Study Abroad | Kyoto
Summer 2027: Academics

Course Code: JPS 1

Instruction Language: English

This Japan Studies course was designed to compliment the study of Japanese language through exploration of historical, traditional and current Japanese culture. It is taught in English and Japanese. Throughout 11 cultural lessons and field-based activities students will gain the following: • Experience selected forms of Japanese traditional culture and contemporary cultural practice. • Understand the historical, social, and cultural background of the activities. • Develop intercultural awareness through interaction with instructors, artisans, student clubs, and Ritsumeikan students. • Connect classroom-based Japanese language learning with practical experiences in Kyoto. Example cultural activities include a tea ceremony, an origami workshop, a kanji museum visit and kanji stamp making, a tour of the Kyoto Ninna-ji Temple, a traditional Japanese music performance, a zen meditation garden visit and lesson, workshop to make a kyoto-style fan, calligraphy lesson and a Yukata traditional clothing experience.

Course Code: JPN 1

Instruction Language: Japanese

The Learning Objectives for this Zero Beginner course include: • Master hiragana and katakana and write short sentences. • Communicate in Japanese in specific situations, including self-introductions and shopping. • Write short sentences about personal topics, such as daily life and the town in which the student lives. Although a beginner level course, students must have taken at least one introductory Japanese language course, or equivalent self-study, which includes review and mastery of Hiragana and Katakana phonetic alphabets and scripts. Students will undertake a Japanese language placement test at the start of the program to confirm their language level.

Course Code: JPN 2

Instruction Language: Japanese

Sample document for reference purposes The learning objectives of this early beginner to mid beginner Japanese language course include: • Develop practical use of previously studied sentence patterns while acquiring new vocabulary and sentence structures. • Explain familiar topics using appropriate vocabulary and sentence patterns. • Understand a passage of approximately 200 Japanese characters. • Write short passages accurately using previously studied sentence patterns and vocabulary. Although a low level course, students must have taken at least one prior introductory Japanese language course, or equivalent self-study, which include the ability to use hiragana and katakana to write short sentences and the ability to communicate in specific situations like in self-introductions or shopping. Students will undertake a Japanese language placement test at the start of the program to confirm their language level.

Course Code: JPN 3

Instruction Language: Japanese

The learning objectives for this upper intermediate to advanced Japanese course include: • Read and understand texts of more than 500 Japanese characters and express personal opinions logically. • Write an opinion of approximately 400 Japanese characters on themes covered in texts or newspapers. • Communicate effectively by selecting an appropriate speaking style for the context and situation. Sample assessment activities • Placement test, including written and oral components. • Short quizzes during the program. • Final examination, including written and oral components. • Presentation: beginner classes may present on their town or a favourite place or item in Kyoto; advanced classes may present on a current social issue in their country, Japan, or the world. Students must have completed prior intermediate Japanese coursework and possess skills to understand approximately 200 Japanese characters, explain familiar topics using appropriate vocabulary and sentence patterns, and write short passages accurately. Students will undertake a Japanese language placement test at the start of the program to confirm their language level.