Japan » Akita (AIU) » Academic Program

Academic Program

The Japanese Studies Program, designed to meet the interests of international students, focuses on Japanese culture, business, economics, politics, and history. Courses include Language and Diversity in Japan, Comparative Philosophy, World War II in Asia, Entrepreneurship in Japan, Japanese and East Asian Architecture, Japanese Economy, Education Systems, and Corporate Finance in Japan.

The Global Business Program is modeled after those at top business schools with a focus on such areas as marketing, finance, international business, entrepreneurship, leadership and strategy. AIU business faculty have graduated from Harvard, Princeton, University of Chicago, UC-Berkeley, University of Tokyo, Keio, Waseda and other prominent universities and have had careers at Citibank, AT&T, Ford Motor Company, Mitsui Venture Capital, Nomura Securities and other global companies.

The Global Studies Program examines forces in politics, law, society, culture, media and economics that are bringing about an increasingly interdependent world. This program focuses on the relationships of North America and Asia, with a special focus on China.

Depending on how many classes you take, you should receive approximately the same amount of credit for your time in Japan as you would being a full-time student in Oregon. You will be registered at your home campus in the OUS (or at an OUS partner institution) and will receive credit from that institution. Consult with your academic advisor and Campus Contact to determine how coursework done in Japan will integrate with your home campus curriculum requirements.

The OUS requires that you attend the day-long pre-departure orientation that covers the academic, administrative, financial and cultural information necessary for successful participation.

Host University Description

Akita International University

As Japan’s only university with its complete curriculum taught in English, AIU creates a unique academic environment in which you can receive high-quality Japanese language instruction and, at the same time, complete advanced topical coursework in English.

AIU’s faculty is comprised of scholars and expert practitioners from around the world. The diverse backgrounds of the faculty, combined with their broad range of experience, state-of-the-art pedagogy, and commitment to fostering global awareness, provide the foundation for an outstanding learning environment. Class sizes of less than 10 students are not uncommon.

Given AIU’s small size, you will have many opportunities to participate in campus life. University clubs include many different sports, martial arts (Akido, Kendo, Shorinji-Kempo), music, dance, broadcasting, and more.

You may also participate in field trips and excursions. Business and economics students may visit local manufacturing plants, sake breweries and agricultural producers. Culture courses may include visits to regional museums and local hot springs (onsen) as well as opportunities to watch local carpenters build thatched-roof huts. You may also have opportunities to visit local public schools to teach about your home culture.

Host University Website:http://www.aiu.ac.jp

Registration and Credits

Students participating in this program will be registered at their home university in Oregon and will receive home campus credits for courses taken at Akita International University. Students’ course work will be reviewed and evaluated by appropriate academic departments at their home institutions. Students must keep detailed records of course outlines, reading lists, exam results, and other work completed to facilitate accurate evaluation by their home university academic departments.

Students are advised to consult with their academic advisor about their plans to study in the Japan (Akita) program. Students wishing to earn major or minor credits for courses taken at Akita International University are strongly advised to be in frequent communication with their advisor to determine what’s possible.

Because of the nature of this program, courses and credits are applied after completion of the program.

Academic Calendar

AIU follows a modified American academic calendar. The fall semester typically runs until late December. And the spring semester typically starts in early April (after Oregon’s winter term) and runs through late July.

Important Dates

Program Dates (dates below are for the 2007-08 academic year; 2008-09 dates will be similar)

• Summer: June 25 – August 3
• Fall: August 27 – December 21
• Spring: April 5 – July 31
• Academic Year: August 27 – July 31 (includes a short winter term from mid-January to early March)