About
This certificate is a great opportunity to demonstrate basic communication skills in Japanese, with courses focused on strengthening listening, reading, speaking and writing skills, and to learn more about Japanese culture. You will also have the opportunity to choose from a list of stimulating courses in Japanese history, popular culture and cinema. If you choose to complete a degree, completion of this certificate will add an international aspect, providing you with a unique skill set to distinguish yourself on the job market or in teaching.
- Two-year certificate
- Part-time program
- You can enter this program directly from high school
- You can begin this program at the Prince Albert campus, off-campus locations or online
What you will learn
You will develop Japanese grammar by developing your writing, reading, listening, and speaking skills, starting from the introductory through the intermediate level. You will focus on becoming familiar with the Japanese sounds and language structures by mastering hiragana, katakana writing systems along with 43 kanji (Chinese characters). You will also have the chance to choose among 200-level courses that will help you gain greater insight into Japanese history, popular culture and cinema, appreciate diversity and respect other ways of being, doing and expressing oneself.
JPNS 217: Intermediate Japanese II
Students will learn more complex grammar patterns and kanji (Chinese characters), and how to communicate more confidently and express themselves using the skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking. They will also learn more about Japanese culture and customs. By the end of the course, they will have acquired a level similar to the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test Level N4.
JPNS 233: Popular Culture and Cinema in Japan
This course explores Japanese popular culture from the 1950s through to the present. It helps students improve academic knowledge about Japanese culture and history and develop their knowledge of the popular culture and films of Japan.
HIST 296: Japanese History from 1600 to Yesterday
This course introduces students to the history of Japanese civilization during the early modern and modern periods. Using written records, archaeological relics, objects of material culture and art from roughly 1603 to the present, the course investigates topics including technology, from swords and guns to cameras, microchips and robots; governance (generals, restoration of the empire and constitutional monarchy); religion (Buddhism, Shintō, Christianity, and new religions); systems of thought; food (sushi and western food like tempura), language, daily life, social forms, identity, gender, the state, art, literature, architecture, and historiography.
The Course and Program Catalogue has the complete and official listing of required classes and their descriptions for this program.
Intercultural engagement
The department of Languages, Literatures and Cultural Studies is engaged in fostering critical literacy and intercultural engagement and is dedicated to providing students with the skills and knowledge necessary to develop transdisciplinary understandings about society and culture. With faculty members specializing in Japanese history or popular culture and cinema, you are promised a variety of insights into the Japanese society and literary world.
Teaching excellence
Our faculty members engage in research in a range of fields and time periods, and are nationally- and internationally renowned scholars, while also being committed to quality instruction. Our instructors are regular nominees and recipients of USSU Teaching Excellence Awards, and you will reap the full benefit of your studies, both academically and socially, through small-class instruction.
Hands-on approach
Your involvement beyond the classroom is an integral part of our teaching philosophy. Students may be invited to teach Japanese conversational classes as tutorial leaders and to participate in Japanese Speech Contests, at the Alberta Regional Contest and at the Canada National Contest, where they could win prizes. Through study abroad programs, our students can have the opportunity to study and live in Japan, while receiving credits toward a University of Saskatchewan degree.
Career preparation
Because Japan is one of Canada's important business partners, whether your career will be in business, tech and gaming industry or the arts, learning Japanese will give you an advantage in your career.
It's fun and rewarding!
Learning Japanese will bring you closer to Japanese culture. You'll be able to understand better Japan's traditions, literature, history, food and pop culture, including cinema, manga and anime.
Careers
With additional studies, some career opportunities include:
- Bilingual customer support officer
- Cultural events coordinator
- Foreign service officer
- International relations consultant
- International student advisor
- Journalist
- Lawyer
- Marketing and communications professions
- Professions in the gaming industry
- Researcher
- Speech pathologist and speech therapist
- Tour guide
- Translator
- Travel agent
Tuition estimates
| Canadian students | International students | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $746 per 3 credit unit class | $3,611 per 3 credit unit class |
| Student fees | $1,121 per year | $1,121 per year |
Tuition will vary depending on the type and number of classes you take in a year. This estimate reflects a typical amount you could expect to pay per class (2024-2025 Canadian dollar rates).
Student fees are used to fund specific student benefits, including health, vision and dental coverage, a bus pass, recreational programs and fitness centre access. This estimate reflects the price you would pay if you are a full-time student.
The cost of books and supplies varies widely depending on the courses you choose. It is recommended that you budget between $1,500-$2,500 for this program.
Program options
The Certificate in Japanese Language and Culture is offered by the University of Saskatchewan's College of Arts and Science. You may earn the certificate on its own, concurrently with a degree, or after having already received a degree from here or another institution.
If you are already enrolled at USask, consult your academic advisor regarding enrolling in this program.
The Course and Program Catalogue has the complete and official listing of required classes and their descriptions for this program.
Admission requirements and deadlines
Deadlines
Ready to apply?
If you are a current USask student, consult your academic advisor about enrolling in this program.
To apply to this program as a new student, create an admissions account and apply for admission to any undergraduate program in the College of Arts and Science. When you are ready to submit your application, you will be assessed a non-refundable application fee of $90 CAD. (Effective December 2, the application fee is increasing to $120 CAD.) After you are admitted, declare your plans to the college.
If you are interested in more information about this certificate, please contact student-advice@artsandscience.usask.ca