First-Year Japanese This course is an introduction to the modern Japanese language aimed at acquisition of the four basic skills speaking, listening comprehension, reading, and writing. The emphasis is on thorough mastery of the basic structures of Japanese through intensive oral-aural practice and extensive use of audiovisual materials. The two kana syllabaries and kanji (characters) will be introduced toward the goals of developing reading skills and reinforcing grammar and vocabulary acquisition.

First-Year Japanese   This course is an intensive continuation of JAPN 0101.  This course is required for those students wishing to take JAPN 0103 in the Spring.

First-Year Japanese This course is a continuation of the fall and winter terms with the introduction of more advanced grammatical structures, vocabulary, and characters. The continuing emphasis of the beginning Japanese course will be upon acquisition of well-balanced language skills based on an understanding of the actual use of the language in the Japanese sociocultural context.

Current Social Issues in Japan (in English) In this course we will use ethnography, fiction, and historical studies to examine some of the underlying themes of Japanese culture. Japan is a highly developed, post-industrial society renowned across the globe for economic success in the post-World War II period. What historical and social factors have shaped Japan’s contemporary culture, and how have interactions with other countries influenced Japanese society? We will study a number of different spheres of Japanese life including the family and the workplace to better understand contemporary society. We will pay special attention to Japan’s global position and its relationship to the United States. 3 hr. lect./disc.

Second-Year Japanese The goals of the intermediate course are to develop the ability to understand conversational Japanese at natural speed, to express oneself accurately and smoothly in various situations, to read nontechnical materials at reasonable speed with the use of the dictionary, and to express oneself in writing with relative ease. Understanding of Japanese culture will be broadened and deepened through mastery of the course materials.

Second-Year Japanese This course is a continuation of JAPN 0201.

Introduction to Japanese Linguistics (in English) In this course, we will explore the structure and usage of Japanese through speech and text samples from media, entertainment, and everyday communication. We will analyze speech sounds (phonetics/phonology), word formation (morphology), sentence formation (syntax), and larger structures (discourse), alongside current research on vocabulary (lexicon) and meaning (semantics). Students will develop problem-solving and reasoning skills by applying linguistic theories to various data, learning to formulate research questions and support arguments with evidence. Through comparing Japanese with English and other languages, students will engage in discussions about the similarities and differences among diverse human communication systems. This course is taught in English; no Japanese or linguistics knowledge is required.

Modern and Contemporary Japanese Women Writers A thousand years ago, women writers dominated the Japanese literary world. Then, for centuries, their skill was discounted, their works overlooked, and their voices silenced. Starting with the nineteenth century, however, Japanese women writers started to reclaim their grandmothers’ heritage. They took the male-dominated literary world by assault, pushing boundaries, drawing on their literary legacy and reinventing it, resisting the label of “women’s literature” so often pejoratively attached to their works.  In this course we will explore these figures of resistance and their multilayered works in the context of the changing socio-political conditions that shaped women’s positions in Japanese society.

Sex and Death in Classical Japanese Culture In this course we will examine the topics of sex and death in classical Japanese literature and culture, starting with the earliest creation myths of the 8th century, continuing with the masterpieces of the Heian period (794-1185), and culminating with the vibrant culture of the Edo period (1600-1868). We will explore a variety of genres, including poetry, courtly romances and warrior tales, noh and jōruri drama, short stories and novellas, emaki painted scrolls, and early modern woodblock prints, focusing on the ways in which sex and death come to be addressed and represented in classical Japanese culture.Taught in English.

Japanese Religions We will begin our study of Japanese religions with the ancient mythology that forms the basis of Shinto (the way of the kami, or gods). We will then consider the introduction of Buddhism, Confucianism, and Daoism to Japan and examine how these traditions were accepted, absorbed, and adapted. We will also investigate Japanese reactions to Christianity in the 16th century and the appearance of "new" Japanese religions starting in the 19th century. Throughout, we will ask how and why Japanese have both adhered to tradition and been open to new religions.

Rethinking the Body in Contemporary Japan (In English) In this course we will examine attitudes toward and tensions related to the human body in Japan. Looking at art, music, style, and social issues we will examine the symbolic as well as material concerns of bodies in contemporary Japan. Religious, historical, martial, and aesthetic understandings of bodies will be addressed. We will analyze Japan's current attitudes toward organ transplantation, treatment of the deceased, plastic surgery, surrogacy, sex change surgery and other embodied practices. Readings will include Twice Dead and Commodifying Bodies.

