Faculty of Literature - Department of Japanese Literature
Special characteristics and educational goals of the department
The Japanese Literature Department aims to cultivate individuals who can respond to the diversification of the sense of values in today's society, or who can contribute to Japanese language education, based on the broad and deep knowledge of Japanese literature, Kanbun (Classical Chinese) literature, Japanese linguistics, and Japanese language education. To this end, the faculty has assembled a curriculum with a good balance of coverage of all eras from ancient times to the present for each department.
In the first and second years introductory and comprehensive courses such as "Introduction to Japanese Literature", "Culture and Literature of the Nara Period", "Japanese Language in the World", and "History of Japanese Language Education" are held along with the “Japanese Language (Spoken and Written) for Practical Use" practical course.
In the third year, specialized lectures such as "Lecture on Medieval Literature" and “Modern Literature Lecture" as well as seminar courses are held. These also include preparation for writing a graduation thesis. Then the third-year spring break is used as a period of preparation in which students decide on an individual research topic which they tackle in their fourth year in the form of a graduation thesis (40-80 pages written on 400 character composition paper).
In addition to this, students become able study subjects deeply related to Japanese literature, Kanbun (Classical Chinese) literature, Japanese linguistics, and Japanese language education such as "Japanese Culture Theory", "Japanese Historical Survey", "Introduction to Japanese History", "Art History Survey", "Calligraphy", "Chinese Philosophy", "Survey of Linguistics", and “Comparative Literature.
Graduates who have acquired a broad education in Japanese literature at FWU are playing an active role in a broad range of professions such as junior or senior high school teachers or civil servants, librarians, writing or the publishing industry, broadcasting and finance. Also, the number of individuals who are active as teachers of Japanese language to non-Japanese nationals is on the increase. There are also students who further their studies at our graduate school. For information on junior and senior high school teacher and teacher-librarian qualifications, please refer to the Teacher-Training Course and Acquirable Qualifications List.
Admissions Policy (Student Acceptance Policy)
The Japanese Literature Department is looking for individuals who are interested in Japanese literature or Japanese language, have a strong intellectual curiosity and are able to willfully handle any challenge. Furthermore, they should have a strong desire to become able to explain properly the unique nature of Japanese culture amid today’s international society.
We have an educational system that can respond to people’s expectations. Future students ought to have acquired a thorough knowledge of basic subject matters while in high school. University entrance exams for adult students and exchange students are conducted as well. For more information, please contact the University Educational Affairs Section.
Acquirable Qualifications
Students who graduate from this University receive a bachelor’s degree. Also, students who complete necessary courses will obtain the following qualifications:
- First-Class Junior High School Teacher’s License (Japanese Language)
- First-Class High School Teacher’s License (Japanese Language)
- School Librarian-Teacher Qualifications
