Japanese (B.A.) Academic Course Map

The Department of Asian Languages and Civilizations at CU Boulder offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in Japanese (JPNS), which emphasizes knowledge and awareness of the Japanese language, including Japanese literary history and the cultural contexts in which particular works were written.  Students gain critical language skills that can be applied across a range of careers, including the skills to address challenges, deficiencies, and possible gains inherent in the process of translating from one language to another.

With a Japanese major, students will have skills, information and concepts that are relevant to careers in virtually every area. Competency in a foreign language is a highly desirable skill in all fields. A knowledge of Japanese is particularly beneficial and useful in business, engineering, industry, commerce, the civil or foreign service, law, library science, natural and social sciences, the media, economics, public administration, journalism, government and teaching at all levels. In addition, Japan is an increasing source of a wide variety of excellent careers, as it is among the world’s largest economies and trading partners with the U.S. and Colorado.

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Admission Requirements

Students who begin at a Colorado Community College can transfer directly to CU Boulder to finish their degree in any of the programs offered by the College of Arts and Sciences. Please see the CU Boulder College of Arts & Sciences’ Colorado Community College webpage for more information detailed information admissions requirements for students transfering from a Colorado Community College. 

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Transfer Recommendations

To graduate in a 4-year time frame, it is important that students follow the recommended schedule. Students who wish to continue their education at the community college beyond the number of credits specified below should explore with both community college and CU Boulder staff how their graduation timeline, COF stipend, and financial aid will be affected.

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Suggested Four-Year Course Plan for the Japanese (JPNS) major

This is a suggested guide of coursework only and is subject to change. Always consult your academic advisor for graduation planning purposes. Depending on a student’s situation, a different plan might be more applicable.

Check to make sure your community colleges offers all four semesters of Japanese language courses before starting this course map.  Students followiing this course map must begin taking courses at CU Boulder during the Summer Session after they complete their associate degree because of the sequencing of the Japanese Language courses at CU Boulder.

Community College (first 2 years)

Fall Semester 1

Course	Course Title	Credits
ENG 121/1021*	English Composition I (GT-CO1)	3
JPN 111/1011	Japanese Language I	5
COM 220/2300	Intercultural Communication (GT-SS3)	3
	Guaranteed Transfer Social & Behavioral Sciences Course (GT-SS1, GT-SS2, GT-SS3)	3
	Total Credits	14

Spring Semester 1

Course	Course Title	Credits
ENG 122/1022	English Composition II (GT-CO2)	3
JPN 112/1012	Japanese Language II	5
MAT 120/1240	Math for the Liberal Arts or any other GT-MA1 Course	3
	Transfer Elective	3
	Total Credits	14

Fall Semester 2

Course	Course Title	Credits
JPN 211/2011	Japanese Language III (GT-AH4)	3
	Guaranteed Transfer Social & Behavioral Sciences Course (GT-SS1, GT-SS2, GT-SS3)	3
	Guaranteed Transfer Arts & Humanities Course (GT-AH1, GT-AH2, or GT- AH3)	3
	Guaranteed Transfer Natural & Physical Sciences Course (GT-SC1)	4
	Transfer Elective	3
	Total Credits	16

Spring Semester 2

Course	Course Title	Credits
JPN 212/2012	Japanese Language IV (GT-AH4)	3
	Guaranteed Transfer Arts & Humanities Course (GT-AH1, GT-AH2, or GT- AH3)	3
	Guaranteed Transfer History Course (GT-HI1)	3
	Guaranteed Transfer Natural & Physical Sciences Course (GT-SC1 or SC2)	4
	Transfer Elective	3
	Total Credits	16

Total credits at your community college: 60

Completion of the four semesters of coursework listed above will fulfil the requirements for an Associate of Arts at a Colorado community college and will fulfill the General Education requirements at CU Boulder.

 

CU Boulder (last 2 years)

Summer Session 2

Course	Course Title	Credits
JPNS 2120	Intermediate Japanese 2	5
	Total Credits	5

Fall Semester 3

Course	Course Title	Credits
JPNS 3110	Advanced Japanese 1	5
JPNS 1012 OR JPNS 1051	Introduction to Japanese Civilization OR Masterpieces of Japanese Literature in Translation	3
	Lower- or Upper-Division Elective	3
	Upper Division Non-Major Elective	3
	Total Credits	14

Spring Semester 3

Course	Course Title	Credits
JPNS 3120	Advanced Japanese 2	5
	Lower- or Upper-division JPNS Major Elective	3
	Upper Division Non-Major Elective	3
	Upper Division Non-Major Elective	3
	Total Credits	14

Fall Semester 4

Course Title	Credits
Upper-Division JPNS Major Elective	3
Upper-Division JPNS Major Elective	3
Upper Division Elective	3
Upper Division Non-Major Elective	3
Upper Division Non-Major Elective	3
Total Credits	15

Spring Semester 4

Course Title	Credits
Upper-Division JPNS Major Elective	3
Upper Division Non-Major Elective	3
Upper Division Non-Major Elective	3
Upper Division Non-Major Elective	3
Total Credits	12

Total credits at CU Boulder: 60

Completion of all eight semesters and one summer term of coursework listed above fulfills the requirements for a Bachelor of Arts Degree with a major in Japanese at CU Boulder.

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*For community college courses, the first course number is previous to summer 2022, and the second course number is the new number starting in summer 2022.