Emotion in Japanese, Spoken and Unspoken (taught in English) How do our emotions surface in speech and text? To what extent are they explicit or implicit? How do linguistic and cultural differences affect how we express our feelings? In this course, we will examine various forms of sentiments in Japanese and beyond through the lens of cognitive linguistics, the scientific study of language and mind. Students will be able to analyze the language of visual, auditory and gustatory experiences depicted in various genres, including haiku, popular songs, food magazines, manga and online communication. We will be reading classical and contemporary articles on sound symbolism, emotion nouns and adjectives, metaphor, and recent stylistic changes, among other topics. Class meetings consist of lectures and in-class discussions in English.

Identity, Memory, and the Image of Home in Modern Okinawa Literature (taught in English) In this course we will investigate the validity of Okinawan literature as a genre, its relation to Japanese literature, as well as the relevance of colonialism/postcolonialism as a methodology for approaching Okinawan literature. Through reading modern Okinawan literary works and critical texts, we will explore a variety of themes, including identity, national community, war narrative/memory, and the concept of home. The course requires that students engage in close reading and analysis of literary fiction and criticism. By the end of the course, students will have acquired knowledge of Okinawan literature, its history, and society, as well as the skill of critical literary analysis. Taught in English.

Voices from the Margin: Ethnic, Cultural, and Social Minorities in Japanese Literature (in English) In this course we will explore how modern and contemporary Japanese writers articulate identities that are marginal in terms of ethnicity, sexuality, and/or socio-economic status. We will not only “listen” to individual voices of the “outsiders” through reading selected literary works, but also grasp corresponding social contexts wherein policies, debates, as well as movements related to those living on the margins have taken place. The course requires that students engage in close reading and analysis of literary fiction and criticism. By the end of the course, students will have acquired knowledge of minority groups in contemporary Japan, as well as the skill of critical literary analysis.Taught in English.

History of Pre-Modern Japan In this course we will explore the social, cultural, and institutional history of Japan from the eighth century up through the rise of the Tokugawa shogunate in the 17th century. The course is organized thematically to illuminate the different periods of Japanese history, including the imperial origin myth and Heian culture, the frontier and the rise of samurai government, localism and the warring states period, and finally the Tokugawa settlement and the paradoxes of centralized feudalism.  Pre-1800.

History of Modern Japan, 1850-1945 This course reviews the major events and enduring questions of modern Japanese history beginning with the Meiji Restoration (1868) up to Japan’s defeat in World War II (1945).  Through a variety of materials, including novels, philosophy, historical essays, and films, we will explore the formation of the modern Japanese nation-state, the “invention of tradition” in constructing a modern national identity, Japan’s colonial incursions into East Asia, 1920s mass culture, the consolidation of fascism in the 1930s, and the transwar legacies of early postwar Japan. We will pay particular attention to the relationship between transformations within Japan and larger global trends.

History of Postwar Japan, 1945-2000 In this course we will study the important developments in the postwar history of Japan, including: the Allied Occupation, Japan’s place in the Cold War order, high economic growth, radical politics in the 1960s, the 1980s “bubble economy” and the “lost decade” of the 1990s. As we study these different periods, we will also reflect on the contested meaning of “postwar” (sengo) as it transformed over time.  Historiographical texts and lectures will highlight the organizing themes for each week, while primary and cultural sources will provide topics for weekly discussion and paper assignments. Lecture, 2.5 hours

Gender in Japan (in English) In this course we will examine changing ideas about gender and sexuality in Japan in the 10th through 20th centuries, with special attention to the modern period. Sources will include literary texts, films, and social/historical studies. We will discuss topics, including women's writing in classical Japan; the commercialization of sexuality in the 18th century; ideas of "homosexuality" in late-medieval and modern times; and women's social roles and political struggles in the 20th century. 3 hr. lect./disc.

Reading Japanese Culture through Anime In this course we will explore contemporary Japanese culture through the lens of Anime Studies.  We will employ historical, literary, linguistic, and anthropological perspectives,  as well as interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary approaches  (Gender Studies, Cultural Studies, Film and Media Studies, and Fan Studies).  We will watch, read, and study both stand-alone anime movies, as well as selected episodes from anime series, to understand the cultural and historical contexts that generated these works and how they in turn shape national and international media culture.

