Study Abroad in Japan - Summer 2 2023

We are welcoming all majors to apply to study abroad in Japan for 4 weeks during Summer 2 session.

Japan 2023 Study Abroad

Courses

BCMN 2730 - Multimedia Production (3 credit hours). Open to all majors.

This is an entry-level course focused on creating short, "snackable" video content, ideal for social media platforms. No previous experience is required.

BCMN 4322 - Corporate Video Production (3 credit hours). Prerequisite: A grade of C or better in BCMN 3319 or BCMN 3350, and BCMN 3340.

COMM 4391 - Multimedia Explorations (3 credit hours). Communication Advisor Approval Need.

This course will primarily focus on cultural tourism whereby students will theorize through photography and map-making. In the first week, we will learn how to make maps to document our journey, conduct research on the sites to be visited, and strengthen principles of composition. At the end of the course, you will produce a photo essay (via a photobook).

The overall theme will be "Spaces, Places, Faces, and Cases.

COMM 5391 - Geosemiotics and Intercultural Communication (must be enrolled as a graduate student)

Graduate students will also be producing photographic essays based on the theme of "Spaces, Places, Faces, and Cases". We will be approaching our study under a Geosemiotics lens, inspired by Ron and Suzy Scollon. Geosemiotics refers to Semiotics of place.

Download Application and Apply

The Department of Communication will be offering undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity to study abroad in Japan for 4 weeks during the Summer 2 term. Professors LaDonna Aiken ラドンナー•アイケン先生 and Dr. Brian Horton ブライアン•ホートン先生 will be leading the excursion. Applications should be completed no later than February 28, 2023 to be considered for the program.

Download Application (PDF)

Tentative Sites and Schedule At A Glance

This schedule we be adjusted as we continue to gain more information about Japan's reopening. Be sure to stay connected to our Microsoft Teams group, where we will post important updates.

Week 1 - Classes at UTA

In our first week, you will attend classes at UTA to develop your skill prior to leaving. Depending on the class, you will also do some pre-site research so that you will get the most from your experience.

Week 2 to Week 3 - Tokyo Metropolitan Area

In our first two weeks, we are going to focus our learning experiences in the Tokyo Metropolitan Area. Many areas of cultural, historical, and technological significance are within this region. Within the first week, you will get to experience a kaiseki, a multi-course meal the exemplifies the highest form of cuisine and hospitality (omotenashi).

During this week, you will have the opportunity to visit many areas rich with technology, tradition, culture, history, including but not limited to:

Ueno
Sensoji Temple
Akihabara
Odaiba Area, including Miraikan (Future Museum), DiverCity Tokyo Plaza, teamLab Borderless
Tokyo Station
Imperial Palace,
Senkakuji Temple
Meiji Shrine
Harajuku
Hachiko Statue
Shibuya Scramble
Yokohama Landmark Tower
Cup Noodle Museum, Gundam Factory
Enoshima
Kamakura
Great Buddha
Zushi
Hakone

Week 3 to Week 4 - Kansai Area (central Japan)

After spending time at the economic, political, and technical hub of Japan, we will take a shinkansen (high speed bullet train) to the Kansai region. The bullet train reaches speeds of up to 177mph. You will also see an iconic view of Mt. Fuji.

To many, the Kansai region is the cultural heart of Japan. It is host to several UNESCO world heritage sites and is rich with history, traditions, and distinctive Japanese personalities. It was home to the first two capitals of Japan and is the seat of religious life. Many of the most important shrines and temples are found in this region. Additionally, it is home to the most majestic of all castles, Himeji-jo.

You will have many opportunities to experience the history, tradition, and food culture of this distinctive area. Also during this week, you will have the chance to visit the most sacred of baseball stadiums, Koshien (in between Osaka and Kobe). While we are there, Japan will be hosting the high school baseball championships. Almost everyone in Japan has their eyes turned to this event for the duration of the tournament.

We will also be taking a day trip to visit Hiroshima and the surrounding area, including Miyajima and Itsukushima Shrine (a Unesco World Heritage Site).

You will have the opportunity to see places and areas like:

Week 5 - Shikoku and Seto Inland Sea

For our last week, we will take an overnight ferry to the smallest of the four main islands, Shikoku. This area has been relatively untouched by tourism and will give you the opportunity to see how traditions have been naturally preserved. This area is distinctive for the Inland Sea, some of the world's longest bridges, untouched nature, dramatic ravines, the cleanest water in Japan, and traditional arts and crafts.