UB Programs At-A-Glance

Japanese

Department of Linguistics

College of Arts and Sciences
609 Baldy Hall
North Campus
Buffalo, NY 14260-1030

Phone: 716.645.2177
Fax: 716.645.3825
Web: linguistics.buffalo.edu/japanese/jpnhome

Karin Michelson
Chair

Mitsuaki Shimojo
Program Director
shimojo@buffalo.edu

About the Program

†This area of study is available as a special major through the College of Arts and Sciences. It is not a separately registered degree program. Refer to the Special Majors section (page TK or http://undergradcatalog.buffalo.edu/undergraduateeducation/academic.shtml) for more information. For information on the minor, contact the department.

Once a distant and remote land, Japan has burst into American awareness, reflecting Japan’s significant economic and political relationship with the United States. While English continues to be the primary language for international communication, the Japanese language is acquiring status as a major foreign language, particularly for those who aspire to pursue relationships with East Asia as well as Japan. The Japanese language is spoken by the entire population of Japan - about 125 million - and ranks sixth among the languages of the world in terms of the number of native speakers. It is also studied widely as a foreign language in East Asia. Contrary to a common belief that asserts the uniqueness of the Japanese language, it is a very typical human language with respect to grammatical structure.

The Japanese curriculum provides a solid foundation for an understanding and appreciation of the rich and diverse culture of Japan. The language, culture, linguistics, and pedagogy courses offered are useful to students who aspire to an East Asia–related academic or professional career in education, government, communications, or business, as well as in other fields in the United States and abroad.

The curriculum of the Japanese program includes:

Courses designed to develop or improve competence in spoken and written Japanese through the advanced level
Courses on Japanese culture
Courses on Japanese linguistics and pedagogy
Courses that examine Japanese business culture and vocabulary

About Our Degrees

The Japanese curriculum provides a solid foundation for an understanding and appreciation of the rich culture of Japan. The curriculum includes:

  • Courses designed to develop competence in written and spoken Japanese through the advanced level, utilizing an innovative team-teaching approach for the first three years as well as advanced-level independent study options for fourth-year Japanese

  • Courses on Japanese culture, linguistics (taught in English), and on the teaching of Japanese as a foreign language (taught in Japanese)


The Department of Linguistics also offers minors in Chinese and Korean. The curricula for these languages provide a solid foundation for an understanding and appreciation of the rich and diverse culture of these areas.

Acceptance Information

Minimum GPA of 2.0 in prerequisite and required courses.
Application should be made when the student has completed the prerequisite courses, or during the semester in which they will be completed.

Degree Requirements

See the Undergraduate Catalog.

About Our Courses

For course descriptions, please see the Undergraduate Catalog.

About Our Faculty

Dr. Mitsuaki Shimojo’s research centers on the function of syntax in discourse, with a focus on Japanese syntax.

Practical Experience and Special Academic Opportunities

Programs for study abroad are available for those who pursue studies in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean. Study abroad is particularly encouraged for majors and minors in these languages. For more information, see Study Abroad Programs.

Serious students are strongly encouraged to take Japan-related courses across the university curriculum, and to study in Japan for a summer or a full academic year.

Of interest to students enrolled in Japanese language courses is the Asian Studies Program, which offers a major in Asian Studies and a minor in Asian studies. For information, contact Dr. Thomas Burkman, Director, 714 Clemens Hall at (716) 645-3474 or burkman@buffalo.edu.

Extracurricular Activities

See the UB Student Association.

Complementary Programs and Courses

Many students opt to combine a minor in Chinese, Japanese, or Korean with a major in Asian studies, business administration, engineering, geography, international studies, or other humanites and social sciences.

Career Information and Further Study

The language and culture courses offered are useful to students who aspire to an East Asia–related academic or professional career in education, government, communications, business, or and other fields in the United States and abroad.

Links to Further Information About This Program


Last Modified: Tuesday, 7-Nov-2006 10:26:11 EST