Foreign Languages and Literatures
The Japanese specialization in foreign languages and literatures develops proficiency in the Japanese language and acquaints students with the literature and cultural history of Japan. Courses are also available for those interested in business Japanese, classical Japanese, film, and women's studies.
To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college, and major requirements.
Critical TrackingModel Semester Plan
Overview
The B.A. in Foreign Languages and Literatures (FLL) provides students with a comprehensive knowledge of a specific language (or languages) and advanced familiarity with the cultural practices and traditions associated with the language(s) of specialization. The major in FLL enhances critical thinking and communication skills and provides students with a cross-cultural understanding of our contemporary world. The program allows students the flexibility to explore a single or dual language specialization as well as the opportunity to study culture through interdisciplinary fields of critical concentration, such as Comparative Cultural Studies, Film and Visual Culture, Intensive Area Studies, Literary Studies, and Medieval and Early Modern Studies. A major in FLL offers an excellent basis for a variety of careers, including graduate study in an area of foreign language and culture and/or in the humanities and social sciences, as well as careers in education, international development, diplomacy and government, national security, communications, law, journalism, arts and culture, publishing, and global business. Participation in UF study-abroad programs or a UF approved program is highly encouraged.
Foreign Languages and Literatures Options
The Japanese specialization of the Foreign Languages and Literatures major provides a foundation for graduate-level work in East Asian studies or allied fields (anthropology, art history, history, linguistics, political science, and religion). The specialization is excellent general preparation for entry to professional schools (business, journalism, law, and medicine) or careers in foreign service, commerce, diplomacy, translation, business, import and export of information and culture, museums, libraries, and tourism.
Coursework for the Major
The Japanese specialization in Foreign Languages and Literatures consists of preparatory language study at the lower division (1000 and 2000 level), and 33 hours of advanced language, theory, and culture study in the upper division (3000 level and above).
All coursework for the major must be completed with minimum grades of C.
Required Foundation Coursework: 23 credits
- JPN 1130 Beginning Japanese 1, 5 credits
- JPN 1131 Beginning Japanese 2, 5 credits
- JPN 2230 Intermediate Japanese 1, 5 credits
- JPN 2231 Intermediate Japanese 2, 5 credits
- LIN 3010 Introduction to Linguistics, 3 credits
Required Core Coursework: 33 credits
Advanced Language and Culture: 9 credits
- JPN 3410 Advanced Japanese 1, 3 credits
- JPN 3411 Advanced Japanese 2, 3 credits
- JPT 3500 Introduction to Japanese Culture, 3 credits
Advanced Elective Coursework: 15 credits with at least six credits at the 4000-level and at least one course with a JPW prefix
- JPN 3440 Business Japanese, 3 credits
- JPN 3730 Language in Japanese Society, 3 credits
- JPN 4415 Japanese Translation: Theory and Practice, 3 credits
- JPN 4850 Structure of Japanese, 3 credits
- JPN 4905 Individual Work, 3 credits max.
- JPN 4930 Special Topics, 3 credits
- JPN 4935 Senior Honors Thesis, 3 credits
- JPT 3100 Tales of Kyoto, 3 credits
- JPT 3120 Modern Japanese Fiction in Translation, 3 credits
- JPT 3121 Contemporary Japanese Literature: Postwar to Postmodern, 3 credits
- JPT 3150 Classical Japanese Poetry, 3 credits
- JPT 3300 Samurai War Tales, 3 credits
- JPT 3391 Introduction to Japanese Film, 4 credits
- JPT 4130 Tale of Genji, 3 credits
- JPT 4502 Japanese Folklore, 3 credits
- JPW 3143 Classical Japanese 1, 3 credits
- JPW 3144 Classical Japanese 2, 3 credits
- JPW 4130 Readings in Japanese Literature, 3 credits
- JPW 4131 Japanese Texts and Contexts, 3 credits
Critical Concentration: 9 credits from one concentration
Although courses may appear in more than one group they may be counted toward only one group
Recommended for those planning to pursue careers requiring advanced level skills in Japanese or graduate work in Japanese studies
All languages offered through this department may fulfill college language requirements. Students pursuing the Japanese specialization in Foreign Languages and Literatures are not allowed to minor in Asian studies (either option 1 or 2).
Transfer Students interested in Majoring in Japanese
If a student's current institution does not offer Japanese and the student has no previous knowledge of Japanese, it's recommended that he or she take the following Summer Intensive Beginning Japanese program:
Summer A: JPN 1130 Beginning Japanese 1 (5 credits). A minimum grade C is required to advance to the next level course.
Summer B: JPN 1131 Beginning Japanese 2 (5 credits).
