Japanese Minor: Northern Kentucky University, Greater Cincinnati Region

Program Type: Undergraduate

Minor Requirements: View Requirements

Department: World Languages and Literatures

In our Japanese minor, students develop language proficiency and critical thinking skills that are indispensable for a variety of career paths: linguistic proficiency to communicate effectively in informal and formal situations in a global environment, cultural awareness and intercultural competence, and appreciation of diversity both in the context of their home culture and globally. Our Japanese minors frequently do majors in Computer Science, International Business, or International Studies. Additionally, the Japanese program and the World Languages and Literatures Department offer many international cultural experiences on campus and in the community throughout the school year that immerse students in the Japanese language and culture.

Program Contacts

Dr. Caryn Connelly
Department Chair
connellyc1@nku.edu

Students in the Spotlight

Austin Mayfield

Graduating Year: 2018

Education: Bachelor of Arts in International Studies with Minors in Japanese, Political Science and Honors

Career: English teacher at a HOPPA Nursery School in Chiba, Japan

"To me, studying a language is intrinsically tied to studying and understanding other cultures, and I think intercultural communication is incredibly important. Being able to understand how people view the world and why they believe things is important, and you need a strong line of communication to be able to make that understanding happen."

View All Stories

Find Your Passions & Build Your Future

Students sitting at tables during a sushi event

Co-curricular Opportunities: We have a very active Japanese Club that plans and organizes events such as the Flower Viewing Party in spring. Japanese exchange students from our partner schools in Japan regularly participate in club activities. The club collaborates with the Japanese School of Greater Cincinnati that is housed on NKU’s campus to promote Japanese cultural events during International Education Week at NKU.
The club also offers leadership opportunities on their executive board. Japanese majors and minors can also join the Phi Sigma Iota international foreign language honor society. Phi Sigma Iota recognizes outstanding accomplishment in the study of foreign language, literature, and culture. PSI offers local and national leadership opportunities, publication opportunities in The Forum, and scholarship funding for study abroad and graduate school. There are approximately 250 chapters of Phi Sigma Iota at institutions of higher learning in the US, Mexico, and France.

Study Abroad: Our Japanese majors and minors benefit from the partnerships that NKU has with Gifu University, Musashi University and Nanzan University in Japan, as well as NKU’s participation in KIIS (Kentucky Institute for International Study), a non-profit faculty-led study abroad consortium of colleges and universities in Kentucky and surrounding states. We also offer funding for study abroad through the Foreign Language Award for International Study (FLAIS). Since it was established in 2005, FLAIS has awarded nearly $40,000 to over 100 language majors and minors to support study abroad experiences. FLAIS is entirely funded by donations from faculty, staff, alumni and community members.
Career Explorations: Students gain practical skills and knowledge in our professions-oriented classes that include Introduction to Translation, Business Japanese, and Japanese for the Professions. We also invite our alumni and working professionals in various careers to speak with current students about job opportunities for language majors.