At the Japanese Program within East Asian Languages and Cultures, we take great pride in being one of only two public universities in New England to offer a comprehensive Japanese major.
Our faculty are renowned experts whose research spans a wide range of fields—from Japanese women's literature, popular culture, and new media studies (encompassing manga, anime, and video games), to Japanese linguistics, pedagogy, Edo-period print culture, classical poetry, and religious and ritual practices.
Our course offerings are equally diverse, designed to serve students with varied interests. In addition to a full lineup of language courses, we offer specialized classes on manga and anime, kuzushiji (cursive manuscript) reading, ghosts and monsters, food culture, linguistics and pedagogy, as well as classical and modern literature.
The overarching goal of our program is to prepare students to thrive in a globalized world by cultivating both Japanese language proficiency and deep cultural understanding. To this end, we have established the following learning objectives:
- Well-Developed Communication Skills
Students learn to present clear, well-supported arguments—both orally and in writing—while articulating different perspectives and weighing the advantages and disadvantages of various options. - Cultural Adaptability
We emphasize cultural fluency, training students to act and speak appropriately in a variety of social settings in Japan—whether formal, casual, or business—grounded in an understanding of Japanese customs and traditions. - Historical and Cultural Awareness
Students explore the historical development of Japanese literary and cultural traditions through to the present, cultivating a comprehensive and nuanced perspective on Japan’s rich heritage. - Research and Documentation
Our students develop the ability to conduct and document research in both Japanese and English, honing their analytical, academic, and cross-linguistic skills. - Appreciation of Diversity
We foster open discussions about cultural similarities and differences, encouraging respect for diversity and promoting inclusive thinking.
The success of our program is reflected in our students’ achievements. Approximately 80% of our majors—many of whom begin with no prior knowledge of Japanese—reach Level N2 of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test by graduation, and about 10% attain the advanced N1 level.
Many graduates go on to work in Japan through the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program. Others have pursued exciting careers as college professors, translators, software engineers, game localization specialists, consultants, artists, and more.