Japanese

Opportunities

Field Trips

Students on a field trip to the Japanese supermarket Mitsuwa.

The Japanese program organizes field trips every semester to the Japanese Supermarket Mitsuwa, the Kikkoman Factory or the Japanese Garden at the Chicago Botanic Garden. In addition to being learning experiences, these trips also give students a chance to interact informally and practice their language skills.

Bridging scholarships

The Association of Teachers of Japanese Bridging Project offers scholarships to American undergraduate students participating in study-abroad programs in Japan. Learn more.

J-Term

J-Term is a month-long period of study in Janaury in which the academic departments at Carthage offer innovative course on-campus and study tours around the world. Professors from various departments such as History, Politics and Economics who are specialized or interested in Japanese society may lead field trips to Japan. The trips provide students opportunities to have direct contact with Japanese people and culture.

Japanese Club

Members of Japanese Club

The Japanese Club is a student-run organization that hosts meetings and events for students interested in Japan. It provides opportunities for students to further expand their knowledge of Japan and its culture outside of class. But most all, we have fun! We enjoy the time together watching Japanese anime, playing games, learning Japanese songs, and talking about Japan. The club meets from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays in Todd Wehr Center.

Japanese Lunch Table

The Japanese Lunch Table meets once a week, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. on Wednesdays in Todd Wehr Center. Students chat with each other in Japanese and with professors, TLEs and exchange students from Japan.

Japanese Speech and Performance Contest

A student presents her speech

Since 2008, the Japanese program at Carthage has hosted the Carthage Japanese Speech and Performance Contest. This is an opportunity for students in the Japanese program to present their Japanese oral skills and express themselves in Japanese. In addition to formal speeches, students also present Japanese songs, skits, dances, Karate, and more. See photos from the 2011 event.

Service Fellows

Every school year, a Japanese service fellow is selected, who assists in organizing Japanese activities/events as well as preparing teaching materials. There is a stipend associated with position.

Service learning

Advanced students of Japanese may volunteer to give Japanese language lesson once a week in local elementary schools.

Study Abroad

Study abroad enables students to become international citizens as they explore Japan in depth, build language skills, and experience Japanese culture. Living with a Japanese family, taking courses, and participating in a cultural practicum/internship offer different windows for experiencing and understanding the complex society of contemporary Japan.

Students majoring in Japanese are required to study abroad for at least one semester. Carthage has a regular exchange program with Tokyo Gakugei University, and Carthage students may study there or at another Japanese university of their choice. The exchange program with Tokyo Gakugei University allows up to three students from Carthage to enroll at Tokyo Gakugei University; in turn, Tokyo Gakugei University may send up to three of their qualified students to study at Carthage each year.

Related Links:
Hear from students studying Japanese at Carthage
Opportunities for students studying Japanese at Carthage
Opportunities and employment for graduates

Academics at Carthage

Prospective Students

Faculty Spotlight

Yan Wang
Assistant Professor of Modern Languages

"No matter where I was and what I was doing, for the past 20 years, I never stopped my Japanese study." Read more.

Study Abroad

Students who major in a modern language at Carthage must spend a full semester or year abroad. Read more ...

Target Language Experts

At Carthage, introductory language courses are taught by native speakers. Read more ...