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Overseas Study
Two year-long study abroad programs are available in Japan. The Asian Studies Program at Kansai Gaidai University in Osaka, Japan is specifically designed for international students for an academic year program of study abroad. The program offers courses in Japanese language (all levels) and area studies focusing on Japan and its international role. Another academic year study abroad program at Aoyama Gakuin, Tokyo, offers students the challenge of taking courses in the target language, thus it is limited to those who have completed three years of language study at UF, or the equivalent.
There is a one or two semester study abroad program at Shimane University in Matsue, Japan. This program focuses on Japanese language, culture, history and environment, and is limited to students who have completed three years of language study at UF, or the equivalent. There is a one or two semester study abroad program at Nagoya University in Nagoya. This program is open to students with no previous study of Japanese language, and is ideal for students from a variety of majors including the STEM majors as it offers a broad-based English-language curriculum in international studies, biological and physical sciences, and engineering, in addition to courses in Japan studies.
Maximum credit earned abroad for lecture courses is limited to twelve, and applies to group B or D of the major. JPT 3500 Japanese Culture must be taken at UF. No substitution is allowed for JPT 3500.
Placement
Students with previous training in Japanese, as well as those with heritage background in these languages, should consult the undergraduate coordinator or the language coordinator of the Japanese specialization before enrolling in any JPN or JPW course. Placement tests are given at the start of each semester; refer to the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures for location and times.
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Critical Tracking
Critical Tracking records each student’s progress in courses that are required for entry to each major. Please note the critical-tracking requirements below on a per-semester basis.
For degree requirements outside of the major, refer to CLAS Degree Requirements: Structure of a CLAS Degree.
Equivalent critical-tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students.
Semester 1
Semester 2
Semester 3
- Complete JPN 1130 or higher level language course with a minimum grade of C
- 2.0 UF GPA required
Semester 4
- Complete JPN 1131 or higher level with a minimum grade of C and 2.5 critical-tracking GPA
- 2.0 UF GPA required
Semester 5
- Complete JPN 2230 or higher level language course with a minimum grade of C and 2.5 critical-tracking GPA
- 2.0 UF GPA required
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Model Semester Plan
Actual courses may be different depending on language preparation and availability of courses. In particular, beginning language is best started semester 1 and no later than semester 3, but study abroad or accredited intensive summer courses can be used to catch up.
Students are expected to complete the writing requirement while in the process of taking the courses below. Students are also expected to complete the general education international (GE-N) and diversity (GE-D) requirements concurrently with another general education requirement (typically, GE-C, H or S). Several courses in this major count for GE-H and N or GE-S and N requirements.
To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold. These courses must be completed by the terms as listed above in the Critical Tracking criteria.
This semester plan represents an example progression through the major. Actual courses and course order may be different depending on the student's academic record and scheduling availability of courses. Prerequisites still apply.
| Semester 2 |
Credits |
|---|
IUF 1000 What is the Good Life
GE-H |
3 |
| JPN 1131 Beginning Japanese |
5 |
Biological or Physical Science
Area not taken in semester 1, GE-B or P |
3 |
Mathematics
