Modern Language BA, Japanese Emphasis
Knowledge of Japanese will empower you to dive deep into Japan’s rich cultural heritage, which spans from “The Tale of Genji” to “Attack on Titan” and beyond. Students who choose to study Japanese at UMSL benefit from faculty who are dedicated to creating a challenging but supportive learning environment. You will engage with the language and culture in the classroom, out of the classroom through on-campus events and Japan-America Student Association involvement, and in a variety of study abroad opportunities.
General Education Requirements
Each language major must satisfy the general education requirements of the university and the general education requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences.
Specific Requirements or Restrictions
Students entering with no high school language units must enroll in Language 1001 or may enroll in Language 2115. Language 2115 (a, b, and c) is the intensive study of a language and will satisfy the foreign language requirement. 2115a, 2115b, and 2115c are co-requisites and must be taken concurrently. To satisfy the foreign language requirement all three sections must be completed with a grade of C- or better.
A grade of D in a Language 1001 course is a passing grade but not an entrance grade for a Language 1002 course. A grade of D in a Language 1002 course is a passing grade but not an entrance grade for a Language 2101 course or its equivalent. A grade of D in a Language 2101 course fulfills the language requirement but is not an entrance grade for a higher-level course.
Demonstration of a high level of proficiency may affect the number of hours required for the major. Native or heritage speakers of a language should consult with the department concerning appropriate placement and advising. Students with previous language coursework should contact the department for language placement testing and advising. Students may not take for credit an elementary course if they have already completed a higher-level course for which the elementary course, or its equivalent, is a prerequisite.
Degree Requirements
All courses for the major must be passed with a grade of C- or better. No course required for the major may be taken on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory (s/u) basis with the exception of those taken abroad as part of a university program that has received departmental approval.
Bachelor of Arts
All students seeking a B.A. in a Modern Language must successfully complete FGN LANG 2100 Languages and World View and FGN LANG 2294, Foreign Language Careers for the Global Market, and must meet the departmental requirement of a minimum of 33 hours in French or 39 hours in Japanese or 35 hours in Spanish or 30-33 hours in the Dual Language Professional Emphasis (excluding Language 1001 and 1002). The maximum number of hours that may be taken in the major is 45 (including Language 1001 and 1002). In addition, students seeking the B.A. in Modern Language who desire a teaching certificate should consult the College of Education’s advising office for additional coursework and other professional secondary education requirements.
Transfer Students
Transfer students majoring in one of the modern languages must complete at UMSL a minimum of 12 graded hours in language courses at the 3000 level or above with a grade point average of 2.0 or better in those courses.
Heritage Speakers
For departmental purposes, heritage speakers are defined as individuals who have been raised in a family or social environment in which the target language is habitually used for day-to-day communication but have not completed their secondary schooling in the target language.
Students will take a nationally-normed proficiency test (STAMP or equivalent) to determine placement:
Students who receive a score at or above the Intermediate High level of proficiency in speaking, and listening, and at or above the Intermediate Mid level of proficiency in reading and writing will be eligible to pursue the requirements of the Modern Language Major at the 3xxx and 4xxx levels. Total number of credits: 28 in Spanish or French, and 30 in Japanese including FGN LANG 2100 and FGN LANG 2294. Students completing the Japanese emphasis may include coursework in English at the 1000-level or 2000-level for the 6 elective credits in the emphasis area.
Students who receive a score below Intermediate Mid in any skill must meet with an advisor to determine proper placement.
Native Speakers
For departmental purposes, native speakers are defined as individuals who completed their secondary education or above in the target language. Students will submit an official transcript to the University.
For emphasis areas in French, Japanese and Spanish:
Native speakers will complete 3 classes at the 4xxx-level and at least 3 classes at the 3xxx or above. AND, FGN LANG 2100 (3) and FGN LANG 2294 (1). Total numbers of credits: 22 credits total, including FGN LANG 2100 and FGN LANG 2294.
For Dual Language Professional emphasis area:
Please see a content-area advisor for more information.
Native speakers will complete 3 classes at the 4xxx-level and at least 3 classes at the 3xxx or above, and, FGN LANG 2100 (3) and FGN LANG 2294 (1). Total numbers of credits: 22 credits total, including FGN LANG 2100 and FGN LANG 2294.
Specific Requirements for the Emphasis in Japanese
| Each major with an emphasis in Japanese must complete the following courses: | ||
| JAPAN 2101 | Intermediate Japanese I | 5 |
| JAPAN 2102 | Intermediate Japanese II | 5 |
| JAPAN 2170 | Kanji: A Radical Approach | 3 |
| JAPAN 3201 | Intermediate Japanese III | 4 |
| JAPAN 3202 | Intermediate Japanese IV | 4 |
| JAPAN 3280 | Readings in Japanese | 3 |
| JAPAN 4301 | Advanced Japanese I | 3 |
| JAPAN 4302 | Advanced Japanese II | 3 |
| JAPAN 4380 | Advanced Readings in Japanese | 3 |
| Select 6 hours from the following: 1 | 6 | |
| Maiko, Maids, and Masako: Women in Japanese Cultural History | ||
| Ghosts, Goblins, and Godzillas | ||
| Food and Drink in Japan: A Cultural History | ||
| Visual and Material Culture of Japan | ||
| Practicum in East Asian Calligraphy | ||
| Anime Nation: Popular Culture in Japan | ||
| Special Topics: Language Immersion: Japanese | ||
| The World of Anime - Advanced Topics in Japanese Animation | ||
| Classical Japanese Literature in Translation | ||
| Special Topics in Japanese Culture | ||
JAPAN 3210 | ||
| Topics in Japanese Culture | ||
| Total Hours | 39 | |
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Only three hours may be taken at the 1000 level.
