions Office University Ambassador
- Complete an Alumni Bennion Summer Fellowship
Careers
Getting Started
- Activate and customize your Handshake account to explore jobs, internships, and career events
- Take a Career Course (HUM 3960, CSBS 2700, UGS 1950) to explore career options
Making Progress
- Meet with a Career Coach to help you explore potential careers that align with your strengths, values, interests, and personality
- Attend Career Fairs and Expos (check out employers beforehand in Handshake!)
- Secure a part-time job or internship in an industry of interest through Handshake
- Search on Jobs in Japan and Career Forum; don't forget about the popular JET Program
Finishing Up
- Refine your resume and cover letters at the Career Studio
- Practice interviewing and salary negotiations with a Career Coach
- Expand your network with Forever Utah
Start Your Career Journey
Find support at the Career and Professional Development Center (CPDC)
About the Major
The Department of World Languages and Cultures provides an in-depth look at multiple languages and cultures. If you are interested in expanding your worldview and knowledge of the diverse world you inhabit, then one of these 10 majors is a great fit for you! There are 8 majors that focus on language -- Chinese, French, French Teaching, German, Japanese, Russian, Spanish, and Spanish Teaching -- and 2 majors that focus on culture -- Classics and Religious Studies. Within any of these majors, you'll further your understanding of other cultures, which in turn refines your critical thinking, writing, and communication skills across any language. You will have the opportunity to engage with literature, film, history, music, various aspects of popular media, and other arts to develop a comparative perspective on your own culture, language, values, history, and traditions. This inter-cultural understanding will help prepare you to engage intelligently and sympathetically with multiple peoples and nations across the world, opening the door to plenty of opportunities across diverse professions. The Department of World Languages and Cultures in committed to preparing you to contribute globally in all areas of social, cultural, business, and political interaction. You will become a more productive and empathetic citizen of Utah, the USA, and the world.
Learning Outcomes
- Develop cultural competency in a culture(s) of your choice.
- Gain broad knowledge and comprehension of the literature, history, geography, art, architecture, philosophy, religions, etc. of the region(s) in which a target language is spoken.
- Learn to apply critical analysis to cultural artifacts, particularly texts, in a chosen culture(s) and across cultures.
- Communicate knowledge effectively both in a chosen language(s) and one's own native language.
Plan & Prepare
At the U, we plan for our students to have an exceptional Educational Experience identified by four broad categories we call the Learning Framework: Community, Knowledge & Skills, Transformation, and Impact. This major map will help you envision, explore, design, and plan your personalized Exceptional Education Experience with the Learning Framework at the core. In addition to assisting you in planning your coursework and navigating the requirements of your major, this map will help you incorporate other kinds of experiences to expand your knowledge, support your development, and prepare you for the future you want.