Curriculum

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Below is the basic subject list for courses on the Modern Japanese Studies Program. To learn more about any individual subject, follow the link to see an individual page containing the syllabus and more details about the course. Or, use Hokkaido University’s open access syllabus search engine to see the full syllabus (click シラバス検索, select English, then under “Course of Study” choose “Undergraduate Student” and for “Instructor” put in the professor’s name).

Intensive Japanese Course

An intensive 6-month course in the Japanese language. Reach approx. Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) Level N4.

Courses

  • Japanese Language Classes (beginners to intermediate)
  • Homeroom (includes basic introductions to Informatics and Study Skills)

Bachelor’s Degree: Years 1-2

Intensive education in the Japanese language. Reach approx. JLPT Level N3 or N2 by the end of the first year, and approx. Level N2 or N1 by the end of the second year. Introductory courses in Japanese Studies and general education courses.

Courses

  • Japanese Language Classes (Foundational Japanese: intermediate to advanced)
  • Applied Japanese
  • Japanese Affairs
  • Liberal Arts Courses and Foundation Courses
  • Learning at Hokkaido University
  • Introduction to Informatics I
  • General Education Seminars: Various courses in English based on the research specialties of the English speaking faculty members.
  • Academic Writing
  • Intercultural Exchange Seminars: Group-based learning with Japanese students in Japanese.
  • Introduction to Japanese Studies I: History
  • Introduction to Japanese Studies II: Culture
  • Introduction to Japanese Studies III: Society
  • Introduction to Japanese Studies IV: Political Economy
  • Multiculturality in Hokkaido and Japan
  • Aspects of Japan: Various classes taught in English by MJSP professors and professors from other faculties
  • Modern Japanese Studies Workshop
  • Seminar Study
  • Project Study I (Study Plan)

Bachelor’s Degree: Years 3-4

Reach approx. JLPT Level 1 by the end of the third year. Classes in business and/or academic Japanese. Major/minor subject courses in English and/or Japanese. By the fourth year, most major/minor subject courses are taken in Japanese. Optional courses include an internship and study abroad. Undertake major self-study projects in the Digital Portfolio and Graduation Thesis.

 Courses

  • Japanese History (Theory & Practice) I-III
  • Japanese Culture (Theory & Practice) I-III
  • Japanese Society (Theory & Practice) I-III
  • Japanese Political Economy (Theory & Practice) I-III
  • Advanced Business / Academic Japanese
  • Major / Minor subjects related to Japanese Studies taught in Japanese in the Faculties of Law, Letters, Education and Economics
  • Optional courses taught in Japanese in other faculties (for example, in Environmental Science)
  • Study abroad (at one of Hokkaido University’s partner institutions)
  • Internships
  • Modern Japanese Studies Workshop
  • Seminar Study
  • Project Study II
  • Project Study III: Graduation thesis (a substantial piece of original research)

Curriculum Map

Curriculum Map (For students enrolled in 2020, 2021 and 2022) (PDF)

Curriculum Map (For students enrolled after 2023) (PDF)

Updated 4 April 2023. May be subject to change.