Kyoto Center for Japanese Studies

The Kyoto Center is a program that combines intensive instruction in Japanese with a variety of courses taught in English by Kyoto Center faculty. The program offers both a one-semester and a two-semester (academic-year) course of study for students with a special interest in Japanese language, history, culture, and social organization.

The rigorous academic curriculum in Japanese studies includes advanced courses in the humanities and social sciences, with offerings in both premodern and modern Japan. All students must engage in an intensive study of the Japanese language. Other course work normally will be offered in English by Japanese and American professors. For those students with sufficient language ability, auditing of classes at Kyoto University and tutored projects with Kyoto University faculty will be encouraged in the second semester at the Center.

The Kyoto program is open to students who have at least the equivalent of two years of Japanese, which may consist of first-year Japanese and an intensive summer session prior to departure. The program is generally recommended for the junior year, although exceptions will be made. Applications are available at 412 Kent. For further information, students should contact Professor Henry Smith, (212) 854-5033; e-mail: hds2@columbia.edu.