University Catalog 2024-2025

Japan Studies (Minor)

Over the next two decades, the nations of the Pacific Rim will continue to grow and exert global influence in the areas of culture, business and economics, international relations. The Japan Studies Minor provides students with an understanding of the language, culture and history of Japan and gives students a foundation on which to explore the future of this nation and its relations with others through out the world. Students of any major who intend to work overseas or in multicultural settings and firms within the United States will find this minor very useful.

Admissions

To be admitted to the program, a student must have a GPA of at least 2.0. Application for admission to any University minor program is now available via MyPack Portal. Admission will be based upon the student’s academic record, and in most cases no longer requires departmental review. Go to Add a Minor to apply.

Certification

Students should declare the minor as soon as they have completed the first course for the minor, and complete their course work according to their minor degree audit, and the minor requirements. Students can monitor their progress toward completing the minor by viewing their Minor Degree Audit online, anytime, in MyPack Portal. Questions regarding unmet course requirements on the Minor Degree Audit (indicated by a red ‘X’) should be directed to the Minor Coordinator, below. Students contact the Coordinator of Advising, once they have completed all of their courses for the minor, or during the registration period for the student’s final semester at NC State, in order to complete the final certification of the minor. Students will receive official recognition on their transcripts for the completed minor. 

Contact Person

Kyung Hee Ha
201 Withers Hall
kha3@ncsu.edu

SIS Code: 16JSM

Plan Requirements

  • Completion of 15 credit hours is required.
  • 3 hours (1 course) of Japanese language instruction at or above FLJ 202 Intermediate Japanese II level required. (If students wish to do a minor consisting of all Japanese language courses, please apply to the Japanese Minor instead of the Japan Studies Minor.)
  • 6 hours (2 courses) of Upper-level Japan Related Electives from approved course list required. 
  • 6 additional hours (2 courses) of Elective courses from approved course list required.
  • Nine (9) credit hours must be taken at NC State and a maximum of six (6) credit hours may be transferred into the minor from another institution. The Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures will determine which courses transferred from other institutions may qualify to meet requirements for the minor.
  • A minimum grade of ‘C’ for all courses taken toward the completion of the minor.
  •  A maximum of two (2) courses may be used (double-counted) towards requirements for any additional minor(s) or any departmental major requirements.
  • No courses for the minor may be taken for S/U credit.

Students may declare the minor once they are enrolled in a class that counts toward the minor.

Required Course (Intermediate Japanese II or Higher)3
Intermediate Japanese II
Intermediate Japanese II Conversation
Intermediate Japanese III
Intermediate Japanese IV
Advanced Japanese I
Advanced Japanese II
Upper-level, Japan-related Electives6
Intermediate Japanese III
Intermediate Japanese IV
Classical Japanese Literature in Translation
Early Modern Japanese Literature in Translation
Modern Japanese Literature in Translation
Contemporary Culture in Japan
Advanced Japanese I
Advanced Japanese II
Modern Japan, 1850 to Present
Japan's Empire in Asia, 1868-1945
Politics of China and Japan
The Buddhist Traditions
Japanese Religions
With the Minor advisor’s approval, additional Japan-related courses, such as FL/ENG 394 may fulfill the upper-level course requirement.
Elective Courses6
Studies in Great Works of Non-Western Literature
Intermediate Japanese I
Intermediate Japanese Conversation
Intermediate Japanese II Conversation
Intermediate Japanese III
Intermediate Japanese IV
Classical Japanese Literature in Translation
Early Modern Japanese Literature in Translation
Modern Japanese Literature in Translation
Contemporary Culture in Japan
Advanced Japanese I
Advanced Japanese II
Asian Civilizations to 1800
Modern Asia: 1800 to Present
Japan's Empire in Asia, 1868-1945
Politics of China and Japan
Asian Religions
The Buddhist Traditions
Japanese Religions
With the Minor advisor’s approval, additional Japan-related courses, such as FL/ENG 394 may fulfill the elective course requirement.
Total Hours15