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Nishinomiya Courses – 2026 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 onsite.

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 the Japanese language placement test. This test is held prior to the start of the semester 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.

Japanese Language Courses
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
Taught in Japanese (Mandatory)

  • Japanese Language Courses (taught in Japanese)
  • Japan Studies Courses
  • Intercultural Collaborative Learning Courses
  • Other Elective 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. In order to take language courses you must complete the Japanese language placement test prior to the start of the semester. You will select your courses from electives in Japan studies, Japanese language and linguistics, and intercultural courses, and a variety of other areas of study.

Modern Japan Track courses

  • Modern Japan Seminar (mandatory - taught in English)
  • Japanese Language Courses (taught in Japanese)
  • Japan Studies Courses
  • Intercultural Collaborative Learning Courses
  • Other Elective Courses

Courses

A selection of recent course offerings include:

Japan Studies

  • Comparative Cultural Studies
  • Environment Issues in Modern Japan
  • Government and Politics in Japan
  • Intercultural Competency in Business
  • Japanese Art
  • Japanese Business
  • Japanese Cinema
  • Japanese History
  • Japanese Pop Culture
  • Japanese Psychology
  • Religious and Traditional Rites
  • Japanese Society
  • Manga: A Cultural History
  • Marketing Communication
  • Minorities in Japanese Society
  • The Chinese in Modern Japan
  • Women in Contemporary Japanese Society

Japanese Language and Linguistics

  • Japanese Dialects
  • Japanese Linguistics
  • Japanese Phonetics and Phonology
  • Japanese Usage (Levels 1-8)
  • Kanji and Vocabulary (Levels 1-7)
  • Language and Culture in Japan
  • Listening (Levels 4-8)
  • Reading (Levels 3-8)
  • Speaking (Levels 1-8)
  • Writing (Levels 2-8)

Intercultural Collaborative Learning Courses

  • Building a Sustainable Society
  • Creative Communication
  • Language Use and Language Policy in Multilingual Societies
  • Practical Communication
  • Psychological Science in the Age of Globalization
  • Workplace Diversity and Career Development
  • World Englishes

Other Elective Courses

  • Advanced Topics in Accounting
  • Basic Management
  • Business Ethics
  • Climate Justice
  • Changing Images of Women
  • Contemporary Multicultural Societies
  • Death, Dying, and Religion
  • Ecological Policy
  • International Conflicts
  • International Management
  • Introduction to Intercultural Communication
  • Microeconomics
  • Sociology of Cultures in Transition

Winter Intensive Period

Yearlong students are required to enroll in the Winter Intensive Period that takes place in January and February between the Fall and Spring terms. Available courses are limited to a Japanese Studies Seminar or an internship. Students in the Japanese Language Track also have the option to select Project Work.

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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