Digital Japanese Studies
Digital Japanese Studies (M.A.)
If you are not only interested in the transformation of Japanese society with a focus on politics and media, but also in various specific aspects of digitalization in Japan, this is the degree program for you!
- Degree
- Master of Arts (M.A.)
- Duration of studies in semester
- 4
- Start of degree program
- Summer semester, Winter semester
- Study location
- Erlangen
- Number of students
- 1-50
- Subject group
- Economic Sciences, Law, Language and Cultural Studies
- Special ways to study
- Part-time degree program
- Teaching language
- completely in German
- Admission Requirements
- Qualification assessment
What is the degree program about?
This program aims to provide students with fundamental knowledge of Japan’s digital transformation, qualitative and quantitative methods and the skills required to conduct data analysis independently. We provide training to students using various exercises so that they can use specialized literature and digital primary and secondary sources confidently.
The aim of this degree program is to enable students to conduct original research and to make progress in the acquisition of scientific facts. We provide careful supervision by helping students to narrow down their research objects appropriately and select suitable theories and methods. During the supervision of final theses, we make every effort to encourage students to contribute something new to the state of research.
Social science research on Japan has become increasingly important in German-speaking countries in recent years. In addition, digital transformation is currently one of the most important topics in research worldwide. Against this backdrop, this degree program was established with the expectation that students will acquire a high level of expertise in critically analyzing the phenomenon of digital transformation and dealing with digital sources such as social media posts and electronic newspaper articles efficiently.
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In the second semester, students begin acquiring basic knowledge about politics and media in Japan. In the third semester, they deal intensively with qualitative and quantitative methods in order to be able to conduct independent data analyses later on. In the process, lecturers provide students with various digital materials (ranging from social media posts to YouTube videos) to practice applying the methods. In the fourth semester, students participate in seminars on current issues related to digitalization in Japan (telecommunication policy, world of work, etc.). Careful supervision of final theses is provided through an advanced seminar on scientific presentation.
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Very intensive student supervision, a good atmosphere for discussions and presentations, and the teaching of the current state of research are central features of this degree program.
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Possible career paths after graduation include careers in academia, journalism, diplomacy (e.g. at the German Foreign Office, the Japanese Embassy, or the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs), and the private sector (e.g. German companies in Japan, Japanese companies in Germany and Japan).
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Selected applicants can participate in the exchange program with partner universities in Japan. We recommend that students apply for a DAAD-PROMOS scholarship if they wish to participate in the exchange program at FAU.
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- Admission requirements (first semester)
- Qualification assessment
- Application deadline winter semester
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15.07.
- Application deadline summer semester
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15.01.
- Content-related admission requirements
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- For the Master’s degree program, a completed first university degree (e.g. Bachelor’s degree) with a subject-specific, subject-related or equivalent degree is required.
- A subject-specific degree is a one or two-subject Bachelor’s degree in Japanese Studies. Other Bachelor’s degrees are permitted as subject-related degrees, provided they include elements related to Japanese studies of at least 70 ECTS credits.
- Applicants with an overall grade of up to 2.50 will be admitted directly to the Master’s degree program. Applicants with an overall grade of 2.51 to 3.50 may be admitted after successfully passing a selection interview.
- Detailed information on the admission requirements can be found in the degree program and examination regulations for the MA Digital Japanese Studies and the General Examination Regulations for the Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree Programs at the Faculty of Humanities, Social Sciences, and Theology at FAU.
- Applicants have to prove good knowledge of Japanese and proof can be provided by a one or two-subject Bachelor’s degree in Japanese Studies or by passing the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) at level N2 or another Japanese language exam equivalent to this level (e.g. UNIcert II or level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference). If applicants have not completed a degree or their final school leaving examination qualifying for university entrance in German, they must prove that they are proficient in German, at least to level DSH2.
Language skills
- German language skills for international applicants
- DSH 2 or equivalent
Do you need help or more information?
Our Student Advice and Career Service (IBZ) is the central point of contact for all questions about studying and starting a degree programme. Our Student Service Centres and subject advisors support you in planning your studies.