State Core GE-M |
3 |
Science laboratory
GE-P or B |
1 |
| Total |
15 |
| Semester 3 |
Credits |
|---|
| JPN 2230 Intermediate Japanese 1 |
5 |
Humanities
State Core GE-H |
3 |
Mathematics
GE-M |
3 |
Physical Science
GE-P |
3 |
Social and Behavioral Sciences
GE-S |
3 |
| Total |
17 |
| Semester 4 |
Credits |
|---|
| JPN 2231 Intermediate Japanese 2 |
5 |
JPT 3500 Japanese Culture
GE-H and N |
3 |
Social and Behavioral Sciences
GE-S and D |
3 |
Advanced elective
3000 level or above; in the major |
3 |
Elective
3000 level or above; not in major |
3 |
| Total |
17 |
| Semester 5 |
Credits |
|---|
| JPN 3410 Advanced Japanese 1 |
3 |
| LIN 3010 Introduction to Linguistics |
3 |
Biological Science
GE-B |
3 |
Composition
GE-C; WR |
3 |
Advanced elective
3000 level or above; in the major |
3 |
| Total |
15 |
| Semester 6 |
Credits |
|---|
| JPN 3411 Advanced Japanese 2 |
3 |
| Critical Concentration course |
3 |
Advanced elective
3000 level or above; in the major |
3 |
Elective
3000 level or above; not in major |
3 |
| Elective |
3 |
| Total |
15 |
| Semester 7 |
Credits |
|---|
| Critical Concentration course |
3 |
Advanced elective
4000 level or above; in the major |
3 |
Electives
3000 level or above; not in major |
6 |
Elective or
Senior thesis option |
3 |
| Total |
15 |
| Semester 8 |
Credits |
|---|
| Critical Concentration course |
3 |
Advanced elective
4000 level or above; in the major |
3 |
Electives
3000 level or above; not in major |
6 |
| Total |
12 |
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Critical Concentration Courses: 9 credits from one concentration
Although courses may appear in more than one group they may be counted toward only one group
| Course |
Credits |
|---|
Intensive Area Studies: Chinese
Recommended for those planning to pursue careers requiring advanced level skills in Japanese or graduate work in Japanese studies
Option 1: China |
| CHI 3403 Chinese Calligraphy |
3 |
| CHI 3440 Business Chinese |
3 |
| CHI 4930 Special Topics |
3 |
| CHI 4935 Senior Thesis |
3 |
| CHI 4940 Internship |
1-6 |
| CHT 3110 Chinese Literary Heritage |
3 |
| CHT 3123 Pre-Modern Chinese Fiction in Translation |
3 |
| CHT 3124 Modern Chinese Fiction in Translation |
3 |
| CHT 3500 Chinese Culture |
3 |
| CHT 3513 Taoism and Chinese Culture |
3 |
| CHT 4111 Dream of the Red Chamber |
3 |
| CHT 4603 Journey to the West |
3 |
Intensive Area Studies: Japanese
Option 2: Comparative Studies East Asia |
| ASH 3303 Modern Korea: Power & Protest |
3 |
| ASH 3442 Modern Japan |
3 |
| ASH 4930 Special Topics: Pacific War |
3 |
| REL 3318 Chinese Religions |
3 |
| REL 3335 Hindu Sacred Texts |
3 |
| REL 3336 Religion in Mod India |
3 |
| REL 3344 Chinese Buddhism |
3 |
| REL 3938 Special Topics: Buddhist Meditation |
3 |
| VTT 3500 Vietnamese Culture |
3 |
| WST 3415 Transnational Feminisms |
3 |
| Comparative Cultural Studies |
| ABT 3500 Arabic Culture |
3 |
| ABT 4131 The Qu’ran as Literature |
3 |
| ARA 3510 The Arab Woman |
3 |
| CHT 3500 Chinese Culture |
3 |
| CHT 3513 Taoism & Chinese Culture |
3 |
| CZT 3564 Modern Czech Culture & Society |
3 |
| FRT 3004 Monuments & Masterpieces of France |
3 |
| FRT 3561 Women in French Lit/Cinema |
3-4 |
| GET 3003 German Culture & Civilization 1 |
3 |
| GET 3004 Modern German Culture & Civilization |
3 |
| GET 3930 German Fairy Tales |
3 |
| HAI 3930 Haitian Culture & Society |
3 |
| HAT 3564 Haitian Culture & Society |
3 |
| ITT 3540 Crime Fiction & Film in Italy |
3 |
| ITT 3700 Italian Perspectives on Holocaust |
3 |
| ITT 3930 Special Topics in Italian |
3 |
| JPT 3500 Japanese Culture |
3 |
| JPT 4502 Japanese Folklore |
3 |
| RUT 3443 War and Peace |
3 |
| RUT 3500 Russian Cultural Heritage |
3 |
| RUT 3501 Contemporary Russian Culture & Society |
3 |
| RUT 3503 Violence & Terror in Russian Experience |
3 |
| RUT 3504 Russia Today |
3 |
| RUT 3506 Creative Lives: Writers, Artists and Extraordinary People |
3 |
| RUT 3514 Russian Fairy Tales |
3 |
| RUT 3524 Russia Through Film |
3 |
| RUT 3530 Russia's Struggle with Nature |
3 |
| RUT 3600 The Twentieth Century through Slavic Eyes |
3 |
