BA in Japanese Language

• Candidates must have qualified 10+2 or equivalent from any stream from recognized board.
• Candidates having an aggregate of 50% or more at the qualifying exam level are eligible for the BA in chosen Language program.

3 years

1. Language Mastery: Intensive training in reading, writing, speaking, and listening to Japanese to achieve fluency and proficiency.
2. Cultural Insight: In-depth exploration of Japanese culture, literature, history, and societal contexts to foster cultural understanding.
3. Linguistics and Translation: Focus on Japanese linguistics and translation skills to prepare students for bilingual communication.
4. Practical Experience: Opportunities for internships, study abroad programs, and cultural exchanges to apply language skills in real-world contexts.

1. Proficiency in Japanese: Graduates will achieve advanced fluency in reading, writing, speaking, and understanding Japanese.
2. Cultural Competence: Students will develop a deep understanding of Japanese culture, literature, and history, enabling effective engagement with Japanese-speaking communities.
3. Translation and Interpretation Skills: Graduates will be equipped with the skills to translate and interpret Japanese texts and conversations accurately.
4. Career Readiness: Students will be prepared for careers in translation, international business, tourism, education, and further studies in Japanese or related fields.

The BA in Japanese Language offers a comprehensive curriculum that combines linguistic proficiency with cultural and historical knowledge of Japan. Students will develop advanced Japanese language skills while exploring the rich traditions, literature, and modern influences of Japanese-speaking societies. The program also includes practical training in translation and cross-cultural communication, preparing graduates for diverse career opportunities or further academic study. Graduates will be well-equipped to work in fields requiring Japanese language expertise, including translation, business, education, and more.

1. Comprehensive Language Training: Intensive focus on reading, writing, speaking, and listening to Japanese to achieve language fluency.
2. Cultural Exploration: Detailed study of Japanese history, culture, and literature to deepen students’ understanding of the language in context.
3. Global Learning Opportunities: Study abroad programs and internships that offer real-world language immersion and cultural exposure.
4. Career Preparation: Resources and support for students to explore career paths in translation, tourism, international business, and education.

Year 1: Foundations in Japanese Language and Culture

Semester 1

1. Basic Japanese Language Skills
   • Japanese scripts: Hiragana and Katakana.
   • Basic vocabulary and simple sentence structures for everyday conversation.
2. Japanese Grammar I
   • Introduction to particles, simple verb forms, and sentence formation.
   • Basic grammar structures and conversational phrases.
3. Reading and Comprehension I
   • Reading simple texts and dialogues.
   • Vocabulary-building exercises and comprehension practice.
4. Japanese Speaking and Listening I
   • Basic conversational skills, greetings, and self-introductions.
   • Listening to simple Japanese phrases and responding appropriately.
5. Introduction to Japanese Culture
   • Overview of Japanese cultural symbols, festivals, and geography.
   • Introduction to Japanese traditions and societal values.
6. Introduction to Japanese Literature
   • Study of Japanese folk tales and legends.
   • Simple analysis of stories and themes.

Semester 2

1. Elementary Japanese Language Skills
   • Expanding vocabulary (family, food, weather).
   • Basic conversational dialogues for daily situations.
2. Japanese Grammar II
   • Introduction to formal and informal speech, basic adjectives.
   • Verb conjugation in past and future forms, simple sentence patterns.
3. Reading and Comprehension II
   • Reading short passages and simple narratives.
   • Exercises in understanding key ideas and vocabulary.
4. Japanese Speaking and Listening II
   • Practice in everyday conversation settings, polite expressions.
   • Listening to daily dialogues, responding to questions.
5. History and Civilization of Japan
   • Overview of Japan’s history and major historical periods.
   • Key historical figures and their impact on Japanese society.
6. Introduction to Japanese Poetry
   • Study of Haiku and Tanka poetry forms.
   • Introduction to basic themes, structure, and cultural significance.

