Introduction to the Major
The Japanese Language major trains students on the humanistic investigation of major East Asian traditions through a curriculum that focuses on the modern and classical forms of the language; reading works in their historical and cultural contexts; and introducing students to the vast array of artistic, literary and philosophical traditions of East Asia and their transformations in modernity.
UC Berkeley is a world-renowned center for the study of East Asian Humanities. Whether you want to master Japanese, immerse yourself in the literary traditions of East Asia, absorb the profound insights of its philosophical and historical texts, or come to a deeper understanding of the modern and contemporary visuals and sonic media cultures of this complex and vital region, EALC has something for you.
Additional Options
- If you are interested in the language or culture but choose not to major in Japanese, ask about our minors in Buddhist Studies, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Tibetan.
- If you are interested in the Japanese language and wish to focus on Japanese religion and philosophy, consider the East Asian Religion, Thought and Culture major.
Amplify Your Major
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Immerse yourself in Japanese culture with the Pan Pacific Foundation Homestay Program in Japan.
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Publish your work in the Berkeley Student Journal of Asian Studies.
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Get international work experience with a Berkeley Global Internship in Tokyo.
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Visit the Institute of East Asian Studies, the C.V. Starr East Asian Library, and other Friends+Partners of EALC.
First Year
Explore Your Major
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Meet with your major and college advisor to discuss your academic plans.
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Familiarize yourself with the major and college requirements.
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Take the Japanese language placement exam.
Connect and Build Community
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Get 1:1 mentoring with Berkeley Connect.
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Find study groups, tutoring, and academic support at the Student Learning Center.
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Check out the Berkeley Language Center.
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Attend a Center for Japanese Studies event.
Discover Your Passions
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Discover new interests in a Freshman Seminar or student-run DeCal course.
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Visit the Office of Undergraduate Research and Scholarships.
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Explore the collections of Berkeley’s C.V. Starr East Asian Library.
Engage Locally and Globally
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Get involved with Words in Action hosted by Berkeley Language Center.
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Explore study, internship, and research abroad options with Berkeley Study Abroad.
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Visit the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco.
- Apply for a Pan Pacific Foundation Japan homestay.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
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Visit Berkeley Career Engagement and the Career Counseling Library.
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Develop a plan for getting career ready.
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Set up a Handshake account and sign up for CareerMail.
- Explore career fields in the Career Connections Networking Series.
Second Year
Explore Your Major
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Complete the lower division prerequisite Japanese language and literature courses and declare the major.
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Complete the lower division Japanese language and literature requirements.
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Review the major guidelines for study abroad.
Connect and Build Community
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Join student groups like the Cal Japan Club.
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Get to know professors and graduate student instructors during their office hours.
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Check out the Institute of East Asian Studies.
- Practice your language skills in the SLC Language Exchange Program.
Discover Your Passions
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Continue exploring with a Sophomore Seminar, Big Ideas Course or Discovery Course.
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Assist faculty in their research through URAP.
Engage Locally and Globally
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Contribute to a community organization with an American Cultures Engaged Scholarship course.
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Check out the Public Service Center.
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Explore the Oakland Asian Cultural Center.
- Apply to the Boren or Critical Language Scholarship in Japanese.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
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Discuss career options and goals with a Career Educator.
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Shadow alumni in the Cal Job Shadow Program.
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Learn about graduate and professional school. See Step-by-Step for planning help.
- Think about doing an internship and attend an internship fair.
Third Year
Explore Your Major
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Review your degree progress with your major and college advisors.
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Focus on upper division Japanese Language and Literature and elective course requirements.
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Ask your major advisor about the honors program.
Connect and Build Community
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Browse the Friends + Partners research institutes associated with EALC.
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Consider becoming a Golden Bear Orientation Leader and welcome new students to UC Berkeley.
Discover Your Passions
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Curious about entrepreneurship? Enroll in HUM120: Entrepreneurship for All.
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Find research and funding opportunities in the OURS database.
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Planning a senior thesis or project? Apply to the Haas Scholars Program or SURF.
Engage Locally and Globally
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Explore East Asian cultures in the Bay Area.
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Apply to become a language tutor within the department.
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Serve as a summer camp counselor in Japan with TOKIHA.
- Get international work experience with a Berkeley Global Internship in Tokyo.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
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Learn about career fields and conduct informational interviews with people in those fields.
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Discuss graduate school options with advisors and professors.
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Create or update your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- Attend career and graduate school fairs.
Fourth Year
Explore Your Major
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Do a degree check to ensure you are on track to graduate.
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Complete any “bucket list” courses.
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Finish remaining major, college, and campus requirements.
- Complement your major with a certificate, course thread, or summer minor.
Connect and Build Community
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Get support for your thesis project in the Townsend Honors Thesis Workshop.
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Connect with alumni groups and build your network as you prepare to graduate.
Discover Your Passions
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Teach your own DeCal course.
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Undertake an optional honors thesis or independent study.
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Publish your work in the Berkeley Student Journal of Asian Studies.
- Keep pursuing your interests through a fellowship or gap year after graduation.
Engage Locally and Globally
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Hone your leadership skills with the Peter E. Haas Public Service Leaders program.
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Explore service opportunities after graduation, such as the JET Program, Peace Corps, Teach for America, or U.S. Department of State.
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Apply for a scholarship to the Japan America Student Conference.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
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Utilize job board tools in your job search.
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Ask professors and graduate student instructors for recommendation letters.
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Attend Employer Info Sessions and On-Campus Recruiting.
- Apply to jobs, graduate school, and other opportunities.
Jobs and Employers
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Behavioral Therapist, THC
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Career in Corporate Environment
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English Teacher
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Import/Export Business
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Media Analyst, Lifestreet
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Other, Facebook
Graduate Programs
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Asian Studies, MA
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Buddhist Studies, PhD
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Business, MBA
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Computer Engineering, Masters
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Foreign Languages, Masters
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Foreign Languages & Literatures, Masters
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Japanese Language & Literature, PhD
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Law, JD
Examples gathered from the First Destination Survey of recent Berkeley graduates.
Connect With Us
Cal Day
Come to Berkeley’s annual Open House in April for information sessions, campus tours, special talks, and more.
Golden Bear Orientation
Join your peers in the campus-wide UC Berkeley orientation program for all new students.
Events
Attend department events with students, staff, and faculty. Visit ealc.berkeley.edu for news and updates.
Advising
Students can sign up for advising appointments with an advisor by visiting https://calendly.com/ealc_advising
Email questions to ealc-advising@berkeley.edu.
Advising Drop-In Hours
Monday-Friday, 9am-12pm, 1-4pm.
For general information about the major, visit ealc.berkeley.edu/programs/undergraduate.
How to Use this Map
Use this map to help plan and guide your experience at UC Berkeley, including academic, co-curricular, and discovery opportunities. Everyone’s Berkeley experience is different and activities in this map are suggestions. Always consult with your advisors whenever possible for new opportunities and updates.
