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JAPAN-MA - Japanese (MA)
Overview
Program Overview
The M.A. program in Japanese is designed for students with strong academic records and an interest in pursuing postgraduate research in Japanese literature or cultural history, but who have not yet acquired the language skills or disciplinary foundation necessary to enter a Ph.D. program.
Students who wish to pursue advanced language training in preparation for postgraduate research in other fields of Japanese studies are referred to the interdisciplinary M.A. program in the Center for East Asian Studies: program.
Director of Graduate Studies
Free Form Requisites
Master of Arts in Japanese
Requirements for the M.A. in Japanese
Complete third-year Japanese with a letter grade of 'B' or higher:
courses
Units
Third-Year Japanese Language, Culture, and Communication, First Quarter
5
Third-Year Japanese Language, Culture, and Communication, Second Quarter
5
Third-Year Japanese Language, Culture, and Communication, Third Quarter
5
Complete fourth-year Japanese and classical Japanese with a letter grade of 'B' or higher:
courses
Units
Fourth-year Japanese (take all of the following):
9-15
Fourth-Year Japanese, First Quarter
Fourth-Year Japanese, Second Quarter
Fourth-Year Japanese, Third Quarter
Classical Japanese (take both of the following):
5-10
Readings in Premodern Japanese
Introduction to Premodern Japanese
Complete the following with a letter grade of 'B' or higher:
courses
Units
course (optional for linguistics students)
Proseminar in East Asian Humanities I: Skills and Methodologies
3
course (optional for linguistics students)
Proseminar in East Asian Humanities II: Current Scholarship
1
course (required only of linguistics students in lieu of or in addition to course)
Research in Japanese Linguistics
3
Four advisor-approved courses in Japanese literature, culture, or linguistics from among the offerings of the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures, not including courses taken to fulfill the language requirement.
Two upper-division or graduate-level courses in fields such as Japanese anthropology, art history, history, philosophy, political science, or religious studies, as approved by the DGS in consultation with the student's individual advisor.
A master's thesis; enroll in course Master's Thesis or Qualifying Paper (1-5 units).
Master of Arts in Japanese, Linguistics Subplan
Requirements for the M.A. in Japanese, Linguistics Subplan
Complete third-year Japanese with a letter grade of 'B' or higher:
courses
Units
Third-Year Japanese Language, Culture, and Communication, First Quarter
5
Third-Year Japanese Language, Culture, and Communication, Second Quarter
5
Third-Year Japanese Language, Culture, and Communication, Third Quarter
5
Complete fourth-year Japanese and one course in classical Japanese with a letter grade of 'B' or higher:
courses
Units
Fourth-year Japanese (take all of the following):
9-15
Fourth-Year Japanese, First Quarter
Fourth-Year Japanese, Second Quarter
Fourth-Year Japanese, Third Quarter
Classical Japanese (take one of the following):
2-10
Readings in Premodern Japanese
Introduction to Premodern Japanese
Complete course Research in Japanese Linguistics (2-5 units).
Complete one course in Japanese literature numbered above 200 offered in the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures with a letter grade of 'B' or higher.
Complete the following with a letter grade of 'B' or higher:
Three advisor-approved courses in Japanese linguistics numbered above 200 from among the offerings of the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures, not including courses taken to fulfill the language requirement.
Three upper-division or graduate-level courses in fields such as linguistics, anthropology, or psychology approved by the student's advisor in consultation with the DGS.
A master's thesis; enroll in course Master's Thesis or Qualifying Paper (1-5 units).
Program Policies
External Credit Policies
Students are to take the Japanese language placement exam, proctored by the Stanford Language Center, for placement into the appropriate level in the Japanese language course series.
Advising Expectations
The Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures is committed to providing academic advising in support of graduate student scholarly and professional development. When most effective, this advising relationship entails collaborative and sustained engagement by both the advisor and the advisee. As a best practice, advising expectations should be periodically discussed and reviewed to ensure mutual understanding. Both the advisor and the advisee are expected to maintain professionalism and integrity.
Faculty advisors and department staff guide students in key areas such as selecting courses, designing and conducting research, developing of teaching pedagogy, navigating policies and degree requirements, and exploring academic opportunities and professional pathways.
Graduate students are active contributors to the advising relationship, proactively seeking academic and professional guidance and taking responsibility for informing themselves of policies and degree requirements for their graduate program.
For a statement of University policy on graduate advising, see the "Graduate Advising" section of the Stanford Bulletin.
Learning Outcomes
Program Learning Outcomes
The purpose of the master's program is to further develop knowledge and skills in East Asian Languages and Cultures and to prepare students for a professional career or doctoral studies. This is achieved through the completion of courses, in the primary field as well as related areas, and experience with independent work and specialization.