- Some of the Japanese studies foundation courses that have been offered include:
- Asian Studies/Anthropology 2373: Japanese Culture
- Asian Studies/History 2502: Introduction to East Asia: Japan
- Asian Studies/Art History 2815: Japanese Art
- Asian Studies/History 3541: Japan Today
- View course schedules and cross-listings.
- Japanese language courses are offered at all levels, from beginning to advanced. If you have had no prior Japanese language, plan to enroll in an introductory language course. See below for which level you should choose.
- Additional courses are offered in a broad range of disciplines.
- Credit-bearing internships are also available.
- GenEd: Temple students who successfully complete (with a C- or better) credit-bearing coursework worth at least three semester hours in an approved summer or semester study abroad program with a minimum stay abroad of 28 days will satisfy the World Society (GG) requirement. Additional GenEd courses are offered at Temple Japan; View the GenEd column in the course schedule for designations.
- Accreditation, transcripts and transfer of credits
If you have any questions about the academic program at Temple Japan, or would like to request syllabi for courses, please contact us at study.abroad@temple.edu.
Architecture
Temple Japan offers an architecture program as part of the spring semester study abroad program. The
undergraduate program is designed for students majoring in architecture, architectural
preservation, facilities management, landscape architecture, and urban design/studies. Graduate
students are welcome; interested graduate students should consult with Education Abroad.
Art and Art History
Temple Japan's art major is offered under the auspices of the world-renowned Tyler School of Art at Temple's main campus, with Tokyo providing a unique backdrop for all creative students. The art program offers students a strong focus in visual art practice within a liberal arts context. Students in this program pursue a variety of projects designed to help them explore the boundaries between technology and studio art practice through both digital and non-digital art courses. Asian art history courses complement the program.
Asian Studies
With an emphasis on East and Southeast Asia, the Asian studies department provides students with an in-depth understanding of the region's past, present, and future—from art, literature, and religion to politics, business, and diplomacy. The courses provide a great opportunity for majors and non-majors alike to contextualize their experience. Internships are available, and students also enjoy access to the programs of Temple Japan's Institute of Contemporary Asian Studies.
Communication Studies
Communication studies surveys various departmental subjects such as mass media, public relations, advertising, film and television production, and journalism. Offerings include foundational courses as well as theory and production courses. The Temple Japan internship program includes numerous opportunities in the communications field; students often intern at PR agencies, news agencies, and production companies.
International Affairs and Political Science
The international affairs program aims to teach students the causes, nature, and evolution of issues among and between states, with a special focus placed on international relations between Japan and its East Asian neighbors. The interdisciplinary nature of international affairs allows students to take advantage of coursework in anthropology, history, political science, and sociology.
Japanese Language
The Japanese language program aims to provide students with a well-balanced proficiency in the areas of grammar, listening, speaking, and writing. In the classroom, study abroad students benefit from learning alongside degree-seeking undergraduates who are preparing for the Japanese proficiency test through this rigorous major. Courses are offered from beginning to advanced, as well as for native speakers; oral intensive courses are particularly popular amongst study abroad students.
- Japanese 1001: Japanese Elements I
If you wish to continue Japanese language study beyond your term abroad, you’ll choose Japanese 1001: Japanese Elements I, the first course in the Japanese language sequence. - Japanese 2000: Practical Japanese for Study Abroad Students
If you are interested in learning conversational Japanese language and about Japanese culture to assist you in navigating Japan during your study abroad term, but do not intend to continue with future Japanese language coursework, you’ll choose Japanese 2000: Practical Japanese for Study abroad Students (note: this course does not fulfill the pre-requisite for Japanese 1002: Elements II and is not appropriate for Japanese language minors/majors). - Advanced courses
If you have already studied Japanese, you may continue at the intermediate or advanced level. you will take a Japanese placement test upon arrival to confirm your language level.
Psychology
Temple Japan's psychology program is an extension of the College of Liberal Arts psychology department on Temple's main campus, rated among the best in the United States. Students explore a variety of topics in developmental and clinical psychology, with special attention given to comparative psychology in an Asian context.
Student perspectives
“My Temple Japan classes have guaranteed I’m never deprived of knowledge about my host country. In East Asia & the United States, I’ve been learning about Japan’s past and current international relationships. Surprisingly, I’ve also found my Practical Japanese for Study Abroad Students to be at least just as much about Japanese culture as it is about language. Though this was not what I was expecting from a “practical” course, our studies on cultural elements (such as amae, Shintoism and Buddhism, wabi-sabi, and the Japanese school system) have been just as rewarding. I also think, revisiting what “practical” can mean, learning the culture of a host country can be just as important as learning language.” - Ariel Kovlakas, Summer 2017 (Read Ariel's blog)