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Japanese Studies

Certificate

This certificate is for students who aim to develop language competency in and cultural understanding of the Japanese language, culture and society. The certificate offers language courses up to the intermediate level that can build a solid foundation of all aspects in Japanese language as well as communicative competences in everyday settings. Furthermore, the certificate affords opportunities for students to explore and expand their interests and studies in topics related to Japan by offering a variety of elective courses across departments and faculties.

Admission Requirements

There are no specific admission requirements. To declare your Japanese studies certificate, please contact the World Languages and Literatures Advisor at wll_adv@sfu.ca.

Program Requirements

Students complete a minimum of 18 units, of which 12 are earned by completing four required core courses. The remaining courses are selected from the list of electives below. At least 12 units used toward the certificate must be completed at Simon Fraser University.

Core Courses

This certificate requires a minimum of 18 units as stipulated below.

Students complete four Japanese courses from the following list

JAPN 100 - Japanese I (3)

Introduction to Japanese for students with no background in that language. Introduces basic oral and written skills, and the three Japanese writing systems (Hiragana, Katakana and Kanji). Students who took Japanese courses in secondary school and/or with previous knowledge of Japanese may need to be evaluated for placement into JAPN 110 or higher level of courses and are required to contact the instructor before enrollment. Students enrolled directly into JAPN 110 may not take this course for credit. Breadth-Humanities.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D100 Naoko Takei
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Wed, Fri, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D300 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Thu, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby
Burnaby
D400 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, Thu, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D500 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Wed, Fri, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
Burnaby
E100 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Wed, Fri, 4:30–6:20 p.m.
Burnaby
JAPN 110 - Japanese II (3)

Follows JAPN 100. Students will acquire elementary conversational skills and basic reading ability. Students successfully completing the course attain proficiency equivalent to the level N5 Japanese Language Proficiency Test. Prerequisite: JAPN 100 or equivalent. Students who took Japanese courses in secondary school and/or with previous knowledge of Japanese may need to be evaluated for placement into JAPN 110 or higher level of courses and are required to contact the instructor before enrollment. Students enrolled directly into JAPN 200 may not take this course for credit. Students with credit for JAPN 101 may not take this course for further credit. Breadth-Humanities.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D100 Sessional
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Wed, Fri, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D200 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, Thu, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D300 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Thu, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby
Burnaby
JAPN 200 - Japanese III (3)

Follows JAPN 110. Everyday language usage is emphasized in providing students with communicative skills at the advanced introductory level of Japanese. Students learn to comprehend everyday language in various situations using the appropriate speech style, and to read adapted texts and write coherently. Prerequisite: JAPN 110 (or JAPN 101) or equivalent.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D100 Sessional
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, Thu, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
Burnaby
JAPN 210 - Japanese IV (3)

Follows JAPN 200. Provides a solid foundation in Japanese through oral and written communicative skills and prepares students for the intermediate level. Common grammatical structures and forms are introduced. At the completion of the course, students should be able to function in day-to-day conversations using Japanese and attain proficiency equivalent to the level N4 Japanese Language Proficiency Test. Prerequisite: JAPN 200 or equivalent. Students with credit for JAPN 201 may not take this course for further credit.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
E100 Sessional
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, Thu, 4:30–6:20 p.m.
Burnaby
JAPN 300 - Intermediate Japanese I (3)

Comprehension of intellectually oriented materials, processing information needed for judgment and decision making, and expression of inner feelings and thoughts. Prerequisite: JAPN 201 or by permission of the department.

JAPN 301 - Intermediate Japanese II (3)

Comprehension of intellectually oriented materials, processing information needed for judgment and decision making, and expression of inner feelings and thoughts. Prerequisite: JAPN 300 or by permission of the department.

and a minimum of one course selected from the following list

JAPN 300 - Intermediate Japanese I (3)

Comprehension of intellectually oriented materials, processing information needed for judgment and decision making, and expression of inner feelings and thoughts. Prerequisite: JAPN 201 or by permission of the department.

JAPN 301 - Intermediate Japanese II (3)

Comprehension of intellectually oriented materials, processing information needed for judgment and decision making, and expression of inner feelings and thoughts. Prerequisite: JAPN 300 or by permission of the department.

JAPN 351 - Japanese Language and Culture through Film (3)

Introduction to different styles of Japanese communication in various contexts through Japanese films, while reflecting on Japanese society and culture. Provides students with an opportunity to deepen their understanding of Japanese language and culture by learning how to tie appropriate language use to specific circumstances. Prerequisite: JAPN 300 or a placement interview. Students who have completed JAPN 210 or 301 can also enroll in the course. Course participants are expected to be able to read at least 300 kanji (Chinese characters), and to follow instructions in Japanese.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D100 Naoko Takei
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Wed, Fri, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
Burnaby
JAPN 360 - Japanese Literature as World Literature (4)

Maps out Japan’s contributions to the world’s literary heritage, whether in the form of one of the nation’s great authorial voices, a particular period or movement, or a defining theme. This exploration will tease out the ways in which these contributions are inscribed in a dynamic global matrix wherein cultures are negotiated and transformed through on-going dialogue and exchange. Students may repeat this course for further credit. Prerequisite: 45 units or permission of the department.

Any related WL course that contains Japanese literature and cultural production, or that reflects on issues of translation and intercultural exchange with prior permission from the department advisor.

