Modern Languages and Literatures: Japanese

The Academic Program

Courses in Japanese language, literature, and culture may be combined with courses taken at Haverford, Bryn Mawr and with study abroad toward a special major or a minor in Japanese or may be counted toward a major or minor in Asian studies (see Asian Studies ). Interested students should consult with the section head of Japanese or with the chair of Asian studies.

Special Majoring and Minoring in Japanese

Students may construct a special major in Japanese, featuring intensive study in Japanese language, literature, and culture. Japanese special majors will complete their coursework through a combination of study at Swarthmore, courses at Haverford or Bryn Mawr, and study abroad. Students interested in a Japanese special major or minor should consult with the section head of Japanese as soon as possible.

Students seeking a broader exposure to East Asian society and culture may consider a Japanese concentration within the Asian studies major. Students who wish to concentrate on linguistics rather than Japanese literature and culture may construct a special major in Japanese Language and Linguistics, with a combination of advanced language study at Haverford and Bryn Mawr, study abroad and courses and seminars in the Linguistics department at Swarthmore College. Students wishing to pursue this possibility should consult with the Japanese section head.

Special Major in Japanese Language, Literature and Culture

At least 10 total credits starting with 001, including at least one credit outside the department, are required for a special major in Japanese. Special majors should complete the following sequence of language courses JPNS 001, 002, 003, 004, 012, 012A, 013, 013A or their equivalent. Japanese special majors are strongly encouraged to study abroad in a program approved by the section; transfer credits normally may be counted toward the special major.

Special majors should complete at least two courses on Japanese culture of level 015 and higher and at least two additional courses of level 30 and higher or their equivalent in coursework outside the department. Students are encouraged to combine their study of Japanese literature and culture with coursework in Japanese history, anthropology and sociology, religion, art, music, economics, political science, education, comparative literature, and other related fields within the tri-college consortium. At least two courses on Japanese literature and culture should normally be taken within the department.

All special majors will complete a culminating project.

Minor in Japanese Language, Literature and Culture

A minimum of 5 credits numbered 004 and above is required for the course minor. At least one credit must be taken in Japanese literature, film or culture in translation, either in coursework offered by the Japanese section or its equivalent in coursework outside of Swarthmore, with the approval of the section. A minimum of 3 credits should be taken at Swarthmore.

The section strongly encourages study abroad in a section-approved program; transferred credits normally may be counted toward the minor. One credit may be earned from another department on a Japan-related subject with the approval of the section.

Honors Special Majors and Minors in Japanese

Honors study for qualified students may be substituted for the culminating project in the major. Students are encouraged to consult with the Japanese section head to discuss Honors special majors and honors minors.

Japanese Courses

• JPNS 001. Introduction to Japanese
• JPNS 002. Introduction to Japanese
• JPNS 003. Second-Year Japanese
• JPNS 004. Second-Year Japanese
• JPNS 007. Chinese/Japanese Calligraphy
• JPNS 008. Extensive Reading in Japanese
• JPNS 012. Third-Year Japanese
• JPNS 012A. Japanese Conversation
• JPNS 013. Third-Year Japanese
• JPNS 013A. Readings in Japanese
• JPNS 018. First Year Seminar: Manga, Bande Dessinée, and the Graphic Novel: A Transnational Study of Graphic Fiction
• JPNS 021. Introduction to Modern Japanese Literature: Friendship and Love in Portrayals of Japanese Youth Culture
• JPNS 024. Japanese Film and Animation
• JPNS 033. Tokyo Central: The Metropolis in Modern Japanese Literature and Film
• JPNS 035. Narratives of Disaster and Rebuilding in Japan
• JPNS 041. Fantastic Spaces in Modern Japanese Literature
• JPNS 051. Japanese Poetry and Poetics
• JPNS 074. Japanese Popular Culture and Contemporary Media
• JPNS 083. War and Postwar in Japanese Culture
• JPNS 094. Independent Study
• JPNS 096. Japanese Thesis