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CJS Programme of Study

CJS Programme of Study

B.A. Programme 

The courses in B.A. Programme are designed in such a way that after studying the language (Japanese) for three years, the students will not only acquire sound knowledge of the language but also have an exposure to the culture, customs, society and literary history of Japan. As the writing system of Japanese is different from other languages, a considerable amount of time during B.A. is devoted to mastering the writing and reading systems of the languages.  Hence, the courses for first year B.A. give importance to learning the Hiragana, Katakana and Kanji – the three scripts used in Japanese.  Besides the courses in spoken Japanese, basic grammar and expressions, Tool Course in English on Language, Culture, History and Society of Japan are also offered.  The second and third year of B.A. courses are planned to provide a sound foundation to the students, and develop the four skills of language learning, i.e., writing, reading, listening and speaking.  Courses on translation, interpretation, Japanese literature etc. are also offered in the second and third years.

Besides these core courses and tool courses, students of B.A. programme are expected to complete a minimum 22 credits in the optional courses offered by other schools and centres in the University.  For the award of B.A. (Hons.) degree, a student has to complete minimum 68 credits in core courses, 10 credits in Tool Courses and 22 credits in optional courses.

M.A. Programme in Japanese 

The M.A. courses in Japanese programme are designed with an objective of taking the students to the high level of language skills through intensive lectures based on specialized courses on literature, culture, society, history, linguistics, translation and interpretation. Textual analysis, criticism and appreciation, and translation based on topics related to current affairs, bilateral and multilateral trade relations, international relations etc. are the specialized courses in M.A. programmes.

Students have the option to specialize either in Japanese Literature orTranslation/Interpretation.  The objective of this programme is to groom the students for interpretation/translation as well as research in the field of literature and culture studies and area studies. For the award of M.A. degree, a student has to complete minimum 64 credits.

M.Phil./PhD. in Japanese 

The M.Phil. Programme is of four semesters.  The first two semesters are meant for course work. A student of M.Phil.is expected to complete four courses carrying 4 credits each as a part of their course work and submit a dissertation (8credits) latest by the end of the fourth semester for the award of M.Phil. degree.  A student who scored CGPA above 6 on a 9 point scale in his M.Phil. Degree can register for Ph.D.in the fields of Japanese Literature, Comparative Literature, Society, Culture, Language or Linguistics.  Ph.D. degree is awarded to the research scholar upon his/her completion of a thesis in the field of his/her choice.

Optional Courses in Japanese 

CJS is offering a 4 semester optional course in Japanese Language to the B.A. students of the other Centres of the School as well as M.Phil/Ph.D. students of Japanese Studies in the Centre for East Asian Studies (CEAS), School of International Studies (SIS).The aim of this course is to equip the learner with the basic skills of the elementary Japanese level upon the completion of the course.

A warm welcome to the modified and updated website of the Centre for East Asian Studies. The East Asian region has been at the forefront of several path-breaking changes since 1970s beginning with the redefining the development architecture with its State-led development model besides emerging as a major region in the global politics and a key hub of the sophisticated technologies. The Centre is one of the thirteen Centres of the School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi that provides a holistic understanding of the region.

Initially, established as a Centre for Chinese and Japanese Studies, it subsequently grew to include Korean Studies as well. At present there are eight faculty members in the Centre. Several distinguished faculty who have now retired include the late Prof. Gargi Dutt, Prof. P.A.N. Murthy, Prof. G.P. Deshpande, Dr. Nranarayan Das, Prof. R.R. Krishnan and Prof. K.V. Kesavan. Besides, Dr. Madhu Bhalla served at the Centre in Chinese Studies Programme during 1994-2006. In addition, Ms. Kamlesh Jain and Dr. M. M. Kunju served the Centre as the Documentation Officers in Chinese and Japanese Studies respectively.

The academic curriculum covers both modern and contemporary facets of East Asia as each scholar specializes in an area of his/her interest in the region. The integrated course involves two semesters of classes at the M. Phil programme and a dissertation for the M. Phil and a thesis for Ph. D programme respectively. The central objective is to impart an interdisciplinary knowledge and understanding of history, foreign policy, government and politics, society and culture and political economy of the respective areas. Students can explore new and emerging themes such as East Asian regionalism, the evolving East Asian Community, the rise of China, resurgence of Japan and the prospects for reunification of the Korean peninsula. Additionally, the Centre lays great emphasis on the building of language skills. The background of scholars includes mostly from the social science disciplines; History, Political Science, Economics, Sociology, International Relations and language.

Several students of the centre have been recipients of prestigious research fellowships awarded by Japan Foundation, Mombusho (Ministry of Education, Government of Japan), Saburo Okita Memorial Fellowship, Nippon Foundation, Korea Foundation, Nehru Memorial Fellowship, and Fellowship from the Chinese and Taiwanese Governments. Besides, students from Japan receive fellowship from the Indian Council of Cultural Relations.