Spring Courses

NIU offers a selection of courses for international exchange students who wish to take content courses in English and beginner's Japanese language courses. Under normal circumstances, students follow a set course schedule. Depending on each student's home university credit transfer requirements and Japanese language ability, it may be possible to make slight changes to the schedule. 

Please note that in Japan it is common for courses to be held once a week for 90 minutes. As a result, it is common for students to take 10 or more courses in a semester.

Course Descriptions

Courses Taught in English

History A

An initial objective of this course is to learn and understand a position of the Japanese prehistory in the world prehistory and their pre-historical relation. Then, the course for the rise of the world oldest civilizations in the Ancient Orient and features of those civilizations are to be learnt in terms of both archaeological and historical points of views. Those civilizations to be dealt with in this course are the Ancient Mesopotamian, the Ancient Egyptian and the Ancient Indus civilizations. Through lectures, quizzes and presentations of this course, students will be able to acquire conclusively special knowledge about the world prehistory and the ancient history of the world.
*90 minutes / week

Hotel Management

Students will be well acquainted with the following: (1) The specific features of Japanese traditional lodging facilities ‒ “Ryokans” (2) The general perception of “Service” in Japan (3) The history of hotels in Japan (4) Various categories of Hotels (5) Typical hotel management styles in Japan.
*90 minutes / week

International Relations

Aim of this module is to understand basic characteristics of Japan’s international relations today, and explain such characteristics. Toward this aim, you are expected to: (1) comprehend basic terms of International Relations, together with their historical background; and (2) to be able to use those terms accurately. You will also choose a topic of Japan’s international relations today, out of instructor’s suggestions, and explain that topic to the class. 
*90 minutes / week

Japanese Culture A

This course helps students develop a basic understanding of elements of pre-modern Japanese culture. Students will study these elements from both an anthropological and historical perspective. Topics will focus on the relationship between historical Japanese culture and modern life in Japan.  
*90 minutes / week

Seminar 1A

Course contents vary by teacher and year. In general, this course provides international exchange students with opportunities to interact and do project work with Japanese students in small groups. There are also opportunities to learn about aspects of Japanese society and culture through participating in and reflecting on activities involving local people held both on- and off-campus.

Tourism Geography

This course provides the perspective of tourism geography for students suggesting a solution to problems associated with tourism and community and specialized knowledge of tourism geography for students putting it to practical use in society. 
*90 minutes / week

Tourism Marketing

This course focuses on marketing management in the tourism and hospitality industry. Firstly, this course examines tourism marketing, dealing with the conceptual framework and theories of marketing. Secondly, the course examines the challenges and problems which tourism marketing causes. Thirdly, the course provides the skills of marketing management through the group-work. 
*90 minutes / week

Courses Taught in Japanese for Beginners

Introduction to Japanese（日本語入門）

This course introduces students to useful Japanese phrases for living in Japan. Students will also learn how to write Japanese letters and Chinese characters as well as the meaning of useful phrases. Furthermore, students learn how to write texts in Japanese.
*180 minutes / week

Sports A（スポーツ実習A）

To increase physical physical exercise, then to maintain and promote health and physical strength. Further, to get relief from stress by physical exercise. In addition, while specialized knowledge and skills are developed, the social skills such as teamwork and leadership will also be improved.
*90 minutes / week

Tea Ceremony IA (茶道文化 IA)

This course teaches students the basics of the traditional art of tea ceremony, which is a defining characteristic of NIU. Students are introduced to the all phases of the tea ceremony, from preparation to performance to clean up. From this, students gain a deeper understanding of essential manners and communication skills.
*90 minutes / week

*Above course descriptions are translations and intended for informational purposes only. 

Students with intermediate-level Japanese can choose from a wider selection of courses. Please visit the NIU main page for more information on general education and tourism courses.

Updated September 15, 2023