JAPN: B.A. in Japanese

Majors in the Japanese Program at the University of Maryland combine thorough training in Japanese language with the study of the literature, linguistics, and culture of Japan. By completing a major in Japanese, students are prepared for a range of opportunities, including graduate studies, or careers in government, education, the arts, business, and communication. Many majors choose to double major in Japanese and another major, including business, computer science, engineering, journalism, and linguistics.

To earn a B.A. in Japanese, students are required to complete all CORE, College of Arts and Humanities, and Japanese (in Asian and East European Languages and Cultures in the School of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures). requirements. The College of Arts and Humanities has a dual advising system which means that you need to meet regularly with an advisor in the Office of Student Affairs (ARHU advisor) regarding your CORE and ARHU College requirements and with your departmental advisor for your major requirements. For more information about individual courses listed in the plan, you can consult the Course Catalog.

Please note: These sample templates presume that a student is full time and entered the major during the freshman year. All part-time students and students who have changed their major into the college, should consult with their advisors to determine how to develop an individualized plan.

For college advising, please contact: Office of Student Affairs
1120 Francis Scott Key Hall
301-405-2108

For departmental advising, please contact: Japanese (in Asian and East European Languages and Cultures in the School of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures).
Advisor: S. Robert Ramsey - ramsey@umd.edu
Phone: 301-405-4256
Office: 2106G Jimenez Hall MW 1:30-2:30

What can I do with my major?

Download an editable (RTF) or plain text version of this plan.

You should also download and print the ARHU Advising Worksheet (MS Word format) before meeting with your advisor.

Year 1

Semester 1

CORE/ARHU Requirements and Electives
Major Requirements
  • CORE (e.g. HL, HA, HO)
  • ENGL 101 (A/H/U/S or X)
  • UNIV 100 or 101
  • Elective (1xx-4xx)
  • JAPN101

Semester 2

CORE/ARHU Requirements and Electives
Major Requirements
  • CORE (e.g. LAB – LL or PL)
  • MATH 110/111/113/115/140/220/STAT 100
  • JAPN102
  • HIST284 or 285 (also CORE SH)
First year benchmark (or 30 credits):
  • CORE: Fundamental English and Math requirements
  • MAJOR: JAPN 102

Year 2

Semester 3

CORE/ARHU Requirements and Electives
Major Requirements
  • CORE (e.g. Non Lab – LS/PS/MS)
  • CORE (e.g. HL, HA, HO)
  • CORE (e.g. SB)
  • JAPN201

Semester 4

CORE/ARHU Requirements and Electives
Major Requirements
  • CORE non lab (e.g. / LS/PS)
  • CORE (e.g. HL, HA, HO /Diversity)
  • CORE (e.g. SB/ Diversity)
  • JAPN202
Second year benchmark (or 60 credits):
  • CORE: 7 of 9 Distributive Studies courses;
  • ARHU: At least 50% of the foreign language sequence completed.
  • MAJOR: JAPN202

Year 3

Semester 5

CORE/ARHU Requirements and Electives
Major Requirements
  • CORE Advanced Studies (#1)
  • Elective (1xx-4xx)
  • JAPN301
  • HIST482 or 483

Semester 6

CORE/ARHU Requirements and Electives
Major Requirements
  • Professional Writing (ENGL 391/392/393/394/395)
  • Elective (1xx-4xx)
  • JAPN302
  • JAPN 3xx–4xx
Third year benchmark (or 90 credits):
  • CORE: Distributive Studies Completed.
  • ARHU: Intermediate level language requirement, 24 of the required 45 upper level credits (~50%). (Upper level courses needed to fulfill major requirements as well as upper level CORE requirements are included in the 45 upper level requirement).
  • MAJOR: JAPN302

Year 4

Semester 7

CORE/ARHU Requirements and Electives
Major Requirements
  • CORE Advanced Studies (#2)
  • Elective (3xx-4xx)
  • JAPN 3xx-4xx (linguistics)
  • JAPN 3xx-4xx (elective)

Semester 8

CORE/ARHU Requirements and Electives
Major Requirements
  • Elective (3xx-4xx)
  • Elective (3xx-4xx)
  • Elective (1xx-4xx)
  • JAPN 3xx-4xx (language)
  • JAPN 3xx-4xx (elective)