Mar 28, 2024  
Catalog 2019-2020 
    
Catalog 2019-2020 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Japanese Language & Culture, Minor


The Japanese Language and Culture minor is ideal if you have completed your World Culture and Language Requirement in Japanese while majoring in another field, but also want to work in Japan or with the Japanese in your career.

This minor allows you to continue developing your Japanese ability while enriching your language knowledge through in-depth study of the Japanese culture. You acquire an understanding of this 2000-year-old civilization’s dynamic history. You are introduced to philosophical and psychological perspectives (ideas, beliefs, attitudes, values), the behavioral practices, the customs, and creative patterns (literature, art, music, etc.) of the Japanese culture. You also develop an understanding of the Japanese-American experience from both Japanese and American historical perspectives.

As the world’s number two economy, Japan is active in almost every area of human endeavor, so, as career preparation and enhancement, a Japanese Language and Culture minor integrates well with all other CSUMB majors, especially those encompassing science and technology, the arts, education, and business. Some of our students have been attracted to trilingual media and environmental science opportunities (Japanese-Spanish-English) and other interesting Pacific Rim career fields.

Required Courses


Please note: Twelve of the units taken to complete a minor (6 of which are upper division) may not be used in fulfillment of other minors, concentrations, or major requirements.

You must successfully complete 13 units that include both language and culture courses from the following lists:

*Courses completed during Study Abroad may be counted toward this minor with approval from an advisor in the Japanese program.

Learning Outcomes


Language Proficiency

Students will demonstrate an Intermediate-Mid proficiency level in the four major skills (speaking, listening, reading and writing) according to American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) guidelines.

Cultural Knowledge

Students will be able to provide a comparative description and basic analysis of the people, history and culture of Japan; engage in learning about the evolution of cultural customs and practices from the traditional into the modern; attain an appropriate knowledge base and other skills necessary for cross-cultural communications acquired by exploring non-western ways of thinking and perspectives as revealed in such topics as social issues, popular culture, Japanese Mind, Anime, literature and related topics.