JAPAN RELATED COURSE OFFERINGS WINTER 2026
Classes begin January 5, 2026
PSU is switching to a new time-slot system this quarter. Please be sure to verify the course times with your instructors.
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JPN 344U: Manga: Japanese Graphic Novels
M/W 9:00-10:40 a.m.
Instructor: Professor Jon Holt
4 credits
Readings of masterpieces of Japanese comic books and analysis of writing about the graphic-novel form. Readings of the manga are followed by a discussion of the artistic style, questions about Japanese society, and each novel’s place in the history of the genre. Readings and discussions are in English. This class can fulfill UNST junior-cluster (U) requirements for Global Perspectives or Pop Culture. Can also be used for the Comics Studies Certificate.
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JPN 371: Reading Animals in Japanese Literature
Fully Online (no class meetings/regular weekly work submitted online)
Instructor: Professor Jon Holt
1 credit
In this “no-classroom" course, the professor will lecture and record into the zoomisphere for a 30-60 minute lecture each week about the canonical author/literary work of modern Japanese literature; students then read the book or short stories and then do an end-of-the-week quiz. On alternating weeks students "talk back" to Dr. Holt through your own recordings. Thus JPN 371 students will 1) gain familiarity with Modern Japanese Literature (this time all about animals) and 2) develop their ability to speak about Japanese Literature. This new kind of JPN 1-credit class allows for maximum schedule flexibility for students and helps them accelerate their PSU degrees. Great modern authors series: Natsume Soseki, Ibuse Masuji, Dazai Osamu, Miyazawa Kenji, Tawada Yoko, Murakami Haruki, and more.
FILM 487: War & Memory in Japanese Cinema
W 6:00-9:35pmInstructor: Dr. Patrick A. Terry4 creditsThis course survey films pertaining to the Second World War within the context of Japan and East Asian history. This includes works made during Japan’s rise as an imperial power, propaganda films made during the war, postwar SCAP-era occupation films, and contemporary films that reflexively account for this important period in world history. Screenings will be in Japanese with English subtitles. No prior language background required. Non-Film majors please inquire with the instructor (pterry@pdx.edu) for enrollment in the course.
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HST 323: Modern Korea
Fully Online
Instructor: Professor Ken Ruoff
4 credits
The modern history of Korea is among the most complex of any national history. With the trauma of colonization from 1905-1945, followed by the political division of the Korean nation that, after a terrible civil war that played out in the context of the Cold War, left two states competing for the legitimacy to rule over Korea Students will gain an understanding not only of the basic narrative of the history of Korea from 1894 to present, but also of the respective histories of North Korea and South Korea, as well as grasp some of the major historiographical issues (in other words, debates among historians).
JPN 370: Japan Asia Lecture Series
Times vary, but a set number of evening lectures (usually Tues. or Thursday). No regular class meetings.
Instructor/Supervisor: Professor Jon Holt
1 credit
For this 1-credit course, students will attend all three regular Center for Japanese Studies lectures and events per quarter in order to learn about Japanese culture and history from both cutting-edge scholars and successful business leaders in Portland and greater Oregon. Ten hours of attendance and participation are required for students, but they will have options on how to do their work to demonstrate their broadened awareness and deepened understanding of Japan and Asia today. This course is listed as meeting 1800-1850 on Tuesdays but actually days and meetings will vary. Please consult the instructor for actual class time information. Course taught in English.
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HST 490/590: Comparative World History - The Wrongful Internment of Japanese-Americans in a Global Context
W 11:00 AM - 12:40 PM (hybrid)
Instructor: Professor Ken Ruoff
4 credits
February 19, 2022 marked the 80th anniversary of the issuance of the executive order that led to the internment of Japanese Americans, one of the darkest chapters in American history. In this course, we first examine the internment of Japanese Americans as American history, but then we shall broaden our perspective, first to understand the international system of racism that was in place circa 1900: a system that is crucial background to explain, in part, the eventual internment. We shall also adopt a comparative perspective, comparing the cases of colonial Koreans in the Empire of Japan, which had its own racial hierarchies, and Japanese Americans under the American system that divided whites and people of color during wartime. Finally, we shall examine the long aftermath of internment, and the way that the interned leveraged that experience on various fronts.
JPN 102: First-Year Japanese Term 2
M/W/F 9:00-10:40 am (Friday session only 9:00 - 10:05 am) OR M/W/F 11:00 - 12:40 pm (Friday session only 11:00-12:05) OR T/TH/F 11:00 - 12:40 pm (Friday session only 11:00 - 12:05 pm) OR T/TH/F 1:30 - 3:10 pm (Friday session only 1:30 - 2:35 pm)
Instructor: Professor Karen Curtin
5 credits
An introduction to the Japanese language with emphasis on listening comprehension, speaking, grammatical patterns, the syllabaries, and characters in elementary reading and writing. This is the second course in a sequence of three: Jpn 101, Jpn 102, and Jpn 103.
JPN 202: Second-Year Japanese Term 2
M/W 9:00-10:40 am (Friday session only 9:00 - 10:05 am) OR M/W/F 11:00 - 12:40 pm (Friday session only 11:00-12:05 pm)
Instructor: Professor Suwako Watanabe
5 credits
Continued work in the Japanese language with emphasis on listening comprehension, speaking, grammatical patterns, the syllabaries, and characters in elementary reading and writing. This is the second course in a sequence of three: Jpn 201, Jpn 202, and Jpn 203. Expected preparation: Jpn 103.
JPN 302: Second-Year Japanese Term 2
T/Th 11:00 - 12:40 PM
Instructor: Professor Suwako Watanabe
4 credits
Developing skills to work with semi-authentic materials with focus on reading and writing. This is the first course in a sequence of two: Jpn 301, and Jpn 302. Expected preparation: Jpn 301.
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JPN 399: Beginning Japanese Grammar
Instructor: Dr. Karen Curtin
Tu/Th 9-10:40am
4 credits
This course will go over basic Japanese grammar such as verb conjugation, particles, comparison, and transitive/intransitive as well as some intermediate-level grammar. Students will read excerpts of grammar explanations from a textbook, attend lecture classes, tackle grammatical questions, and apply grammatical knowledge to translation between English and Japanese. Taught in English with examples in Japanese. Applicable to Linguistic are of the major/minor requirement. No prerequisite required – any level of Japanese welcome!
The Department of World Languages and Literatures offers a vast array of Japanese language classes, from beginning to advanced Japanese. WLL's Japanese language department was ranked 9th nationally for graduating the most Japanese majors, according to a 2019 Chronicle of Higher Education Report. To see the robust offerings and opportunities to learn Japanese and about Japanese culture, please visit the World Languages and Literatures website.
Opportunities exist for non-traditional students to take a variety of courses about Japan, including Japanese language courses at PSU. Additionally, individuals over 65 years of age can audit courses at PSU for free on a space available basis.