2020-2021

Japanese, Minor

Department of Global Languages and Cultures

College of Arts and Letters

Students in this minor gain proficiencies in Japanese language and an exposure to Japan's role in the world's culture and literature.

  • A minor is earned in conjunction with a bachelor's degree.

    To receive a minor (18 - 24 units) at Northern Arizona University, you must complete a planned group of courses from one or more subject matter areas with a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0. At least 12 units of the minor must be unique to that minor and not applied to any other minor.

In addition to University Requirements:

  • Complete individual plan requirements.

Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.

No more than fifty percent of the units used to satisfy minor requirements may be used to satisfy major requirements.

Minimum Units for Completion 19
Major GPA 2.0
Foreign Language Required

Purpose Statement

Students who satisfy the requirements of the minor in Japanese are expected to have the ability to read and write Japanese texts at the intermediate level and interact effectively in the spoken language. In addition to language, students are also expected to be familiar with various aspects of Japanese culture, such as education system, etiquette, food, greetings, and housing. Students who complete the minor are able to write short papers in Japanese, communicate at a level that would be understood by native and non-native speakers of Japanese, and are aware of different speech styles used in formal/informal situations, and perform daily tasks that allow them to function effectively and efficiently in daily life when they communicate with native speakers and/or when they are abroad. Students who complete the Japanese minor have the necessary foundational base to advance their proficiency in the Japanese language, the opportunity to gain intercultural understanding and the ability to better compete in the international market.

Student Learning Outcomes
Student Learning Outcomes are Aligned with Standards for Language Learning created by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages.

Upon completing this minor, students will be able to:

  • Orally express ideas in Japanese through meaningful discussion of concrete topics relating to work, school, home, and leisure activities using all major time frames (present, past, and future). Students can interact with native speakers unaccustomed to dealing with non- natives, and handle complicated or unexpected communicative tasks. (Speaking skills)
  • When listening to others, be able to identify and use main ideas and details from the conversation, including description and narration in different time frames or aspects, about a variety of topics beyond immediacy of the situation, to communicate meaningfully with others. (Listening skills)
  • Identify and use main ideas and details from authentic, connected, longer, written texts involving description and narration in different formats about a variety of topics for communicative purposes. (Reading skills)
  • Create with language to express meanings in written form about familiar topics using the major time frames with some control of aspect. (Writing skills)

Minor Requirements
  • Track 2:
    Take the following 18 units with a Grade of "C" or better in each course:
    • At least 10 units of JPN courses at the 300 level or above. (10 units)
    • JPN courses at the 200 level or above (8 units)

  • You may only take lower-level JPN courses if you have not already taken advanced JPN coursework. For instance, after you have completed 200-level JPN courses, you cannot take JPN courses at the 100 level.

  • This minor is not available to students pursuing the Modern Languages; BA - Japanese Emphasis or the Japanese IGP Emphasis.

  • Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.