Master's in Japanese Language and Society

Hello everybody:

I am looking into doing a Master's (for personal development) in Japanese Language and Society or the like, by DL.

The only university that I could find is Sheffield in UK. They are of course very well known and highly respected. However, there is one residency requirement and also the final examination has to be taken in Sheffield. Also, they charge US$12,000 for the course, which is not little.

Does anyone know a pure DL Master's course in above subject?

Thank you for any input.

adelheid

 

adelheid --

When I did the subject index for the 14th edition of Bears' Guide, I listed a good many Australian MA/MLitt programs (under "Japanese" or "Asian Studies") that could be tailored to exactly the field you're suggesting.

For a Japan-based program, you might contact Bukkyo University, which offers an M.A. in Japanese culture by correspondence (in both English and Japanese). The program is only open to Japanese residents at the present time, but someone willing to establish a Japanese convenience address, et. al. may qualify under special circumstances. I've been told that there are also plans in the works for Bukkyo to offer its programs online at some point in the near future, and that when this happens, they will be available worldwide. (I eagerly look forward to this, as Bukkyo offers the best distance learning programs in Buddhist studies that I have ever seen, hands down.)

Good luck.


Cheers,

 

Cool! I just gained limited citizenship in Japan, and have just such an address. I'll do some research and see what I can find out.

Christian
CGEN, USQ 2002

P.S. I'm back!

 

Welcome back, Christian!

How are your USQ studies going?

I am finding the new USQConnect software (Study Desk etc) somewhat irritating.

 

Thanks Gert!

I graduated last semester and received my physical parchment in the mail last Thursday. It went right back in the mail as USQ did not spell my last name correctly.

I started my MBA at UNE yesterday. I'll be interested in checking out how the online environment differs from USQ's (I haven't received my password yet).

Christian

 

Gee kajidoro:

what do you mean with "limited citizenship in Japan"? I didn't know thay had such a thing...

adelheid

 

"Limited citizenship" is my terminology. Think they call it something along the lines of "Spouse of Japanese citizen" citizenship. Means I can do just about everything a Japanese citizen can but vote.

I married a Japanese woman last year and we have a child together of dual citizenship. Her family sponsored me for all the paperwork. Has to be renewed every three years.

I just returned from Japan within the last week and had my first chance to use my new status by using the (much quicker) Japanese citizen line at Kansai Airport's immigration checkpoint.

 

No luck hearing back from Bukkyo University. I'm going to try again in Japanese from a .jp email address and see if this works.

Christian
CGEN, USQ 2002

 

To my knowledge, Bukkyo University would usually only accept those ordained as monks in the Jodo Shinshu sect of Buddhism (Pure Land Buddhism of Master Honen (Japan, 1133 - 1212), as it is their official "training" university.
adelheid

 

Then why offer DL is many different areas?

 

Jodo Jinshu monks of course study as many diverse subjects as any other so called human beings!
(Please note that "monk" is equal to "priest" in the Western understanding.)
adelheid, who is not, and will never be, a Jodo Jinshu member

 

But maybe I am totally wrong at all - if you happen to do some more research, please correct me if so.
adelheid

 

This is not true at all; not only is Jodo Shinsu affiliation not required for their master's programs in Buddhist studies, but they even offer specialized tracks in other Buddhist traditions (Mahayana, Zen, etc). I have no idea where you're getting your information.


Cheers,

 

In English or in Japanese? The school's website is relentlessly Japanese, and therefore incomprehensible to me. Google turned up the outline of an English webpage, but it's currently blank.

Bukkyo does operate a Los Angeles extension, but it seems to largely be an ESL program for visiting Japanese students, who come to America in order to study English and American culture (in LA?? Heaven help them). But it also has a function of promoting Jodo Shu in America, which suggests that there may be some interest in offering programs to English-speakers at some time in the future.

http://www.jodo.or.jp/jsri/English/BukkyoSymp/Papers/profile.html

Adelheid pointed out that Bukkyo has a traditional purpose in educating Jodo Shu priests. But Bukkyo apparently also admits interested laymen. The above page says:

The University has two missions: training Jodo Shu priests and training people who will contribute to the development of world culture and human welfare based on the Buddhist spirit.