Japanese
Program Description
The study of Japanese is an excellent choice for students in the Bay Area since a considerable amount of business and trade occurs with Japan by California industries. The electronics and gaming industries are especially interested in employing persons who speak Japanese and are familiar with Japanese customs. It is an excellent major or minor for those who plan graduate work in business, electronics/gaming, or law.
Learn more about the program on the Japanese website.
Program Learning Outcomes
- The student will be able to communicate with native speakers of Japanese, using the appropriate language, styles, sensitivity, and level of respectfulness in various situations.
- The student will demonstrate knowledge of Japanese society, culture, and history, and will be able to analyze and discuss cultural differences and similarities.
Award Type(s)
- AA = Associate in Arts Degree
Units Required
- Major: 40
Associate Degree Requirements
A minimum of 90 units is required1 to complete the associate degree, including:
- Core and support courses for the major (40 units total)
- Completion of one of the following general education patterns:
- Foothill College General Education
- Summer Session 2025 only–CSU General Education Breadth (CSU GE Breadth)2
- Summer Session 2025 only–Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC)2
- Beginning Fall Quarter 2025–California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC)3
- 1
Additional elective course work may be necessary to meet the 90-unit minimum requirement for the associate degree.
- 2
Summer Session 2025 is the final term during which CSU GE Breadth and IGETC may be used. Please see a counselor for more information.
- 3
Cal-GETC begins in Fall Quarter 2025. Please see a counselor for more information.
Note: A grade of "C" (or "P") or better is required for all core and support courses used for the degree. In addition, the student must obtain a minimum GPA of 2.0.
Refer to the Associate in Arts & Associate in Science Degree Requirements page for complete information about graduation requirements and catalog rights.
Core and Support Courses
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| JAPN 1 | ELEMENTARY JAPANESE I 1 | 5 |
| JAPN 2 | ELEMENTARY JAPANESE II 1 | 5 |
| JAPN 3 | ELEMENTARY JAPANESE III 1 | 5 |
| JAPN 4 | INTERMEDIATE JAPANESE I | 5 |
| JAPN 5 | INTERMEDIATE JAPANESE II | 5 |
| JAPN 6 | INTERMEDIATE JAPANESE III | 5 |
| Support Courses | ||
| Select 10 units from the following: | 10 | |
| INTERMEDIATE CONVERSATION I | ||
| INTERMEDIATE CONVERSATION II | ||
| ADVANCED CONVERSATION I | ||
| ADVANCED CONVERSATION II | ||
| Total Units | 40 | |
- 1
For students who can demonstrate proficiency equivalent to one year of college Japanese, JAPN 1, JAPN 2, and JAPN 3 may be waived. However, if you are waived out of JAPN 1, JAPN 2, JAPN 3 (15 units), you must take at least 12 units from the support courses to complete a minimum of 27 units in JAPN courses (15 units of core courses + 12 units of support courses).