Language skills
Programme length
Full time study for one academic year
Study mode
Face-to-face learning
Application status
International students:
Students with Icelandic or Nordic citizenship:
- Do you want to explore a new language?
- Are you interested in the Japanese language?
- Do you want a short and concise diploma programme?
- Are you interested in Japanese literature and culture?
- Do you want to open up future opportunities in challenging careers?
As well as language skills, students are also given an overview of the history, literature and cinema of Japan. Students also gain an insight into Japanese society and culture, learning about daily life in Japan, the family, the status of women, education, the economy, various genres of music, graphic novels, anime, customs and traditions.
After two years of studying Japanese, students should have acquired a good foundation in the language and be equipped for graduate studies in Japanese at a university abroad.
Course topics include:
- Japanese language and language use
- Japanese society and culture
- Japanese cinema
- Japanese history
- Japanese literature
Other
This subject can also be taken as:
Icelandic high school diploma (stúdentspróf) or the equivalent.
The following courses are compulsory, in total 55 ECTS:
- JAP101G Japanese Language I
- JAP102G Written Japanese Language I
- JAP103G Japanese Pronunciation and Listening Comprehension I
- JAP105G Japanese Society and Culture I
- JAP202G Japanese Language II
- JAP203G Written Japanese Language II
- JAP204G Japanese Pronunciation and Listening Comprehension II
- JAP208G Japanese History.
Students must also pick one of these 5 ECTS courses depending on what is offered each year:
- JAP106G Japanese Society and Culture II
- JAP107G Japanese Cinema
- JAP305G Japanese Modern Literature
Programme structure
Check below to see how the programme is structured.
This programme does not offer specialisations.
- Year unspecified
- Fall
- Japanese Society and Culture II
- Japanese Cinema
- Not taught this semesterJapanese Modern Literature
- Japanese Language I
- Written Japanese Language I
- Japanese Pronunciation and Listening Comprehension I
- Japanese Society and Culture I
- Spring 1
- Japanese Language II
- Written Japanese Language II
- Japanese Pronunciation and Listening Comprehension II
- Japanese History
Year unspecified | Fall
Japanese Society and Culture II (JAP106G)
Restricted elective course, conditions apply
5 ECTS, credits
Course Description
The aim of the course is to introduce modern japanese society to the students. Lectures and discussions will be held on topics such as social environment, education system, politics, economics and contemporary culture. Lecturers will vary based on fields of research.
Language of instruction: English
Face-to-face learning
Year unspecified | Fall
Japanese Cinema (JAP107G)
Restricted elective course, conditions apply
5 ECTS, credits
Course Description
This course is a historical overview of Japanese cinema from its origins in 1898 to the present day. Screenings are comprised of films by Japan's most prominent directors such as Ozu Yasujirō, Kurosawa Akira, and Mizoguchi Kenji, alongside examples that reflect important trends in contemporary Japanese film. While the course addresses questions regarding genre, style, and authorship, we will also work to situate these categories within the broader cultural, social, and historical currents of Japanese cinema. Topics include but are not limited to, the impact of WWII and occupation on Japanese filmmaking, the studio system, and the Japanese New Wave.
Teaching language is English.
Language of instruction: English
Face-to-face learning
Not taught this semester
Year unspecified | Fall
Japanese Modern Literature (JAP305G)
Restricted elective course, conditions apply
5 ECTS, credits
Course Description
This course aims to introduce students to the various forms of literary writing in modern Japanese, focusing on the development of modern Japanese fiction. Readings will cover Japanese short stories and novels in translation, from Meiji onwards, but with a particular focus on the 20th Century to the present day. Students will be encouraged to consider the changing relationship between literature and society in modern Japan, as well as the various movements and styles which have shaped the history of modern Japanese fiction. Each class will include both an introductory lecture and a discussion of a selected literary texts, which are required reading for the course.
Students will also have to read at least one longer work, on which they will have written their final assignment.
Language of instruction: English
Face-to-face learning
Year unspecified | Fall
Japanese Language I (JAP101G)
A mandatory (required) course for the programme
10 ECTS, credits
Course Description
Introduction to Japanese grammar and syntax. Emphasis on spoken language and the vocabulary of everyday life. Frequent tests and and practice lectures.
Note that information about the teacher will be updated in spring 2024.
Language of instruction: English
Face-to-face learning
Year unspecified | Fall
Written Japanese Language I (JAP102G)
A mandatory (required) course for the programme
6 ECTS, credits
Course Description
Introduction to kana and kanji. Emphasis will be placed on the vocabulary of everyday life and the reading and writing of simple texts.
