Information for prospective students

The B.A. subject Japanese Studies can only be studied in the two-subject model, i.e. it is combined with another subject from this model that is not offered by the Faculty of East Asian Studies. Students can only begin their studies in the first semester in the winter semester, as beginners' language courses are only offered in the winter semester.

The two-subject model includes the so-called Optionalbereich with courses to develop skills beyond the student's own subject, in which students acquire a total of 30 CP (credit points) during the course of their studies. As language skills are not generally a prerequisite for studying Japanese Studies, the Japanese courses in the first year of study are part of the Optionalbereich (worth 20 CP).

In the B.A. phase with a standard period of study of six semesters, the focus is on acquiring language skills and basic academic work skills. After the first year of study, students choose one of the specializations within the subject of Japanese Studies:

Japanese Studies with a focus on Japanese history introduces students to all periods of Japanese history and provides a comprehensive overview of historical developments since antiquity. One focus of teaching is on modern and recent history (17th to 20th century), and in particular on the social, economic and cultural developments during this period.

Japanese Studies with a focus on Japanese linguistics deals with questions of language history, language structure, language type, language affinity etc. in addition to the basics of Japanese linguistics. Students who are planning to complete a Master of Education (M.Ed.) at the Ruhr University following their B.A. degree and choose Japanese as one of their core subjects must focus on Japanese linguistics.

As a second subject in the Bachelor's phase, it is recommended to select a subject whose methodological orientation deepens or complements the study of the specialization within Japanese Studies.

For the focus on Japanese history, subjects from the fields of history, media studies, sociology, political science, economics, etc. are suitable.

For the focus on Japanese linguistics, philological subjects and subjects from the field of linguistics are suitable. Students who are interested in a later M.Ed. should make sure that they choose a second subject that is taught as a school subject. These can be philological subjects (German, English, Romance studies, etc.) or humanities subjects (geography, history, etc.), but natural science subjects such as mathematics, physics, chemistry or biology can also be combined with Japanese studies.

We recommend that you complete the self-check (German) before deciding to study Japanese Studies. The result of the self-check is not relevant for enrollment. Participation is simply certified and the corresponding certificate of participation is uploaded as part of the online enrollment process. The purpose of the self-check is to give prospective students a realistic idea of studying Japanese Studies; it is therefore best for prospective students to answer as honestly as possible in order to receive helpful feedback within the self-check.