Major Requirements

Japanese Requirements

Credits Required: 

Total credits: 120

Credits in residence at CSUMB: 30

Credits in the major: approximately 44

You officially begin the major by enrolling in WLC 300: WLC Major ProSeminar where you work with the instructor to develop an Individual Learning Plan (ILP) appropriate to your personal and professional goals. That ILP maps out how you will achieve each of the Major Learning Outcomes (MLOs) and other requirements mandated by the program.

You are also required to engage in at least one semester of service learning involving the language and culture that you have chosen to emphasize for the major JAPN 301S: Advanced Japanese SL or SPAN 301S: Comp/Oral Practice SL. It is recommended that you take this service learning course concurrently with WLC 300: WLC Major ProSeminar during your first year in the major.

You conclude the major by enrolling in WLC 400: WLC Major Capstone and completing a Capstone project that displays your cumulative learning in the major. The Capstone represents your opportunity to demonstrate depth of knowledge and advanced linguistic skills. Learn more at CSUMB.EDU/capstone.

The eight WLC Major Learning Outcomes (MLOs) are a set of specialized skills and knowledge associated with the major. They help you develop the skills, knowledge and understanding necessary to fulfill your personal, social and professional goals.

    MLO 1-4 Language Proficiency

    Achieve and demonstrate intermediate-high or advanced proficiency in the four major skills (speaking, listening, reading and writing) of the world language you have chosen to emphasize.

    To attain this level of proficiency, you should expect to enroll in six-to-eight upper-division classes that are taught in your target language including a minimum of two upper-division language courses.

    You will be assessed for your level of proficiency in the Senior Capstone seminar.

    Required Courses

    • Japanese Emphasis
    • Complete two of the following
    • JAPN 301: Adv Japanese Lang Cult & Com (4 to 6 units)
    • JAPN 302: History of Japan (4 to 6 units)
    • JAPN 303: Business Japanese (4 units)
    • JAPN 304: Intro Translate & Interpret (4 units)
    • JAPN 312: Japanese for the Professions (4 units)
    • JAPN 380: Japan: Land & People (4 units)
    • JAPN 401: Structure of Japanese Lang (4 units)
    • JAPN 402: Japanese Literature (4 units)

    MLO 5 Primary Cultural Knowledge

    Develop a reasonable understanding of the ways of thinking (ideas, beliefs, attitudes, values, philosophies), the behavioral practices (patterns of social interactions) and the tangible/intangible cultural products (for example, art, history, literature, music) of the society or major cultures reflected by the language which you have chosen to study.

    • Complete a total of six courses in order to fulfill the MLO. Four of the courses comprise the Core, and 2 comprise the Depth of MLO 5.
    • MLO 5 - Core: Complete a total of four learning experiences in each of two general areas (for a total of four classes) that focus on the culture or society reflected by the language you have chosen to study. General areas to choose from are literature, history, culture, art history, etc.
    • MLO 5 - Depth: Complete an additional two classes in one of the general areas selected for a total of six classes for MLO 5.

     

    Required Courses

    • Japanese Emphasis
    • Choose from the following:
    • JAPN 305: Intro Japanese Clture/Civ (4 units)
    • JAPN 306: The Japanese Mind (4 units)
    • JAPN 307: Japan-American Exper (4 units)
    • JAPN 308: Japanese Pop-Culture (4 units)
    • JAPN 309: Japanese Lit in Translation (4 units)
    • JAPN 310: Japanese Cinema (4 units)
    • JAPN 311: Social Issues In Japan (4 units)
    • JAPN 313: Manga, Anime & Modern Japan (4 units)
    • JAPN 405: Econ History Of Japan (4 units)
    • JAPN 408: Business In Japan (4 units)
    • Some courses taught in Japanese with a primary focus other than language learning (content course) can qualify for this requirement. Courses cannot be used to meet both MLOs 1-4 and MLO 5. Please consult your advisor.

    MLO 6 Second Culture Knowledge

    Demonstrate general knowledge of a sociocultural group other than the one emphasized for the major. Develop a basic understanding of the ways of thinking (ideas, beliefs, attitudes, values, philosophies), the behavioral practices (patterns of social interactions) and the tangible/intangible cultural products (for example, art, history, literature, music) of the second culture. The second culture studied must be totally different from the target culture and majority American culture.

    Complete at least one upper-division class focusing on a sociocultural group not reflected by the language or culture emphasized for the major.

    Note: Student majors may take a total of no more than two non-WLC courses to satisfy WLC MLO 5 or 6. Please consult with your major advisor.

     

    Required Courses

    MLO 7 Cultural Praxis

    Demonstrate that you have been actively immersed in and have internalized the culture of the chosen language at an intermediate level.

    • This is not a course-based outcome. You demonstrate your abilities and knowledge by participating in a study-abroad program for at least one semester; by having lived as an adult over an extended period of time in a country whose primary language and culture are those being emphasized by the student major; by living and working in a local heritage community over an extended period of time; or by participating in and completing ten cultural learning scenarios approved by the School for World Languages and Cultures.
    • Assessment of the Cultural Praxis learning outcome is completed via portfolio in which you document and verify the pathway chosen above.

    MLO 8 Technology Skills

    Demonstrate an ability to use new multimedia technology and the Internet to support interactive linkages and distance learning activities between the CSUMB community and individuals and organizations in the countries of the language chosen as a major.

    This is not a course based outcome. You demonstrate your abilities and knowledge by exhibiting your Senior Capstone project in a technology-based format. Examples of such projects are culturally relevant PowerPoint presentations, webpages and CD-ROMS.

     

    Emphasis

    Japanese

    Spanish