Making Sense of Race and Ethnicity in Japan In this course we will examine and come to understand ideas about ethnicity and race in Japan using a critical historical approach. Probing the categorization of various groups in Japan provides insight into Japan’s diverse population and at the same time helps students see the historical and cultural specificities of racial categories across cultures. Students will read historical and contemporary texts on Korean Japanese, burakumin, new immigrants, and other groups, and examine both the development of these often-marginalized identity categories and the challenges faced by people considered “other” in Japan today.

Sustainable Japan: Nature, Culture, and Environment (taught in English) In this course we will examine the interplay of culture, nature, and human responses to environmental limitations and possibilities in the context of Japan. Students will study the historical and environmental conditions that shape contemporary Japan, focusing on specific case studies of environmental crisis and recovery. Student groups working within a project-based learning framework will research specific green and sustainable practices and projects in Japan and create learning segments and presentations to share with the class and other community members interested in Japan and the environment. Texts such as Japan: An Environmental History, Totman and Just Enough: Lessons in Living Green from Traditional Japan, Brown will be used. This course will be taught in English. This course is part of the Public Humanities Labs Initiative administered by the Axinn Center for the Humanities.*

The Tale of Genji (in English) /The Tale of Genji/ is the world’s first psychological novel. This rich narrative centers on the political intrigues and passionate love affairs of Genji, a fictional prince barred from the throne.  In this course we will explore the narrative through a close reading in English translation. Students will gain knowledge of the aesthetic, religious, and social contexts of the Heian period, one of the most vibrant eras in Japanese culture. We will also trace how Genji monogatari has been interpreted over ten centuries in art, theater, films, and  most recently, manga.  (Formerly JAPN 0190) 3hrs. lect/disc.  This course is part of the Public Humanities Labs Initiative administered by the Axinn Center for the Humanities.

Third-Year Japanese This advanced course aims to increase the student's proficiency in modern standard Japanese, both spoken and written. A variety of written and audiovisual materials will be used to consolidate and expand mastery of more advanced grammatical points and vocabulary. Oral presentation, discussion, and composition in Japanese are also important components of the course.

Third-Year Japanese This course is a continuation of JAPN 0301.

Variation and Change in Japanese (In English) What can linguistic change tell us about human cognition and behavior? How does the notion of “politeness” vary across communities? How do speakers of Japanese perform gender and other social identities?  In this course we will address linguistic diversity and dynamism by examining the Japanese language. Topics include workplace discourse and change in honorific systems. Employing classic works in linguistics and addressing contemporary cultural materials such as manga and J-drama we will apply theoretical frameworks from (socio-)pragmatics, historical linguistics and linguistic typology to gain a deeper understanding of how and why Japanese has developed to its present forms and uses. Students with an interest in linguistics, or in teaching and learning language, or science in general, may also enjoy the analytical approach. (No prerequisites. JAPN0103 above or equivalent recommended). Heritage speakers are also welcome.

Tokyo: Between History and Utopia In this course we will explore the history of Tokyo—from its "prehistory" as a small castle town in the 16th century to the cosmopolitan metropolis of the 20th century—and trace how Tokyo has captured the imagination as a space of possibility, of play, and for many, of decadence. Through a range of sources, including films, novels, ethnographies, and historical essays, we will use Tokyo as a "site" (both urban and ideological) through which to explore broader questions related to capitalist modernity, the formation of the nation-state, cultural identity, gender politics, and mass-culture.

Global Japanese Culture (in English) In this course we will examine the transformation of Japanese cultural identity (Japanese-ness) as products, ideas, and people move across the borders in and out of Japan. Social scientists have been particularly interested in the Japanizing of non-Japanese practices and products such as hip hop and hamburgers, as well as the popularity of Japanese styles and products on the global scene. We will take an anthropological approach using texts such as Millennial Monsters, Remade in Japan, and Hip Hop Japan to examine the issues of cultural hybridity, identity, and globalization.

Advanced Japanese In this course we will read, analyze, and discuss advanced Japanese materials from a variety of modern and contemporary sources.

This course is a continuation of JAPN 0401.

