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Japanese Studies
Bachelor of Arts (Major subject)

https://www.youtube.com/watch/ubBUW-t3zkc
Short description

Short description

The three-year bachelor's programme in Modern Japanese Studies provides students with a sound knowledge of the Japanese language, culture, history and society (with a focus on Japanese modernity) as well as the methods and tools of Japanese Studies.

In addition, we also offer an extended study programme: the Bachelor Plus “Japanese Studies – Cultural and Social Perspectives”. A one-year, closely supervised research stay at a partner university is integrated into the course of studies, extending the degree into a four-year programme.

Combination options

For this study programme you need a minor subject

Ancient Culture (expiring degree program)
Art History
English and American Studies
German Languages and Literatures
Historical Studies
Japanese Studies
Jewish Studies
Linguistics
Musicology
Philosophy
Political Science
Romance Languages and Literatures
Sociology
Yiddish Culture, Language and Literature

Entry/Admission requirements

The entry requirement for the bachelor’s programme in Modern Japanese Studies is a university entrance qualification (“Abitur”). Under certain conditions, persons holding vocational qualifications can be admitted without a university entrance qualification. Good knowledge of the English language, in which the greater part of the non-Japanese specialized literature is written, is required.

Admission to the study programme Bachelor Plus starts in the third semester of study, in the course of applications for an exchange place at a Japanese partner university. The integrated exchange year in Japan starts in the following winter semester. Requirements are a convincing (empirical) research project  for the stay in Japan as well as the completion of the Language Modules 1 and 2 and the Module Basics in Regional Studies with an altogether average grade of at least 2,5.

Programme content

The bachelor’s programme Modern Japanese Studies includes basic knowledge of the Japanese language, history, culture and society. The unique feature of our department is its focus on Modern Japan. Once students have acquired a basic knowledge of Japan in the first semesters, they can focus on their own areas of study interest in in-depth modules.

Our department offers seminars in the fields of cultural and social science research on Japan such as gender studies, globalisation, demographic change, consumer society and popular culture. A stay in Japan of at least half a year within the Bachelor’s programme is strongly recommended. Students can either apply for an exchange place at one of our partner universities or organize a stay by themselves.

 

The Bachelor Plus is an extension of the three-year Bachelor's core programme to a four-year programme with an integrated one-year stay abroad at a Japanese university. The focus of the Bachelor Plus is on students planning and implementing their own cultural and social science research projects in Japan. During their fully accredited studies at Japanese partner universities the students prepare their project and final papers and are supervised in eLearning seminars.

Since Düsseldorf has such a large and lively local Japanese community with which we maintain good contacts and which we include in our research work and teaching, it is a popular place of study for students of Japanese Studies.

Programme structure

 

In the first year, the curriculum includes Japanese language classes and the acquisition of basic knowledge of Japanese Studies in the areas of history, culture and society.
In the second year, students expand their knowledge of the Japanese language and deepen their studies in the areas of cultural and social science research on Japan.
In the third year, the acquired knowledge is applied in projects and internships – preferably during a stay in Japan – and studies will be completed with a Bachelor’s thesis.

During the first three semesters the Bachelor Plus study schedule is identical with the regular Bachelor’s programme in Modern Japanese Studies. After a successful application in the third semester the Bachelor Plus programme and the preparation for the stay abroad start in the fourth semester. In semester five and six students will work on their own field research projects during their two-semester study abroad at a Japanese partner university. After the return from Japan, the seventh and eighth semesters proceed identically to the fifth and sixth semesters of the regular three-year bachelor’s programme Modern Japanese Studies in the major.

Programme objectives/Career prospects

The intercultural expertise gained during the studies is increasingly of interest for international organizations and business enterprises. Employment opportunities for graduates of the Bachelor’s programmes in Modern Japanese Studies can therefore be considered very positive. Depending on the subject combinations, there are good career prospects in educational institutions, organizations with a cultural focus, libraries, in the publishing sector and journalism, in the tourism sector as well as in all internationally operating companies and organizations with a relation to Japan.

There are also various employment opportunities wherever knowledge of the Japanese language is required. In this regard, Düsseldorf with its numerous Japanese companies is well suited as a location for starting a career.

Programme start:
Winter semester
Programme duration:
6 semesters
Language of instruction:
German (partially: English and Japanese)
Application procedure:
Local admission restrictions - HHU
Closing date for applications:
by 15/07/2024
Closing date for enrolment:
As stated in letter of acceptance
Closing date for re-registration:
15/01/2024 - 15/02/2024
Relevant documents:

Examination regulations

Module guide

Both available in German only.

Study programme contact:

... for prospective students:

Julia S. Zhu M.A.
Jasmin Rückert M.A.

 

... for students: 

Maren Haufs-Brusberg M.A.

Ami Kobayashi M.A.
 

Katharina Dreßen M.A.
 

Ramona Rosalewski M.A.

Institut:

 

Study programme/Department
SSC contact:

Student Services Center (SSC)
Building: 21.02 / SSC
Phone +49 211 81‐12345

 

For questions regarding the course of studies and for examination issues:

Student and Examination Administration
Contact Examination Administration

Student Services Center (SSC)

Offers for prospective students

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