亚洲和近东许多国家是世界上最古老的文明之一。对这些国家的语言和文化的研究使学生能够接触到一些最丰富，最多样化的思想，信仰和行为传统。在世界人口中，基本上是非基督教的大部分人口都居住在以下两个地区：亚洲，其对印度教，佛教，道教，儒教和其他思想体系的信仰有着多种多样的传承。”尽管该地区许多国家处于当代政治和经济学的最前沿，但对于大多数西方人来说，它仍然保持着“异国情调”的形象。基督教，犹太教和伊斯兰教的发源地近东，今天仍然是一个很少被理解的，常被刻板印象的领域，具有重要的经济，战略和宗教意义。<br> <br
The many countries of Asia and the Near East are among the oldest civilizations in the world. The study of the languages and cultures of these nations gives students access to some of the richest and most varied traditions of thought, belief, and behavior to be found. A large percentage of the vast, essentially non-Christian segment of the world's population resides in these two zones: Asiawith its diverse heritage of belief in Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, and other systems of thoughtcontinues to retain its exotic image for most Westerners, even though many nations in the region are at the forefront of contemporary politics and economics. The Near East, birthplace of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, remains a little-understood, often stereotyped area of considerable economic, strategic, and religious importance today.<br><br>The study of Japanese at the university level will provide students an opportunity to develop high level communication skills to acquire a greater understanding of Japan and its people. Additionally, students will be introduced to the rich cultural heritage of Japan in literature, thought, painting, music, and the other arts. The study of Japanese language and literature will introduce students to many of the major aspects of that heritage, while providing the kind of training in language and cultural skills that will prepare students to undertake careers in a wide variety of fields.<br><br>In recent years, graduates from the Japanese major at BYU have gone on to law, engineering, computer, or MBA programs, while others have continued on to medical school. A few have pursued graduate work in a variety of academic fields at some of the most prestigious universities in the country. Others have gone directly to work in government service, in the military, and in American or Japanese business firms where their language ability and cultural background are in high demand. Some also pursue careers in translation or language teaching.<br><br>The objective of the Japanese program at BYU is to develop an understanding of and appreciation for Japanese culture and to develop language knowledge and skills to facilitate significant interaction in Japanese society personally and professionally. The program seeks to foster self-managed learning skills for life-long learning and provide a university experience consistent with the mission and aims of Brigham Young University.<br><br>The program accommodates those with no previous experience with Japan, its culture and language, as well as those who have received previous instruction at other institutions and/or who have otherwise had prior exposure to the language and culture, including heritage learners. The major is designed to help learners develop sound thinking and effective communication skills, as well as a sense of historical perspective and global awareness relative to Japan.<br><br>It is strongly recommended that StDev 317 be taken at the end of the sophomore year or the beginning of the junior year. Because liberal arts degrees provide preparation in a variety of useful fields rather than a single career track, this course is recommended to help liberal arts students focus on specific educational and occupational goals and to identify the career options or educational opportunities available to them. The course will introduce them to the resources needed for accessing information about graduate schools, internships, careers, and career development. Students will learn basic employment strategies, including the steps necessary for obtaining employment related to their own specialty.