Global Studies, Japan

Unique study opportunities

• Explore the history and culture of another Japanese city during a trip organized by Meiji Gakuin.
• Create a UCEAP special study course with a Meiji Gakuin professor. You'll set up the special study course after you arrive.

Language

Language Study: Optional

Japanese language study is recommended for those with little or no Japanese language background. Courses are offered at beginning, intermediate, and advanced (third year) levels. Beginning and intermediate language courses are assigned lower-division UC credit. Advanced courses are assigned upper-division credit. Lecture courses are 6 quarter/4 semester UC units and practical courses are 1.5 to 3 quarter/ 1 to 2 semester UC units. The practical courses are taken in conjunction with the lecture courses only. Japanese lecture courses meet for four hours per week. Practical courses are usually one or two hours per week.

Courses and credit

Requirements While Abroad

To successfully complete this program:

• Take a full-time course of study: Minimum 21 quarter/14 semester UC units​​
• Most students take 24 to 27 UC quarter units; 5 to 7 courses is average depending on the units of each course.
• You can take one-third (33%) of your courses per term for pass/no pass credit.

Current Program Courses

Each semester approximately 10 to 17 courses are offered through the Faculty of International Studies, where you will take the majority of your courses.

Limited coursework taught in Japanese is available for those with advanced Japanese language ability. These courses are taught at the Shirokane campus, which is approximately a one-hour train ride from Yokohama.

Course registration occurs during the second week of classes at Meiji Gakuin University. You will attend the first week of classes before doing course registration.

Catalogs and resources

• Meiji Gakuin University: This website is usually updated with new course information about a month before the program begins. See the previous terms to get an idea of what each semester offers.
• UCEAP Course Catalog: See a list of courses UC students have taken on this program.
• Campus Credit Abroad: Learn the types of credit (major, minor, general education, elective) students from your campus received at this location.

Academic culture

Japan is a country where courtesy and behavioral propriety are extremely important in social interactions. As a representative of UC, your respect toward teachers and sensitivity to the cultural styles and ethics of Japanese society will make a difference.

Most locals and Japanese professors will avoid correcting offensive or unacceptable behavior. If you have questions about acceptable behavior in Japan, talk to the study center staff.

Students are generally self-motivated and actively engage in related readings, research projects, and other out-of-class endeavors to complement classroom activities. For a successful academic experience, be willing to adapt to Japanese educational traditions and methods of communicating with Japanese instructors.

Grades

You will earn direct UC credit and grades for all coursework. Fall grades are usually available in late January. Spring grades are usually available in early to mid-August.

It is not the Japanese custom for instructors to give detailed comments on written work and final papers, and exams are not usually returned. Rather, the grade itself is generally considered appropriate and adequate feedback. You may ask about your progress in a class, but do not discuss grades with your professors unless invited to do so. Otherwise, it may appear you're trying to negotiate your grade, which is frowned upon. Discuss questions related to grades or other classroom matters and plans for handling them with the UCEAP study center.