Year 2: Intermediate Language Skills and Cultural Studies

Semester 3

1. Intermediate Japanese Language Skills
   • Introduction to Kanji characters and expanding vocabulary.
   • Writing practice: short essays, letters, and dialogues.
2. Japanese Grammar III
   • Complex grammar structures, relative clauses.
   • Introduction to formal expressions and conditional sentences.
3. Japanese Literature I: Classical Literature
   • Study of classical texts like The Tale of Genji and The Pillow Book.
   • Overview of Heian period literature and cultural themes.
4. Translation Techniques I
   • Basic translation exercises between Japanese and English.
   • Focus on sentence structure, idioms, and cultural context.
5. Introduction to Japanese Cinema
   • Study of notable Japanese films and cultural themes.
   • Analysis of characters, narratives, and traditional influences.
6. History of the Japanese Language
   • Evolution of the Japanese language and writing system.
   • Introduction to dialects and linguistic variations across Japan.

Semester 4

1. Japanese Composition and Essay Writing
   • Writing essays on familiar topics, paragraph structure.
   • Developing logical flow and clarity in writing.
2. Japanese Grammar IV
   • Advanced grammar, including passive voice and complex sentence forms.
   • Subjunctive, causative, and advanced verb conjugations.
3. Japanese Literature II: Edo Period Literature
   • Study of literature from the Edo period, including kabuki and ukiyo-e.
   • Discussion of themes like honor, society, and cultural practices.
4. Translation Techniques II
   • Advanced translation with more complex texts.
   • Practicing cultural nuance, idiomatic expressions.
5. Contemporary Japanese Society
   • Understanding modern Japanese society, politics, and social issues.
   • Topics on Japanese economic development, technology, and pop culture.
6. Japanese Media and Popular Culture
   • Study of Japanese newspapers, magazines, and popular media.
   • Summarizing articles and discussing trends in Japanese society.

Year 3: Advanced Language, Literature, and Linguistics

Semester 5

1. Advanced Japanese Writing Skills
   • Writing research-based essays, reports, and formal correspondence.
   • Developing formal tone and style in academic writing.
2. Japanese Grammar V
   • Mastery of advanced grammatical structures and expressions.
   • Complex sentence construction and honorific language.
3. Japanese Literature III: 20th-Century Literature
   • Study of authors like Natsume Sōseki, Yukio Mishima, and Haruki Murakami.
   • Analysis of modern themes such as identity, existentialism, and post-war Japan.
4. Introduction to Japanese Linguistics
   • Basics of Japanese phonetics, morphology, syntax, and semantics.
   • Study of linguistic theory, phonology, and pronunciation techniques.
5. Research Methodology
   • Research methods for Japanese language, culture, and literary studies.
   • How to conduct research and write academic papers in Japanese.
6. Japanese Cultural Studies
   • Study of Japanese art, music, architecture, and traditional practices.
   • Examination of cultural values and their influence on Japanese society.

Semester 6

1. Academic Japanese and Technical Writing
   • Writing research papers, abstracts, and technical documents.
   • Use of formal Japanese and specialized vocabulary.
2. Contemporary Japanese Literature
   • Study of post-20th-century Japanese literature.
   • Exploration of contemporary themes and social issues in literature.
3. Research Project / Dissertation
   • Independent research project on a topic in Japanese studies.
   • Written report and oral presentation of findings.
4. Advanced Translation and Interpretation
   • Translating complex texts, introduction to interpretation skills.
   • Practice interpreting dialogues, speeches, and professional documents.
5. Japanese for Specific Purposes
   • Japanese language for business, tourism, and other professional fields.
   • Industry-specific vocabulary and professional language skills.
6. Internship / Practical Training
   • Internship in a related field (embassy, cultural organization, language institute).
   • Application of Japanese language skills in real-world settings.

 

Internships for a BA in Japanese Language give students valuable experience in bilingual communication, translation, and cultural immersion. These internships often include roles in translation companies, international organizations, media outlets, and cultural institutions. Students may also work in the tourism sector, assisting Japanese-speaking visitors with customer service and guided tours. Study abroad opportunities or internships in Japan further enhance language proficiency and cultural understanding, preparing students for diverse global career paths.