The Japanese program offers a diverse range of undergraduate- and graduate-level courses in Japanese language, literature, culture, linguistics and pedagogy, as well as providing the following degree options: Master of Arts in Japanese, Bachelor of Arts in Japanese (major) and a minor in Japanese.
The Japanese program offers courses leading to the Bachelor of Arts in Japanese (major in Japanese), minor in Japanese and the Master of Arts in Japanese. The program is ranked No. 2 among the “Most Popular Schools for Japanese Language and Literature” in the entire nation according to a study by StateUniversity.com.
The undergraduate Japanese program focuses on developing proficiency in the language in a sociocultural context by offering a variety of language training courses and by conducting courses in culture, linguistics and literature in Japanese. In addition to the required coursework, students choose electives from a broad range of subjects, which include various courses in literature and culture as well as in translation, interpretation and business Japanese.
Declare a Major/Minor in Japanese
To declare a major or minor, complete a Declaration of Major/Minor form, then make an appointment to see the program advisor. Bring a copy of your most recent university transcript to the meeting.
Program Contacts
Program Coordinator:
Masahiko Minami, mminami@sfsu.edu
Majors Advisor:
Masahiko Minami, mminami@sfsu.edu
Minor Advisor:
Midori McKeon, mmckeon@sfsu.edu
The Japanese major consists of 45 units of lower and upper division coursework. Upper-division courses in Japanese are generally conducted in Japanese, and students are expected to use Japanese in their speaking, reading and writing.
Writing in the Major
Students must complete the University’s GWAR requirement by taking MLL 400GW or CWL 400GW.
Complementary Studies
Required of all candidates for the Bachelor of Arts degree in Japanese are 12 units of Complementary Studies, which must come from courses bearing a prefix other than JAPN, excluding MLL 325, and not cross-listed with JAPN.
Japanese (B.A.) — 45 units
Courses are 3 units unless otherwise indicated.
Required Courses (39 units) (Fall 2022 Bulletin ~ present)
- JAPN 101 First Semester Japanese (4 units)
- JAPN 102 Second Semester Japanese (4 units)
- JAPN 103 Third Semester Japanese (4 units)
- JAPN 250 Intensive Study of Kanji: Level 1
- JAPN 301 Japanese Conversation
- JAPN 302 Japanese Reading and Grammar
- JAPN 251 Intensive Study of Kanji: Level 2
- JAPN 305 Advanced Conversation and Composition - Language and Culture or JAPN 306 Advanced Conversation and Composition - Language and Humanities
- JAPN 309 Advanced Readings in Japanese I or JAPN 310 Advanced Readings in Japanese II
- MLL 325 Linguistics for Foreign Languages
- JAPN 401 Topics in Japanese Culture
- JAPN 510 Modern Japanese Literature
Upper division electives (6 units)
- On advisement
Note: A minimum of 30 upper division units must be completed for the degree (including upper division units required for the major, general education, electives, etc.). A student can complete this major yet not attain the necessary number of upper division units required for graduation. In this case additional upper division courses will be needed to reach the required total.
In addition to these course requirements, the Residential Unit Requirement for BA in Japanese must be fulfilled. If course waivers for AP scores, advanced proficiency in the Japanese language, challenge by examination, or transfer credit from previous colleges are awarded, additional upper-division JAPN courses may be needed to fulfill the residential unit requirement.
The Japanese minor consists of 24 units of lower and upper division coursework. Upper-division courses in Japanese are generally conducted in Japanese, and students are expected to use Japanese in their speaking, reading and writing.
Japanese, Minor — 24 units
Courses are 3 units unless otherwise indicated.
Required Courses (24 units)
- JAPN 101 First Semester Japanese (4)
- JAPN 102 Second Semester Japanese (4)
- JAPN 103 Third Semester Japanese (4)
- JAPN 250 Individualized Study of Kanji: Level 1 (3)
- JAPN 301 Japanese Conversation (3)
- JAPN 302 Japanese Reading and Grammar (3)
- Any upper division Japanese course (except JAPN 510) (3)