BA in Japanese in Santa Barbara United States | University of California, Santa Barbara

As a participant in the Japanese studies program, you'll engage in rigorous language instruction and multidisciplinary studies focused on Japan. Your coursework will span broad historical and geographical perspectives, covering ancient, modern, and current eras. You'll explore Japan's society, historical development, literary works, and cultural expressions within both local and global frameworks, utilizing analytical approaches from various humanities and social science disciplines. The Department of East Asian Languages and Cultural Studies provides fundamental resources for examining the intricate cultures of China, Japan, and Korea. Our program teaches East Asian languages and writing systems while examining concepts like modernization, colonial history, national identity, and government development in relation to traditional cultural practices. Students learn methods for analyzing classical and contemporary artistic expressions, literature, cinema, media, and mass culture. We examine spiritual traditions (such as Buddhism, Confucianism, and Daoism) and philosophical discussions (including governance theories and scientific thought) that have influenced East Asian worldviews and daily practices for generations - some abandoned during industrialization, others still vibrant in contemporary East Asian societies.