UH Hilo Catalog
 
 

International Academic Programs

Home > About UH Hilo > International Opportunities > International Academic Programs

Japanese Studies

Japanese Studies Chair: Dr. Christopher Reichl
Phone: +1 (808) 974 7513
Email: reichl@hawaii.edu
http://www.uhh.hawaii.edu/academics/japanesest/

The mission of the undergraduate degree program in Japanese Studies is to offer a broad range of coursework and research opportunities for students that is designed to develop an understanding of Japan in all of its dimensions: culture, society, language, art, political science, history, music, and others. The Japanese Studies major provides undergraduate research opportunities, a liberal arts foundation, and preparation for a variety of careers. Separate curricula are designed for two types of students:

  1. Non-native speakers of Japanese. These students are enabled to master the Japanese language in its aspects of structure (Japanese linguistics), literature, and translation, in addition to the areas of study mentioned above.
  2. Native speakers of Japanese. These students are enabled to master the English language in its aspects of structure (English linguistics), literature and translation, in addition to the areas of study mentioned above. Native speakers of Japanese are also enabled to develop explicit knowledge of Japanese language phonology, morphology, semantics and syntax.

The program involves significant multidisciplinary study of Japanese civilization centered on a core of language study. It should be of special interest to students who intend to pursue advanced degrees and/or careers in Japanese Studies or in related professional areas, including international business, tourism, journalism, government service, the arts, translation, and, in general, culture brokerage between Japan and the United States. Anyone simply interested in Japanese society and culture will derive considerable benefit from majoring in Japanese Studies. Among the learning goals for majors are the development of:

  1. Appropriate language ability:
    1. Japanese language ability and expertise for non-native speakers of Japanese,
    2. English language ability and expertise for native speakers of Japanese. Through such language study, students gain a deep appreciation and understanding of Japanese civilization and understanding of Japanese cultural views (i.e., world view) of itself and non-Japanese.
  2. An appreciation of how the Japanese cultural background may influence the communications, styles of interaction, and family structure.
  3. An ability to integrate information from the different approaches to the study of Japan and shape it into an overall understanding Japanese language, culture, and behavior. Please refer to the section on Japanese Studies for complete information.

Certificate in International Studies

The International Studies Certificate integrates a wide variety of existing courses into a cohesive whole focusing on international issues. This program of study is designed to prepare students for career opportunities in the new world system—a world system in which non-governmental actors are proliferating, global communications networks multiplying, world travel expanding, and in which states are becoming increasingly interdependent. The Certificate is particularly useful for students pursuing careers in the Foreign Service, international institutions, nongovernmental international organizations, international business, and tourism. The International Studies Certificate aims both to ready students for careers in the new world system and to foster global understanding. The International Studies Certificate requires two years of a foreign language with prerequisite preparation in General Education courses that emphasize world geography and culture. The core courses, also at the lower-division level, emphasize international political and economic structures and interrelationships. The student then chooses an area for concentrated study. Students can either choose to concentrate in the area of Tourism or in the area of International Relations (see listing under Political Science for International Relations Concentration Option). The concentrations are comprised of upper-division courses, which consider issues in a global context and stress cross-national understanding. The Certificate is notable for having a capstone seminar study or study abroad feature providing hands-on experience for the student.

Tourism Concentration Option

Business Chair: Dr. Harry W. Hennessey
E-mail: hhenness@hawaii.edu
Phone: +1 (808) 974 7767
http://business.uhh.hawaii.edu/CertificateinInternationalStudies.php

The Tourism Concentration Option is intended to familiarize students with international travel and tourism in terms of the tourists themselves, their service providers, and the government policies that can facilitate or create barriers for travel or for tourism development. An interdisciplinary approach informs consideration of the economic, environmental, social and cultural aspects of international tourism. This option allows students to examine tourism from a broad policy perspective or from an enterprise perspective. It is useful for students pursuing careers in tourism hospitality businesses or other tourism-related enterprises and in governmental tourism-related organizations. Please refer to the section on Business Administration for complete information.

International Relations Concentration Option

Political Science: Dr. Didrick Castberg
E-mail: castberg@hawaii.edu
Phone: +1 (808) 974 7461

The International Relations Concentration Option is intended to familiarize students with the relations among nations and other actors in the international system. This option will focus on the institutions and agencies through which states and groups of people interact at the global level. Consideration will also be given to the political, social and cultural practices of the different people who comprise the global system. This option is particularly useful for students pursuing careers in international service or in international business or nongovernmental organizations. For more information on this concentration option email Dr. Didrick Castberg: castberg@hawaii.edu. Please refer to the section on Political Science for complete information.