Career Outlook
Career options for graduates with a major or minor in modern languages include the following fields: teaching, social work, nursing, engineering, business, communications, government, journalism, travel industry, translation, and research. Our graduates have been especially successful when they combine advanced study in a modern language with another major. They are then able to add proficiency in a foreign language and culture to their knowledge and skills in another specialty. Experience with world cultures makes our graduates more adaptable and better prepared to meet the challenges of a global and increasingly diverse job market.
Learning Outcomes
Graduates with a BA in Modern Languages (Japanese) from the University of Missouri-St. Louis possess the necessary linguistic and cultural competencies to interact with native speakers in culturally appropriate ways. They are able to use the target language in a variety of academic, social, and professional situations and have a rich understanding of the culture that has been fostered through engaging courses and opportunities such as study abroad, service learning, and internships. Recognizing the interconnection between languages and world views, they can critically explore their own assumptions, value alternative perspectives, and act with cultural sensitivity. They are empowered with the tools to meet the challenges of a globalized world and continue developing their skills as lifelong learners.
Skills and Knowledge Areas
Upon completion of the Japanese major, students should be able to:
Linguistic and Critical Thinking Goals
- In listening/speaking:
- demonstrate comprehension of the main ideas and supporting details of everyday conversations on familiar and concrete topics, both formal and informal;
- discuss topics related to work, school, home, leisure activities, culture, and media;
- narrate short anecdotes using Japanese conversational conventions;
- summarize research in oral presentations; and,
- function in real-world situations in culturally-appropriate ways.
- In reading/writing:
- identify the main idea, supporting details, argumentative structure, and perspective in authentic texts of various genres;
- apply reading strategies to glean key information from more challenging texts;
- summarize and analyze content, and begin to express supported opinions;
- assess language reference resources and use them effectively; and,
- conduct independent research and present findings.
Cultural and Global Awareness Goals
- recognize and describe some of the key historical, social, economic, and political forces that shape Japanese society;
- analyze and critique products of Japanese culture (film, media, literature, art, etc.) in their socio-historical contexts;
- compare and contrast their own cultural beliefs, behaviors, and norms with those of other cultures;
- describe how language and culture impact one’s world view; and,
- explain the skills acquired through language study and their benefits to a potential employer.
The linguistic program goals are based on the National Standards For Foreign Language Learning and the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines. Graduates are expected to reach the Intermediate-High level proficiency at a minimum. For detailed descriptions of sublevels, see the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines.
Sample Four Year Plan
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| INTDSC 10031 | 1 | JAPAN 1002 | 5 |
| ENGL 1100 | 3 | CORE - Communication Proficiency | 3 |
| JAPAN 1001 | 5 | CORE - US History and Government | 3 |
| MATH 1020 | 3 | EXPLORE - Mathematics and Life/Natural Sciences | 3 |
| EXPLORE - Social Sciences | 3 | ||
| 15 | 14 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| JAPAN 2101 | 5 | JAPAN 2102 | 5 |
| FGN LANG 2100 | 3 | JAPAN 2170 | 3 |
| CORE - Information Lteracy | 3 | EXPLORE - Social Sciences | 3 |
| EXPLORE - Social Sciences | 3 | EXPLORE - Mathematics and Life/Natural Sciences | 3 |
| 14 | 14 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| JAPAN 3201 | 4 | JAPAN 3202 | 4 |
| ENGL 3100 | 3 | JAPAN 3280 | 3 |
| JAPAN XXXX: Japanese Studies Elective | 3 | JAPAN XXXX: Japanese Studies Elective | 3 |
| EXPLORE - Mathematics and Life/Natural Sciences | 3 | Elective or minor | 3 |
| Elective or minor | 3 | Elective or minor | 3 |
| 16 | 16 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| JAPAN 4301 | 3 | JAPAN 4302 | 3 |
| Elective or minor | 3 | JAPAN 4390 | 3 |
| Elective or minor | 3 | Elective or minor | 3 |
| Elective or minor | 3 | Elective or minor | 3 |
| Elective or minor | 3 | Elective or minor | 4 |
| 15 | 16 | ||
| Total Hours: 120 | |||
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INTDSC 1003 is required only for first-time freshmen and transfer students with less than 24 college credits.
Please Note: This plan is an example of what a four year plan could look like for a typical student. Placement exam scores in math as well as the completion of coursework may change the plan. It should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor each semester. All requirements are subject to change.
Teacher Certification
B.S. Ed. in Secondary Education with Emphasis in a Foreign Language
The B.S. Ed. is a professional education degree designed for students who wish to pursue a teaching career in secondary schools. Much of the discipline-specific coursework parallels the B.A. degree in the language; however, the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) requires specific coursework for teacher certification. Therefore, students interested in the B.S. Ed. should contact the advising office (OASIS) 314-516-5937 in the College of Education for discipline-specific requirements. Note: To obtain teaching certification, DESE requires a 3.0 GPA in the discipline and professional education coursework, as well as a 2.75 GPA overall.
B.A. in a Foreign Language with Master’s Level Coursework for Secondary Teacher Certification
In addition to the B.S. Ed., students may opt to complete a B.A. or B.S. degree in their discipline as an undergraduate, followed by admission to the Graduate School for Master’s level teaching certification. The College of Education has a one-year accelerated program for post-graduate certification called Teach in 12, or students can choose a traditional path to certification. Graduate coursework for certification can apply towards a Master’s Degree in Secondary Education, with additional coursework. Students interested in Master’s Level teacher certification should contact the advising office (OASIS) 314-516-5937 in the College of Education. Note: To obtain teaching certification, DESE requires a 3.0 GPA in the discipline and professional education coursework, as well as a 2.75 GPA overall.