Japanese Studies

Much more than just a chicken scratch

Degree programme objectives

The study of Japanese Studies provides a basic insight into philologicaly oriented study of Japanese culture and society. The Bachelor's degree programme is based on two basic grounds: intensive cours in modern Japanese language and set of courses specialized in Japanese history, literature and society topics. The goal of the language course is to equip students with complex passive and active knowledge of modern Japanese (both spoken and written) in a short period of time. The specialize courses equip students with theoretical knowledge of the Japanese culture and society, that is supposed to be further developed in a philological manner, e.i. through a conscious work with texts. Besides a general introduction to a philological form of Japanese Studies, the students are taught also application of scientific work on specific japanological topics that are related to teachers' specializations. In this way the Japanese Studies programme does not educate students through the Japanese language, but also serves as an example of a philology on a general level.

Study plans

Japanese Studies

full-time, single-subject

Admission Procedures
Admission to Bachelor's and long-cycle Master's degree programmes in 2025/2026
Submission deadline until midnight 28/2/2025

Information on entrance examinations designed for this degree programme
This programme is accredited in Czech and requires students to have a native-speaker or C1 knowledge of Czech or Slovak.

The criteria for admission for studies are the results of the the Learning Potential Test (TSP) and the written Field of Study Examination. The Faculty of Arts of Masaryk University disregards the results of SCIO National Comparative Examinations.

You can file your e-applications for studies from 1 November to 28 February.
Field of Study Examinations will be held from 22 April to 27 April.
The date and time of the examination will be stated in the electronic invitation for the examination, which will be uploaded to your e-application. The faculty will not be sending paper invitations.
Applicants applying for the major study plan and minor study plan in a combined study must comply with the conditions for admission into both plans.
Learning Potential Test (TSP)

This test is only in Czech. For up-to-date information, click here

Field of Study Examination
This examination is intended to check the applicants’ knowledge of the given field of study. It takes the form of a written test.

Basic description of the Field of Study Examination:

The test is divided into two sections:
- the first section checks your passive knowledge of the Japanese syllabic alphabets (Hiragana and Katakana). This section of the test focusing on syllabic alphabets has been designed for the applicants to choose a correct answer from the offered transcription (transliteration) options – the so-called Hepburn romanization may be used as a standard.
- The second section includes questions which will check your basic knowledge of the country’s life and institutions (literature, history, geography, politics, etc.).
Sample Field of Study Test
Sample Field of Study Test: Answer Key
Admission without the entrance examination
For admission for studies in this degree programme, you cannot be exempted from taking the entrance examination.
Recommended reading for the examinations under this field
Literature recommended for preparation for your studies:
- Bařinka, J. (ed.): Kulturní tradice Dálného východu. Praha, Odeon, 1980.
- Boháčková L., Winkelhöferová: Vějíř a meč. Praha, Albatros, 1984.
- Collcutt, M. a kol.: Svět Japonska. Přel. Duroňová, R. Praha, Knižní klub, 1997.
- Earhart, H. B.: Náboženství Japonska – Mnoho tradic na jedné svaté cestě. Přel. Heřman, R. Praha, Prostor, 1998.
- Henshall, K. G.: A Guide to Learning Hiragana & Katakana. Tuttle Publishing, 1990.
- Janoš, J.: 99 zajímavostí z Japonska. Praha, Albatros, 1984.
- Kodžiki – Kronika dávného Japonska. Přel. Fiala, K. Praha, ExOriente, 2012.
- Kraemerová, A.: Jak komunikovat s Japonci aneb Nebuďme xenofobní. Praha, Scriptorium, 2013.
- Labus, D.: Japonsko. Stručná historie států. Praha, Libri, 2009.
- Líman, A.: Kouzlo šerosvitu. Praha, DharmaGaia, 2008.
- Líman, A.: Krajiny japonské duše. Praha, Mladá fronta, 2000.
- Líman, A.: Mezi nebem a zemí. Praha, Academia, 2001.
- Mason, R., Caiger, J.: Dějiny Japonska. Přel. Müllerová, P. Praha, Fighters Publications, 2007.
- Nymburská, D., Vostrá, D., Sawatari, M.: Japonština. Praha, Leda, 2007.
- Reischauer, E., Craig, A.: Dějiny Japonska. Přel. Labus, D., Sýkora, J. Praha, Lidové noviny, 2000.
- Sýkora, J.: Ekonomické myšlení v Japonsku. Praha, FF UK, 2010.
- Švarcová, Z.: Japonská literatura 712–1868. Praha, Karolinum, 2005.
- Vasiljevová, Z.: Dějiny Japonska. Praha, Nakladatelství Svoboda, 1986.
- Winkelhöferová, V.: Slovník japonské literatury. Praha, Libri, 2008.
Evaluation criteria valid for the applicants applying for a place on this degree programme
- Limit for TSP percentile for successfully passing the entrance examination: 50
- Total number of points in the Field of Study Examination: 100 (4 points for each question)
- Limit for successfully passing the Field of Study Examination: 52
Points are not deducted for incorrect answers in the Field of Study Examination. Applicants will be sorted into the final admission order based on the TSP results.