Workshop in Literary Translation Literary translation is a valuable but often neglected skill for advanced language learners.  In this workshop we will consider the basic theoretical arguments in translation studies influencing translation styles and then practice translation in a variety of literary genres.   Sessions will include discussions of translation strategies and active peer critique of sample translations.  Each student will produce a substantial translation as the semester project.  Topics covered will include: text selection, translation ethics, practical methodologies, and publishing industry standards.

Advanced Reading in Japanese Studies In this course students will read original materials in a variety of disciplines and develop skills to analyze and discuss them in Japanese. Advanced listening practice, oral presentation and academic writing will also be emphasized.  (Approval only) 3 hrs. disc.

Expressive Japanese In this seminar, we engage in an in-depth exploration of the psychological dimensions of Japanese expressions across various genres, such as gastronomy, music, arts, fictions and science. We analyze how states, events and causation, as well as sensory experience (taste, sound, vision, emotion) are conveyed in language through cross-linguistic and cross-cultural comparison, critical reading. Students will investigate often-overlooked aspects of Japanese, including motion verbs, emotion adjectives, logical connectives, modality markers and figurative speech, while drawing on their own thematic interests. Activities include quizzes, exercises, discussions, presentations and projects. This class is taught primarily in Japanese.

Introduction to Butoh Dance This course is an introduction to the fundamental principles of butoh dance. Butoh is a contemporary dance form that originated in Japan in the 1950s and has since spread worldwide. This form values explorations of presence, transformation, and the development of curiosity to create full-bodied performance. Students experience butoh techniques through a series of movement exercises, choreography, and improvisational activities. This course explores butoh’s themes, history, and evolution, investigating how it differs from western contemporary dance by subverting dance norms and embracing refusal. Through embodiment, supporting course materials, creative writing practices, and artistic generation, students understand butoh’s physical and emotional components while strengthening creative expression and confidence in the body.   Meshi Chavez is a teacher, butoh dancer, and choreographer and was recently Artist in Residence at Middlebury College from the Fall of 2021 to the Spring of 2023. He received his MFA at the University of the Arts.

Police Aesthetics in Japanese Film In this course students will consider theories of police power in modern society while analyzing its representation in Japanese cinema. Each week we will begin with readings about one aspect of police power, and will then consider this aspect when analyzing a set of Japanese films. The objectives of the course are for students: (1) to gain a more multifaceted understanding of the police function in modern society, (2) to learn the general history of the Japanese police system, and (3) to cultivate an appreciation of Japanese film and its possibilities for critical reflection.

Building the Japanese Teahouse In this course we will build a modern but traditionally-inspired Japanese teahouse, using its construction as a backdrop for exploring the technical aspects of Japanese carpentry and the cultural underpinnings of apprentice learning. Traditional craft apprenticeships are still very much the norm in contemporary Japan, in stark contract with Western notions of teaching and learning. A particular emphasis will therefore be placed on the pedagogy of craft training. We will explore how the culture of apprenticeship, the tea ceremony, and other aspects of Buddhist training inform students’ accepted notions of learning. Assigned readings will cover the history and traditions of Japanese carpentry as well as its technical aspects. Students will keep a journal and write a series papers during the term.  Douglas Brooks is a boatbuilder, writer, researcher and teacher who has been studying traditional Japanese boatbuilding since 1996. He is the author of five books and numerous articles, and his work has been honored by the American Craft Council and the Japanese Ministry of Culture.

Douglas Brooks Brooks

Elizabeth Morrison

Kyoko Davis

Linda White

Masa Takahashi

Max Ward

Meshi Chavez

Otilia Milutin

Sayaka Abe

Stephen Snyder

Xiaoyu Wang

Read 84 reviews for Japanese courses at Middlebury College. Find the best Japanese professors and courses.  Discover your new major today!

The professor is enthusiastic about anime and Japanese culture. Her lectures were often engaging, with lots of casual group discussions. A decent number of screenings, three or four essays over the course, and one final group presentation. 

It was so lovely to take a class with Meshi. Through this course, I discovered so much about myself and learned to step outside of my comfort zone. I highly recommend taking this class if you want to challenge yourself, build deep connections with your classmates, and connect more deeply with yourself.


I took Japanese because I aim to study abroad in Japan, although I don't intend to major in Japanese. I feel like this course trains me comprehensively in my Japanese skills, especially because of the focus put on listening and speaking drills. 