Language of instruction: English
Face-to-face learning
Attendance required in class
Year unspecified | Fall
Japanese Pronunciation and Listening Comprehension I (JAP103G)
A mandatory (required) course for the programme
4 ECTS, credits
Course Description
Listening comprehension and pronounciation exercises. Exercises in the language laboratory and check ups along with quizzes in the classroom.
Note that information about the teacher will be updated in spring 2024.
Language of instruction: English
Face-to-face learning
Attendance required in class
Year unspecified | Fall
Japanese Society and Culture I (JAP105G)
A mandatory (required) course for the programme
5 ECTS, credits
Course Description
The aim of the course is to provide the students with an insight into various aspects of Japanese society and culture, both in the past and in the present. The course covers themes such as identity, education, religion, rituals and arts in Japan.
Language of instruction: English
Face-to-face learning
Year unspecified | Spring 1
Japanese Language II (JAP202G)
A mandatory (required) course for the programme
10 ECTS, credits
Course Description
This course is a continuation of Japanese language I. It mainly focuses on going over grammar of the beginners level. There will be quizzes regularly in class.
Note that information about the teacher will be updated in spring 2024.
Language of instruction: English
Face-to-face learning
Prerequisites
Attendance required in class
Year unspecified | Spring 1
Written Japanese Language II (JAP203G)
A mandatory (required) course for the programme
6 ECTS, credits
Course Description
This course is a continuation of Written Japanese Language I. It mainly focuses on going over Kanji and Kanji idioms, reading and writing of the beginners level. There will be quizzes regularly in class.
Language of instruction: English
Face-to-face learning
Prerequisites
Attendance required in class
Year unspecified | Spring 1
Japanese Pronunciation and Listening Comprehension II (JAP204G)
A mandatory (required) course for the programme
4 ECTS, credits
Course Description
This course is a continuation of Japanese Pronunciation and Listening Comprehension I. It mainly focuses on pronunciation and speaking.
Note that information about the teacher will be updated in spring 2024.
Language of instruction: English
Face-to-face learning
Prerequisites
Attendance required in class
Year unspecified | Spring 1
Japanese History (JAP208G)
A mandatory (required) course for the programme
10 ECTS, credits
Course Description
The course presents an historical overview of Japan from prehistory up until modern times. Emphasis will be on main historical turning points as well as socio cultural developments. The main aim of the course is that students gain an understanding of the social forces which have helped shape the current Japanese cultural environment and the implications therein. Student presentations will play a hefty role along with lectures and students will assist each other in composing synopsis in order to prepare for the final exam. In writing a research paper students will have the opportunity to develop an in-depth knowledge of a theme of their choice.
Language of instruction: English
Face-to-face learning
Year unspecified
- Fall
- JAP106GJapanese Society and Culture IIRestricted elective course5Restricted elective course, conditions apply5 ECTS, creditsCourse Description
The aim of the course is to introduce modern japanese society to the students. Lectures and discussions will be held on topics such as social environment, education system, politics, economics and contemporary culture. Lecturers will vary based on fields of research.
Face-to-face learningPrerequisitesJAP107GJapanese CinemaRestricted elective course5Restricted elective course, conditions apply5 ECTS, creditsCourse DescriptionThis course is a historical overview of Japanese cinema from its origins in 1898 to the present day. Screenings are comprised of films by Japan's most prominent directors such as Ozu Yasujirō, Kurosawa Akira, and Mizoguchi Kenji, alongside examples that reflect important trends in contemporary Japanese film. While the course addresses questions regarding genre, style, and authorship, we will also work to situate these categories within the broader cultural, social, and historical currents of Japanese cinema. Topics include but are not limited to, the impact of WWII and occupation on Japanese filmmaking, the studio system, and the Japanese New Wave.
Teaching language is English.
Face-to-face learningPrerequisitesNot taught this semesterJAP305GJapanese Modern LiteratureRestricted elective course5Restricted elective course, conditions apply5 ECTS, creditsCourse DescriptionThis course aims to introduce students to the various forms of literary writing in modern Japanese, focusing on the development of modern Japanese fiction. Readings will cover Japanese short stories and novels in translation, from Meiji onwards, but with a particular focus on the 20th Century to the present day. Students will be encouraged to consider the changing relationship between literature and society in modern Japan, as well as the various movements and styles which have shaped the history of modern Japanese fiction. Each class will include both an introductory lecture and a discussion of a selected literary texts, which are required reading for the course.
Students will also have to read at least one longer work, on which they will have written their final assignment.
