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Nishinomiya Courses – 2024 Spring

If you have questions about the academics or courses available on this program, locate the Program Advisor to email them your questions directly.

Studying abroad can be a more meaningful and invigorating learning experience than at home—both inside and outside of the classroom. You may be more curious and alert than you usually are so use this heightened energy to enhance your studies as well as your cultural and geographical explorations. You may also encounter different teaching styles and course processes; be prepared to adapt and to learn.

Academics

USAC’s partnership with Kwansei Gakuin University (KGU) provides you with the opportunity to immerse yourself in the study of Japanese language, culture, business, and society. You will enroll in 12-18 U.S. credits per semester. Courses are subject to availability and approval of prerequisites, which are determined by KGU. The regular Japanese academic calendar runs from April through December. Yearlong students wishing to study at KGU for a fall semester followed by the spring are also required to enroll in the Winter Intensive Period. You will choose your courses from one of two study tracks at KGU: the Japanese Language Track or the Modern Japan Track. Students are not allowed to change tracks once on-site.

Areas of Study at Kwansei Gakuin University (subject to change):

Japanese Language Track (JLT)

This track focuses on language study in an intensive environment. Students are required to be able to read, write, understand, and pronounce the Hiragana and Katakana phonetic scripts before they arrive. A Japanese language placement test will be held during the onsite orientation in order to determine which language level you will take. Those that do not pass this test will be automatically placed in the Modern Japan Track. Students enrolled in this track may also sign up for a Nihongo Partner, a local Japanese student that will help you practice your language skills throughout the semester.

Students in the Japanese Language Track (JLT) will focus on intensive language study and advance one language level per term; three levels total per year. Each semester, you will select one to three Japanese Language courses and two to three electives. Yearlong JLT students are also required to enroll in an intensive Japanese language course during the Winter Intensive program in January.

Japanese Language Courses - 6 credits
Taught in Japanese (Mandatory)

  • Intensive Japanese (Levels 1-7)
  • Speaking and Listening (Levels 4-5)
  • Research and Report (Levels 6-7)
  • Academic Japanese (Level 8)

Elective Courses - 6 to 12 credits
Taught in Japanese (Mandatory)

  • Japanese Language Courses (taught in Japanese)
  • Japan Studies Courses
  • School of International Studies Courses

Modern Japan Track (MJT)

This track will focus on aspects of modern Japanese culture and language. Language study is not required but is highly encouraged to better prepare you for life in Japan and the cross-cultural experience. No prior knowledge of grammar or vocabulary is required. Students who do not pass the placement test will automatically be moved to the Modern Japan Track.

You will select your courses from electives in Japan studies, Japanese language and linguistics, and China and Korea Studies. Yearlong students typically will undertake an independent study project during the required Winter Intensive Program in January.

Modern Japan Track courses - 12-18 credits

  • Modern Japan Seminar (mandatory - taught in English)
  • Japanese Language Courses (taught in Japanese)
  • Japan Studies Courses
  • School of International Studies Courses

Courses

Recent course offerings include:

Japan Studies

  • Comparative Cultural Studies
  • Environmental Issues in Modern Japan
  • Film and Historical Memory in Contemporary Japan and China
  • Geography of Japan
  • Government and Politics in Japan
  • Japanese Art
  • Japanese Business
  • Japanese Cinema
  • Japanese History
  • Japanese Pop Culture
  • Japanese Psychology
  • Japanese Religious and Traditional Rites
  • Japanese Society
  • Manga: A Cultural History
  • Minorities in Japanese Society
  • Political Economy of Japan
  • The Chinese in Modern Japan

Japanese Language and Linguistics

  • Academic Japanese
  • Japanese Dialects
  • Japanese Linguistics
  • Japanese Phonetics and Phonology
  • Japanese Usage
  • Kanji and Vocabulary (Levels 1-7)
  • Language and Culture in Japan

School of International Studies

  • Business Ethics
  • Changing Images of Women
  • Cultures in the USA
  • Innovation and Entrepreneurship
  • International Security
  • Introduction to Applied Linguistics
  • Introduction to Linguistics
  • Japanese Economy
  • Japanese Religion
  • Management in Japan
  • Media Culture in North America
  • Pre-war Japanese Diplomatic History

WINTER INTENSIVE PERIOD

Yearlong students are required to enroll in the Winter Intensive Period that takes place in February and March between the Fall and Spring terms. Students in the Japanese Language Track will take an intensive Japanese language or elective course, while those in the Modern Japan Track will choose from a range of elective courses during this period.

Course Descriptions

To obtain course information and syllabi, click on the link(s) below and follow the link for the CJP Brochure. Please contact the USAC Advising department if you have difficulty finding the information.

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