Studies

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Objectives
The study of Japanese Studies provides a basic insight into philologicaly oriented study of Japanese culture and society. The Bachelor's degree programme is based on two basic grounds: intensive cours in modern Japanese language and set of courses specialized in Japanese history, literature and society topics. The goal of the language course is to equip students with complex passive and active knowledge of modern Japanese (both spoken and written) in a short period of time. The specialize courses equip students with theoretical knowledge of the Japanese culture and society, that is supposed to be further developed in a philological manner, e.i. through a conscious work with texts. Besides a general introduction to a philological form of Japanese Studies, the students are taught also application of scientific work on specific japanological topics that are related to teachers' specializations. In this way the Japanese Studies programme does not educate students through the Japanese language, but also serves as an example of a philology on a general level.
Learning Outcomes
After successfully completing his/her studies the graduate is able to:
- Independently interpret medium-difficult texts in Japanese (both written and spoken)
- Communicate and mediate commuication in Japanese with regards to socio-cultural specifics
- Develop his/her own linguistic competences at all levels
- Describe and demonstrate a methodology of philological work on a Japanese example
- Characterize modern Japanese language on a theoretical level
- Navigate basic literature in the field of Japanese Studies
- Search and use relevant sources and information related to the field of study
- Analyze specific phenomena of Japanese culture and society in context
- Criticaly evaluate the quality of information with respect to the Japanese Studies matters
- Positive self-development, reflecting on himself/herself
Occupational Profiles of Graduates
The graduates of this study programme are equipped for work in a broad spectrum of institutions, where knowledge and skills acquired during the study can be put into practice. Besides general philological skills the graduates can apply their linguistic competences in modern Japanese language, knowledge of intercultural communication and skills for work with texts. Some areas of potential employment include tourism, language services (translation, interpretation), international business, communication mediating in Japanese production companies, cultural institutions, media and others.
At the same time the graduates are equipped sufficently for continuing in a graduate study program both in the Czech republic and abroad.
Goals of Theses
From a formal point of view, the thesis should meet the standard requirements for bachelor thesis at the MU Faculty of Arts, including the title page, abstract, notes and bibliography etc. The list of key words, bibliographic record and abstract should be given in both Czech and English.
From the content point of view the Bachelor's thesis is supposed to demonstrate the candidate's skills to complete an assignment using methodological tools acquired during the study. A clear definition of a research question as well as description of a methodology, analysis of data and secondary sources and clear conclusion are expected. So is propper stylistics and language use, graphic form, handling of sources (citations etc.) and following all formal requirements that are generally accepted in philologies.
Access to Further Studies
After completion of the Bachelor's studies and on fulfilling requirements for entrance, it is possible to continui further studies in Japanese Studies Master's degree programme (F15001 or F15003) at the Masaryk University's Faculty of Arts.