Reading and discussion in Japanese of a variety of advanced-level materials, including newspaper articles, short stories, and poetry. Graduate requirements include extra readings and an extra translation project.

How does Japan fit into the modern world? What are the commonalities, contrasts, and connections among Japan and other societies and states? By exploring how various historical processes and developments - such as industrialization, state-building, nationalism, neo-imperialism, new political institutions and legitimacy, capitalism, economic class-played out in Japan, a number of issues are illuminated: what are the traits of "modernity"? Are there meta-narratives of historical change? Is all history only local or regional? In what ways is the world "global"? We will explore these questions by approaching the pertinent issues from three angles: (1) the modern history of Japan; (2) comparing Japan to other geographical/cultural areas; and (3) adopting major themes which will act as conceptual prisms. Graduate-level requirements include a double-length research paper, meeting with the instructor six times for additional instruction, and conducting one lecture.

Advanced readings in Japanese and English on specific topics in Japanese linguistics. Graduate-level requirements include a substantial term paper and a class presentation based on that paper.

Phonology, morphology, syntax, pragmatics, and sociolinguistics of the Japanese language. Graduate-level requirements include a substantial term paper and a class presentation based on that paper.

An introduction to the pre-modern Japanese literary language (termed hereafter Classical Japanese (CJ)), approached through the translation of texts from the 8th to 13th century into English. There will be an introduction to the language - its history, structure, and relationship to Modern Japanese (MJ) - after which it will proceed through in-class reading and translation of prepared passages taken from the literary texts specified below. Certain classes will be set aside for quizzes as well as seminar discussion of specific topics. Graduate-level requirements include a research paper based on a translation project (involving extra group and individual meetings with the instructor in the second half of the semester).

Introduction to general issues of gender and language use, specific gender-related differences in the Japanese language, and gender roles in Japan. Graduate-level requirements include a substantial term paper and may include extra readings and an additional weekly meeting.

Qualified students working on an individual basis with professors who have agreed to supervise such work.

Qualified students working on an individual basis with professors who have agreed to supervise such work.

An honors thesis is required of all the students graduating with honors. Students ordinarily sign up for this course as a two-semester sequence. The first semester the student performs research under the supervision of a faculty member; the second semester the student writes an honors thesis.

A culminating experience for majors involving a substantive project that demonstrates a synthesis of learning accumulated in the major, including broadly comprehensive knowledge of the discipline and its methodologies. Senior standing required.