The Economics Major

Economics Chair: Dr. Tam B. Vu
E-mail: tamv@hawaii.edu
Phone: +1 (808) 974 7523
http://business.uhh.hawaii.edu/EconomicsMajor.php

Economics is the study of how people satisfy their desires through the activities of production, exchange, and consumption. These economic activities require the use of time, energy and scarce material and financial resources. Different outcomes may be observed depending on the choice of production technique, preferences in consumption, and the method of allocation.

Mission

The mission of the UH Hilo Economics Department is to assist individuals in acquiring the knowledge and skills necessary for sound decision-making in their personal and professional lives. The Department serves students and communities of the Island and State of Hawaiʻi, as well as students from the North American mainland and the Asia/Pacific region.

Curriculum

Students of economics follow a curriculum that provides a foundation for methodical, analytical, and critical thinking about societies and institutions. Lower-division courses include principles of economics, mathematics, statistics, along with the general education requirements. Upper-division students have the opportunity of taking advanced economics courses in many specialty areas. Please refer to the section on Economics for complete information.

Foreign Languages

Chair: Dr. Lawrence Rogers, Ph.D.
E-mail: rogers@hawaii.edu
Phone: +1 (808) 974 7340
www.uhh.hawaii.edu/academics/languages/

The Language Department offers instruction in Chinese, French, Japanese, and Spanish, as well as related courses in literature and culture. Each program is comprehensive in approach, developing the functions of speaking, comprehension, reading, and writing. The Department’s course offerings in languages can be found at the back of this Catalog under the following course prefixes:

  • Arabic: ARAB
  • Chinese: CHNS
  • French: FR
  • Japanese: JPNS
  • Spanish: SPAN

The Language Department does not offer a Language major. The Japanese Studies program, however, offers a related major, and Ka Haka ʻUla O Keʻelikōlani College of Hawaiian Language offers a master of arts degree in Hawaiian Language and Literature. Please refer to the section on Languages for complete information.

Master of Arts: China-U.S. Relations

Program Chair: Dr. Eric Im
E-mail: eim@hawaii.edu
Phone: +1 (808) 974 7467
Fax: +1 (808) 974 7685
www.uhh.hawaii.edu/academics/chus/

The China-U.S. Relations Program focuses on the cross-cultural study of China-U.S. relations. It emphasizes three key areas as China is becoming an international power in the new millennium:

  1. American Perceptions of China's Historical and Cultural Traditions: While considerable emphasis will be placed on China's turbulent modern history, it will be necessary to study in depth China's cultural, philosophical and religious traditions. Students will learn about China from Confucianism, Taoist and Buddhist as well as modern perspectives. This will provide a context for review of prevalent American perceptions of China in the decades prior to and after the Second World War which have helped shape American policies toward China.
  2. America's Role in China's Economic Reform: The focus is on China's evolution from a highly centralized, planned economy to its mass mobilization for market socialism-or capitalism with Chinese characteristics. Students will examine how China has adopted market liberalization and the resulting tension with state political structures. The importance of economic relations between China and the US in terms of trade and investment, and how these may evolve will be a main aspect of study. Related is China's need for technological/educational advancement and the US role in helping it achieve that end.
  3. Government and Public Policy in China: Students will examine China's elaborate institutional structure for the party and state, and how China's leaders have attempted to move party-state organizations toward modernity. A related aspect of study involves analysis of the military's role in policy-making, especially on contentious issues such as Taiwan, democratic reform, dissent, human rights, and the environment. These are at the crux of the ongoing Sino-American tension.

Distinctive Program Features

Multidisciplinary Approach: Students will take interdisciplinary courses in religion, philosophy, history, economics, politics, anthropology, geography and languages of China. Core courses within the program will be designed and given from an interdisciplinary approach.

China-US Encounter: The program aims to promote China-US cultural communication. A special emphasis will be on the study of Chinese culture and its relationship to American values. To provide a forum for dialogue and understanding between the American and Chinese people, the course will consist of a mix of Asian, Pacific, and American students.

Pacific Focus: Students are required to explore the cultural, social, political and economic relationships between China, the US, and other nations in the Pacific region. Specifically, American students will be trained to see America from the Chinese perspective, while Chinese students will be asked to comprehend China in the Pacific Rim context.

Year-Round Schedule: Courses will be offered during the traditional academic year (Fall/Spring) as well as summer and winter sessions. Full time graduate students can finish their degrees more quickly, and professionals, especially schoolteachers, can use their summers for advanced education. Please refer to the section on China-U.S. Relations for complete information.