Japanese Culture Courses

The Japanese Studies Program teaches courses on Japanese culture that help students to develop an understanding of Japan from differing angles. In addition to courses on Japan that are offered within the Japanese Studies Program, other departments on the MU campus also teach courses related to or focusing on Japan. Students may also enrich their study of Japan by taking language and culture courses on Japan's closest neighbors, China and Korea, which are also offered at MU.

Japanese Civilization 1 - 2310 - 3 credits
Survey of Japanese culture and arts before 1945. May be taken independently of Japanese 2320. No knowledge of Japanese required. No foreign language credit.

Japanese Civilization 2 - 2320 - 3 credits
Survey of Japanese culture and arts from 1945. May be taken independently of 2310. No knowledge of Japanese required. No foreign language credit.

The World of Japanese Business - 2330 - 3 credits
Designed to assist the student to achieve successful business contacts with Japanese counterparts by understanding the characteristics of Japanese business in cultural, economical, and practical contexts and by learning useful Japanese terms and expressions in business. Prerequisite: sophomore standing.

Classical Japanese Literature (in translation) - 3320  - 3 credits
This course studies Classical Japanese Literature preceded by a brief historical survey of Japanese literature. Analyzes such works as "Essays in Idleness" (Tsurezuregusa) by Yoshida Kenko in the 14th century and "Hojoki" by Kamona Chomei in the 13th century. Readings and lectures in English. Prerequisite: sophomore standing.

Modern Japanese Literature (in translation) - 3360  - 3 credits
Surveys Japanese literature from 1868 to present. Analyzes works by such authors as Soseki, Tanizaki, Kawabata, Mishima, Oe, Murakami, and others. Readings and lectures in English. Prerequisite: sophomore standing.

Japan and Its Cinema - 3880  - 3 credits
Survey and analysis of selected Japanese films from the 1940s to present. Films will be viewed and discussed in terms of techniques, artistry, psychology, and social impact. English dubbing or subtitles. No foreign language credit. Prerequisite: sophomore standing or instructor's consent.

Other courses offered include Problems (3085), Intermediate Readings (3370), and Topics (2001, 2005, 4005).