Students placed in courses higher than the 100- or 200-level may seek approval to use other courses as substitutions for the core language courses.

Electives

To fulfil the minimum 18 units requirements, students may choose one course from the following list

HIST 206 - Imperial Japan (ca. 1868-1952) (3)

A survey of Japanese history from 1868 until 1952 which will examine, among other topics, the evolution of its colonial empire and wars with Russia, China and the United States, as well as the post-war Allied Occupation. Breadth-Humanities.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D100 Janice Matsumura
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D101 Janice Matsumura
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D102 Janice Matsumura
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, 3:30–4:20 p.m.
Burnaby
HIST 236 - Japan from 1603 to 1867: Peasants, Merchants, Warriors (3)

Examines aspects of the political, economic, social, cultural life during the Tokugawa/Edo period or what has been termed early modern Japan. Breadth-Humanities.

HIST 371 - The Asia-Pacific War in Modern Japanese History (4)

Covers the period in Japan from the 1930s to the 1950s and will introduce students to topics such as wartime atrocities, the dropping of the atomic bombs and the prosecution of war criminals. It will also attempt to explain why so much controversy surrounds interpretations of events arising from Japan's last war, the Asia-Pacific War. Prerequisite: 45 units, including six units of lower division history. Recommended: at least one course on modern Japan.

HIST 447W - The Nikkei Experience in North America (4)

Traces the historical experience of people of Japanese ancestry in the United States and Canada. Provides a comparative, transnational treatment of the historical conditions that created the impetus for immigration; exclusionary laws; the nature of prewar immigrant communities; and internment. Prerequisite: 45 units including nine units of lower division history. Students with credit for HIST 485 or 486 under this topic may not take this course for further credit. Writing.

HIST 464 - Problems in Modern Asian History (4) *

Concepts and methodology of modern Asian history. Selected themes may include revolution, inequality, mass violence, ideology, imperialism, leadership, and the Cold War. Content may vary from offering to offering; see course outline for further information. HIST 464 may be repeated for credit only when a different topic is taught. Prerequisite: 45 units including nine units of lower division history.

HIST 471W - Women in Japanese History (1600-1952) (4)

The history of Japan from 1600 to the mid 20th century with a focus on the economic, social, cultural and political contributions of women. Prerequisite: 45 units including nine units of lower division history. Writing.

GA 101 - Introduction to Global Asia (3) *

Introduces students to the interconnected, border-crossing worlds of Asian and Asian diasporic people through discussion of scholarship, films, short stories, essays, oral histories, and visual art. Surveys key topics in the study of globalizing processes, such as migration, trade, imperialism, decolonization, globalization, and environmental change. Students with credit for ASC 101 may not take this course for further credit. Breadth-Humanities/Social Sciences.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D100 Nadine Attewell
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Fri, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D101 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Fri, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D102 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Fri, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D103 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Fri, 3:30–4:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D104 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Fri, 3:30–4:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D105 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Fri, 4:30–5:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D106 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Fri, 4:30–5:20 p.m.
Burnaby
GA 202 - Studies in Global Asia (3) *

Introduces students to a topic in Global Asian Studies not otherwise covered in depth by regularly scheduled courses. Sample topics include South Asian diasporas; Global Asia in Vancouver; refugee experiences; or Korean culture. This course may be repeated for credit only when a different topic is taught. Prerequisite: 15 units. Students with credit for ASC 202 may not take this course for further credit.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D100 Jee-Yeon Song
Sessional
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Mon, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby
GA 301 - Asian Canadian Culture and Activism Across Borders (3) *

Focuses on the cultural production and activism of migrant, refugee, and diasporic Asians in Canada. It investigates how people of Asian origin and descent have used literature, film, music, visual art, and other media to represent their histories, experiences, and communities, as well as to advocate for themselves and others. Prerequisite: 45 units.

GA 303 - Selected Topics in Global Japanese Studies (3)

In this interdisciplinary course, students will investigate a topic relating to the histories, societies, cultures, knowledges, geographies, and/or ecologies of Japan, Japanese-speaking people, and/or people of Japanese descent in Asia and beyond. May be repeated for credit only when a different topic is taught. Prerequisite: 45 units.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D100 Angela May Kruger
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Mon, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
Burnaby
GA 400 - Selected Topics in Global Asia (3) *

Content will vary according to interests of faculty and students but will involve Global-Asia-related study within one or more of the social science or humanities disciplines. This course may be repeated for credit only when a different topic is taught. Prerequisite: 45 units.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D100 Cheryl Naruse
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Thu, 11:30 a.m.–2:20 p.m.
Burnaby
POL 381 - Japanese Politics (4)

The political system of Japan, including an analysis of political culture, political institutions, political behaviour and both formal and informal political processes. Emphasis will be placed on the post-World War II political development of Japan. Prerequisite: Six lower division units in political science or permission of the department. Students with credit for POL 381W may not take this course for further credit.

With prior permission from the departmental advisor, students may take any other Japan-related courses in Global Asia and/or history, or other Japan-related courses which do not appear in this list.

Work experience/practicum term is not required.

* When the topic is Japan related. Consult the program advisor.

Transfer, Exchange, and Challenge Units

A maximum of six units from either transfer, exchange or course challenges may be used toward this certificate. Such requests must be submitted to the departmental advisor. In lieu of the transferred credits, students will be required to complete coursework of an equivalent number of units as assessed by the departmental advisor.