| RUT 4450 Russian Modernism |
3 |
| VTT 3500 Vietnamese Culture |
3 |
| YOT 3500 Yoruba Diaspora in New World |
3 |
| Film and Visual Culture |
| CHI 4930 Special Topics in Chinese |
3 |
| CHT 3391 Chinese Film and Media |
4 |
| CHT 3523 Hong Kong, Taiwan and Global Cinema |
4 |
| FRT 3520 French Cinema |
4 |
| FRT 3561 Women in French Lit/Cinema |
3-4 |
| FRT 4523 Euro Identities, Euro Cinema |
4 |
| GET 3520 Early German Cinema |
4 |
| GET 3580 War in Lit/Visual Media |
3 |
| GET 4521 Women and German Cinema |
4 |
| GET 4523 New German Cinema 1945-Present |
4 |
| GET 4930 Variable Topics in German |
3 |
| HBR 4930 Special Topics |
3 |
| ITT 3521 Italian Cinema |
4 |
| ITT 3540 Crime Fiction & Film in Italy |
3 |
| ITT 3541 Italian Mafia Movies |
3 |
| ITT 3930 Special Topics in Italian |
3 |
| JPN 4930 Special Topics in Japanese |
3 |
| JPT 3391 Intro to Japanese Film |
4 |
| PLT 3520 Polish Cinema |
4 |
| RUT 3524 Russia Through Film |
3 |
| SSA 4930 Special Topics: African Film |
3 |
| Literary Studies |
| ABT 3130 Arabic Literary Heritage |
3 |
| ABT 4131 The Qu’ran as Literature |
3 |
| CHI 4930 Special Topics in Chinese |
3 |
| CHT 3110 Chinese Literary Heritage |
3 |
| CHT 3123 Pre-modern Chinese Fiction |
3 |
| CHT 3124 Modern Chinese Fiction |
3 |
| CHT 4111 Dream of the Red Chamber |
3 |
| CHT 4603 Journey to the West |
3 |
| FRT 3004 Monuments & Masterpieces of France |
3 |
| FRT 3561 Women in French Lit/Cinema |
3-4 |
| GET 3200 Literature of Knighthood |
3 |
| GET 3501 History, Literature, Arts of Berlin |
3 |
| GET 3580 War in Lit/Visual Media |
3 |
| GET 4930 Variable Topics in German |
3 |
| HAT 3503 Haitian Culture and Literature in Translation |
3 |
| HBR 4930 Special Topics in Hebrew |
3 |
| HBT 3223 Identity/Dissent in Hebrew Short Story |
3 |
| HBT 3233 Israeli History and the Contemporary Novel |
3 |
| HBT 3563 Women in Mod. Hebrew Fiction |
3 |
| HBT 3564 Motherhood Mod. Hebrew Lit. |
3 |
| ITT 3431 Italy & Pilgrimages |
3 |
| ITT 3540 Crime Fiction & Film in Italy |
3 |
| ITT 3700 Italian Perspectives Holocaust |
3 |
| ITT 3930 Special Topics Italian |
3 |
| JPT 3100 Tales of Kyoto |
3 |
| JPT 3120 Modern Japanese Fiction in Translation |
3 |
| JPT 3121 Contemporary Japanese Literature.: Postwar to Postmodern |
3 |
| JPT 3140 Modern Women Writers |
3 |
| JPT 3150 Classical Japanese Poetry |
3 |
| JPT 3300 Samurai War Tales |
3 |
| JPT 4130 Tale of Genji |
3 |
| JPT 4502 Japanese Folklore |
3 |
| PLT 3930 Special Topics in Polish |
3 |
| RUT 3101 Russian Masterpieces |
3 |
| RUT 3441 Tolstoy & Dostoevsky |
3 |
| RUT 3442 Themes from Russian Lit. |
3 |
| RUT 3443 War and Peace |
3 |
| RUT 3452 Russian Literature of the 20th Century |
3 |
| RUT 3503 Violence & Terror in Russian |
3 |
| RUT 3506 Creative Lives: Writers, Artists and Extraordinary People |
3 |
| RUT 3514 Russian Fairy Tales |
3 |
| RUT 3530 Russia’s Struggle with Nature: Legacies of Destruction and Preservation |
3 |
| RUT 3600 The Twentieth Century through Slavic Eyes |
3 |
| RUT 3930 Variable Topics Russian |
3 |
| RUT 4440 Pushkin & Gogol |
3 |
| RUT 4450 Russian Modernism |
3 |
| SST 4502 African Oral Literatures |
3 |
| SSW 3303 Swahili Oral Literatures |
3 |
| SSW 4713 African Women Writers |
3 |
| VTN 4930 Special Tpics in Vietnamese |
3 |
| YOR 4502 Yoruba Oral Literatures |
3 |
| Medieval and Early Modern Studies |
| ARA 3510 The Arab Woman |
3 |
| CHT 3123 Pre-modern Chinese Fiction |
3 |
| CHT 3513 Taoism and Chinese Culture |
3 |
| CHT 4111 Dream of the Red Chamber |
3 |
| CHT 4603 Journey to the West |
3 |
| GET 3200 Literature of Knighthood |
3 |
| ITT 3431 Italy and Pilgrimages |
3 |
| JPT 3300 Samurai War Tales |
3 |
| MEM 3003 Intro to Medieval World |
3 |
| MEM 3300 Castles and Cloisters |
3 |
| MEM 3301 Palaces and Cities |
3 |
| MEM 3730 Studies in Holy Roman Empire |
3 |
| MEM 3805 Research Methods in Medieval & Early Modern |
1 |
| MEM 3931 Topics Medieval & Early Modern |
3 |
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Related East Asian Languages and Literatures Programs
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