College of Arts & Sciences

Need more info?

Dr. Linda Dolive is the faculty contact for this minor. Her phone number is 859-572-6593. 

Japanese Studies

The interdisciplinary minor in Japanese studies gives students a detailed examination of various aspects of the Japanese people and their activities. 

Selected from several disciplines, the program provides a broad appreciation of a nation and culture of great and growing significance in world affairs. We also offer courses for students seeking teaching certification in Japanese.

Interdisciplinary minor


To complete the interdisciplinary minor, students must earn a total of 26 semester hours selected from the following courses:

  • ANT 385 - Peoples of East and Southeast Asia
  • ARTH 104 - Survey of Asian Art
  • ARTH 359 - Arts and Crafts of Japan
  • ENG 216 - Studies in Non-Western Literature (Japanese option)
  • JPN 101 - Elementary Japanese I
  • JPN 102 - Elementary Japanese II
  • JPN 201 - Intermediate Japanese I
  • JPN 202 - Intermediate Japanese II
  • JPN 280 - Intermediate Individualized Instruction in Japanese
  • JPN 350 - Methods of Teaching Japanese
  • JPN 380 - Topics in Advanced Japanese
  • GEO 410 - Geography of Asia
  • HIS 331 - History of Japan
  • PHI 250 - Eastern Philosophy
  • PSC 394 - Topics: International Politics (Japanese Topic)
  • PSC 394 - Topics: Comparative Politics (Japanese Topic)
  • REL 201 - Ideas in Religious Studies (Japanese Topic)
  • REL 250 - World Religions and Ethics
  • POP 394 - Japanese Popular Culture

Teaching certification

Students seeking teaching certification in Japanese must complete the following courses in addition to fulfilling all general education and education degree requirements:

  • JPN 201 - Intermediate Japanese I
  • JPN 202 - Intermediate Japanese II
  • JPN 350 - Methods of Teaching Japanese
  • JPN 380 - 15 hours of Japanese topics courses, including one linguistics topic

Students must also complete two of the following interdisciplinary electives:

  • ARTH 104 - Survey of Asian Art
  • ENG 216 - Studies in Non-Western Literature (Japanese option)
  • GEO 410 - Geography of Asia
  • HIS 331 - History of Japan 
  • PHI 250 - Eastern Philosophy
  • PSC 394 - Comparative Politics (Japanese topic)
  • PSC 394 - International Politics (Japanese topic)
  • POP 345 - Japanese Popular Culture