Japan Center of Michigan Universities

Academic Programs in Japanese Language and Culture

The Academic Program in Japanese Language and Culture allows students to participate for one or two semesters, with the option of continuing into the summer. Intensive Japanese language is taught at four different levels, from beginning to advanced. No prior Japanese language study is necessary. Students must be in good standing and have at least a 2.5 GPA.

Japanese language courses normally involve 10 credits, covering a standard academic year's worth of material in one semester. Placement tests given at the beginning of the program are used to determine the appropriate level for each student.

Elective courses are taught in English. The standard course Japanese Culture & Society is offered each semester and may be repeated for credit. JCMU Visiting Scholars also facilitate a course, these offerings vary by semester. Distance learning and independent study options are also available. Additional courses may be available in either English or Japanese as part of the JCMU exchange agreements with Shiga University and the University of Shiga Prefecture.

Course offerings*

Fall Semester 2008 (September 1, 2008 - December 15, 2008)

JCMU Core Course Offerings

Intensive Japanese Language [10 Credits] (four levels, beginning to advanced)

JCMU Online/Distance Learning Course Offerings

Intercultural Communication and Technology [3 credits] - Dr. Douglass Scott, Waseda University - .pdf (online offering)

Exchange University Course Offerings (Shiga University and University of Shiga Prefecture)

Japanese Economics & Business [3 credits] (Shiga University)
Cultural Manifestations of Japanese Religions [3 credits] (University of Shiga Prefecture) note: this offering is subject to change

Visiting/Local Scholar Courses

Japan and the Modern Transitions [4 credits] - Dr. Gayl Ness, University of Michigan Ann Arbor

Spring Semester 2009 (January 5, 2009 - April 20, 2009)

JCMU Core Course Offerings

Intensive Japanese Language [10 credits] (four levels, beginning to advanced)
Japanese Culture & Society [4 credits] - Dr. Paul Reagan, Resident Director

Exchange University Course Offerings (Shiga University and University of Shiga Prefecture)

Japanese Popular Culture [3 credits] (taught by Shiga University faculty)

JCMU Local/Visiting Scholar Course Offerings

Japanese Cinema [3 credits] - Preston Houser, Baika Women's College, Osaka Japan
Examining and Recording Traditional Arts in Japan [3 credits] - Professor Don Kerr, Professor of Art Emeritus, Grand Valley State University and Professor Sharon Sandberg Kerr, Adjunct Assistant Professor of Art, Aquinas College

*Some courses pending departmental approval for course equivalency

Semester Program Fees & Expenses

The semester program fee of $6,650 includes tuition, course materials, and health insurance. A housing fee of $2,080 is also assessed. For students participating in home stays, this covers at least two meals a day and commuting costs between the home stays site and the Center. For students living in the JCMU apartments the housing fee covers rent, utilities, room and building maintenance, and common-area cleaning.

JCMU Semester Fees

Program Fee $6,650
Housing Fee $2,080

TOTAL $8,730*

*JCMU reserve the right to change programs fees at any time. Students from JCMU Consortium member institutions automatically receive the JCMU Consortium Scholarship (currently $1,500 per semester).

Students will arrange their own transportation. Round-trip airfare is estimated at $1100. Additional out-of-pocket expenses are very difficult to estimate, given variations in the yen/dollar exchange rate and personal spending habits. (The exchange rate has been very favorable to the dollar recently.) Students should budget up to $3000 per semester for these expenses, which include food, personal travel, entertainment, gifts, and other miscellaneous items.

Application

Students in various fields and majors are encouraged to apply. All application materials, including original transcripts, and a photocopy of the first page of your passport, must be in the East Lansing office by the first Friday in March for the fall semester (or entire academic year), and the first Friday in October for the spring (winter) semester. Late applications will be accepted until the program is filled, but we cannot guarantee that visas from the Japanese government will be processed in time. Students contemplating study at JCMU should apply for a passport immediately. Contact the JCMU office in East Lansing for more information.