Face-to-face learningPrerequisitesJAP101GJapanese Language IMandatory (required) course10A mandatory (required) course for the programme10 ECTS, creditsCourse DescriptionIntroduction to Japanese grammar and syntax. Emphasis on spoken language and the vocabulary of everyday life. Frequent tests and and practice lectures.
Note that information about the teacher will be updated in spring 2024.
Face-to-face learningPrerequisitesJAP102GWritten Japanese Language IMandatory (required) course6A mandatory (required) course for the programme6 ECTS, creditsCourse DescriptionIntroduction to kana and kanji. Emphasis will be placed on the vocabulary of everyday life and the reading and writing of simple texts.
Face-to-face learningPrerequisitesAttendance required in classJAP103GJapanese Pronunciation and Listening Comprehension IMandatory (required) course4A mandatory (required) course for the programme4 ECTS, creditsCourse DescriptionListening comprehension and pronounciation exercises. Exercises in the language laboratory and check ups along with quizzes in the classroom.
Note that information about the teacher will be updated in spring 2024.
Face-to-face learningPrerequisitesAttendance required in classJAP105GJapanese Society and Culture IMandatory (required) course5A mandatory (required) course for the programme5 ECTS, creditsCourse DescriptionThe aim of the course is to provide the students with an insight into various aspects of Japanese society and culture, both in the past and in the present. The course covers themes such as identity, education, religion, rituals and arts in Japan.
Face-to-face learningPrerequisites- Spring 2
JAP202GJapanese Language IIMandatory (required) course10A mandatory (required) course for the programme10 ECTS, creditsCourse DescriptionThis course is a continuation of Japanese language I. It mainly focuses on going over grammar of the beginners level. There will be quizzes regularly in class.
Note that information about the teacher will be updated in spring 2024.
Face-to-face learningPrerequisitesAttendance required in classJAP203GWritten Japanese Language IIMandatory (required) course6A mandatory (required) course for the programme6 ECTS, creditsCourse DescriptionThis course is a continuation of Written Japanese Language I. It mainly focuses on going over Kanji and Kanji idioms, reading and writing of the beginners level. There will be quizzes regularly in class.
Face-to-face learningPrerequisitesAttendance required in classJAP204GJapanese Pronunciation and Listening Comprehension IIMandatory (required) course4A mandatory (required) course for the programme4 ECTS, creditsCourse DescriptionThis course is a continuation of Japanese Pronunciation and Listening Comprehension I. It mainly focuses on pronunciation and speaking.
Note that information about the teacher will be updated in spring 2024.
Face-to-face learningPrerequisitesAttendance required in classJAP208GJapanese HistoryMandatory (required) course10A mandatory (required) course for the programme10 ECTS, creditsCourse DescriptionThe course presents an historical overview of Japan from prehistory up until modern times. Emphasis will be on main historical turning points as well as socio cultural developments. The main aim of the course is that students gain an understanding of the social forces which have helped shape the current Japanese cultural environment and the implications therein. Student presentations will play a hefty role along with lectures and students will assist each other in composing synopsis in order to prepare for the final exam. In writing a research paper students will have the opportunity to develop an in-depth knowledge of a theme of their choice.
Face-to-face learningPrerequisitesAdditional information The University of Iceland collaborates with over 400 universities worldwide. This provides a unique opportunity to pursue part of your studies at an international university thus gaining added experience and fresh insight into your field of study.
Students generally have the opportunity to join an exchange programme, internship, or summer courses. However, exchanges are always subject to faculty approval.
Students have the opportunity to have courses evaluated as part of their studies at the University of Iceland, so their stay does not have to affect the duration of their studies.
Knowledge of the Japanese language and culture is useful for working in business, international affairs and tourism, to name a few examples.
An education in this area can open up opportunities in:
- Tourism
- International affairs
- Tour guiding
- Translation
- Interpreting
- Business
- Imports and exports
This list is not exhaustive.
- The organisation for students of Japanese is called Banzai.
- You can find Bonzai on Facebook
Students' comments 
It started out as a hobby but quickly turned into a passion. What struck me first and foremost was the passion that the teachers have for their work. Their interest in the subject is really contagious, and after the first lecture there is no turning back. The group of students is small but the social spirit is great, and it is a pleasure to study within a group that shares an interest in language as well as Japanese culture.
I have always been interested in Japanese culture and literature, so it was a logical step to choose a BA study program in Japanese language and culture at the University of Iceland. One of the best things about the program is that it provides a unique opportunity to learn the language from three great teachers, all of whom have Japanese as their mother tongue. The course offers a very interesting course on Japanese culture, history and filmmaking, which I find very enjoyable. Since all the courses are taught in English, the group of students is very diverse and I am so lucky to be part of this amazing group.Helpful content 
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