The Japan Center for Michigan Universities (JCMU), a living/learning Center in Hikone City, Shiga Prefecture, Japan, seeks proposals from visiting scholars to serve as elective instructors during the fall (September – December 2026) and spring (January – April 2027) semesters.

Selected visiting scholars teach two elective courses per 15-week semester (up to 8 credit hours) in JCMU’s study abroad program. visiting scholars teach on topics of their choosing that represent their field of expertise. Preferred fields include the arts, business, communications, humanities, public health, non-laboratory sciences, and social sciences. Proposed course topics may be interdisciplinary. Past popular topics include Buddhism in Japan, Japanese Art History, Japanese Cinema and Media Studies, Psychology of Japanese Society, Natural Disaster Management in Japan, and Japanese Communications & Technology.

International travel and on-site furnished housing are provided at the Center for Visiting Scholars, who also receive a teaching stipend and a sponsored visa for their time in Japan.

All visiting scholars must hold at least a Master’s degree in their respective field. For prospective scholars in fine arts and music, a personal portfolio and CV with exhibit or performance information may be included in lieu of a graduate degree. All-but-dissertation (ABD) candidates are welcome to submit proposals in their field of research/scholarship.

Visiting scholars may come from any institution in the United States or Canada, including faculty at baccalaureate universities, community colleges, tribal colleges, and conservatories/schools of the arts. Course proposals from faculty at institutions already affiliated with JCMU are given selection preference. (To learn if your institution is affiliated with JCMU, please visit the “JCMU Partner School” section of the JCMU website.) Independent scholars are eligible to apply but must find ways within their application to demonstrate documented teaching ability and student success.

Applications for elective course Visiting Scholars must include the following:

• A cover letter articulating the applicant’s desire and credentials to teach at JCMU.
• Complete syllabi for the proposed elective courses, including readings, assignments, evaluation elements (quizzes, examinations, research projects, etc.), and a draft class schedule.
  • Course content must be taught in English with no Japanese language skill or prior knowledge required.
  • Generally, the course should be designed for upper division (junior and senior) U.S. undergraduate students with a minimum 3 credit hours (45 contact hours) and a maximum 4 credit hours (60 contact hours) per course.
  • Japan is JCMU’s true classroom: we aim to engage students in meaningful ways in our local Shiga community. As such, course enhancements, such as site visits, field trips, and immersion experiences in Japan are encouraged in all JCMU courses.
  • If the course(s) are offered at the faculty member’s home institution, it should be indicated how the course will be altered to fit a study abroad environment on-site in Japan.
• The prospective visiting scholars's most recent curriculum vitae.
• A summary of student evaluations from at least one course taught in-person at the faculty member’s home institution.
  • Please do not send full evaluations for an academic year.
  • If the proposed course(s) have been taught at the scholar’s home institution, please include a summary of the student evaluations for that specific course.
• Two professional letters of recommendation, speaking to the applicant’s teaching abilities. At least one letter from the scholar’s department chair or college director is preferred (if applicable). ABD candidates must receive prior written permission from their dissertation supervisor or department chair.

Please submit proposals to JCMU-East Lansing as attached PDF files via email to: JCMU(at)msu.edu.

Applications for Fall Semester 2026 are due to JCMU-East Lansing by 5:00 PM US-EST on Friday, 9 January 2026.

Applications for Spring Semester 2027 are due to JCMU-East Lansing by 5:00 PM US-EDT on Friday, 10 April 2026.

Questions regarding Visiting Scholar opportunities at JCMU can be directed to the JCMU Fiscal Officer in East Lansing, Kitty Douglass-Harris, via email at gabele(at)msu.edu.

FOR JAPAN-BASED SCHOLARS: JCMU also accepts course proposals from visiting scholars currently residing in Japan. However, the application parameters, teaching requirements, and compensation for domestic scholars are slightly different.

If you are currently in Japan and would like to be considered for a Visiting or temporary teaching position at JCMU for the 2026-2027 academic year, please contact JCMU Resident Director in Hikone, Ben McCracken, directly at bmccracken(at)jcmu.org.