Japanese Studies offers a four-year Major focusing on developing both linguistic and cultural competencies: students complete their degree with a well-rounded understanding of Japanese society as well as strong Japanese language skills.  Successful students will have taken four years of Japanese language instruction, reaching the Advanced level of the Oral Proficiency Guidelines provided by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign languages and the B2 level of competence in Japanese as per the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. Graduates will, in other words, be able to interact in Japanese in both everyday situations and professional contexts.  Successful students, moreover, will have acquired in depth knowledge of Japanese customs, history, religions and contemporary society, as well as the analytical, critical-thinking, and English-writing skills required in senior seminars.