Japanese Language and Cultural Immersion Program: Advanced (J-CIP:A)

Program Overview

The Japanese Language and Cultural Immersion Program: Advanced (J-CIP:A) is an intensive course in Akita studies taught entirely in Japanese, established by AIU in cooperation with The Australian National University.

Curriculum Contents

Akita is emblematic of Japan’s rural areas. Dependent for a long time on agricultural as the core of its economy, Akita was one of the first prefectures to experience population decline, long before Japan as a country did. As such, it has been a case study for the effects of rural depopulation and rural rehabilitation efforts.

Activities

Students in this program study Akita’s unique circumstances, current issues, and cultural assets in the classroom, then interact directly with their subject matter through research visits and excursions. Students visit local schools and cultural landmarks, and help  a local community set-up and hold  its annual winter festival.

Japanese Language Ability

Japanese language ability demands on students are heavy, limiting this course to students with advanced (N2 to N1 level) Japanese. The program offers additional language instruction, such as courses and practice in the most polite keigo forms of speech. Throughout the course, students have the opportunity to develop their abilities in all four language skills – and learn to speak the local Akita dialect, as well!

Course & Credit Details

JPL 472 Japanese Language and Cultural Immersion Program is an intensive, advanced Japanese language course, worth six AIU credits. All participating students will receive a completion certificate as well as an official transcript sent to their home institution after the conclusion of that program.

Program Schedule

Please refer to the schedule below.

Example of the schedule of the previous program.

Unique Characteristics

This is a small, intensive program that will maximize your participation and interaction with your classmates, AIU students, and the local community.

Housing

Program participants live in one of the on-campus housing with AIU degree-seeking students as roommates/suitemates.

Unique Excursions

The program includes bus tours to Akita’s culturally significant sites, all of which are directly related to the course content, to add a hands-on element to the curriculum.