Japanese Arts and Aesthetics Minor
The Japanese Arts and Aesthetics Minor is ideal for students who wish to develop cross-cultural competency and learn to integrate Japanese aesthetic theory and practice into their broader pursuits. Students will take a variety of courses in traditional and contemporary Japanese arts and aesthetics including topics such as Japanese tea ceremony, anime, design, etc. This minor is open to students in all majors, but all minor requirements must be completed before graduation.
We offer the following academic classes for University of Illinois credit. Please note that these classes tend to fill up very early. Japan House offers a variety of in-person and online courses covering different topics in Japanese arts and aesthetics. All courses can be found in the Course Catalog under ARTJ. Students must meet the following course requirements for a minimum of 18 credit hours.
ARTJ 101: Introduction to Japanese Aesthetics
Experience and practice a sampling of Japanese arts with featured guest instructors. 2 credit hours.
ARTJ 209: Chado (The Way of Tea)
Explore Japanese Tea Ceremony and its relevance to everyday life. Students will acquire a better understanding of Japanese culture and a new appreciation of their own cultures through the study of the Tea Ceremony and the Zen worldview that informs it. 3 credit hours.
In addition to the required core courses, students are required to take one 100 or 200 level course from the following options below.
ARTJ 199: Special Topics in Japanese Aesthetic Practices
Courses offer an in-depth look at specific aspects of different Japanese art forms including anime, manga, and more. Topic and subject matter to be published in individual course listings. 299 courses may be repeated in the same term or separate terms, if topics vary, to a maximum of 12 hours.
- Ikebana: The Art of Japanese Flower Arrangement - 2 credit hours.
ARTJ 299: Seminar in Japanese Aesthetics
Courses offer an in-depth look at specific aspects of different Japanese art forms including anime, manga, and more. Topic and subject matter to be published in individual course listings. 299 courses may be repeated in the same term or separate terms, if topics vary, to a maximum of 12 hours.
- Exploring Anime through the Works of Studio Ghibli - 3 credit hours.
- Introduction to Japanese Fashion - 3 credit hours.
- Queer Manga - 2 credit hours.
Students are required to take two 300 or 400 level course from the following options below.
ARTJ 301: Manga - The Art of Image and Word
Introduction to manga (Japanese comics), its production, its history in both a Japanese and global context, and the fundamentals of manga as an art form and part of the larger cultural traditions of Japan; emphasis on critical analysis of a variety of manga in translation and related scholarly articles; discussion of the evolution of manga and the ways it interacts with culture and society. 3 credit hours.
ARTJ 302: Introduction to Japanese Animation
Introduction to anime (Japanese animation), its history, its relevance in both a Japanese and global context, and its international impact; emphasis on philosophical inquiry into issues raised in a variety of dubbed/subtitled anime and critical analysis of related scholarly articles; discussion of the mechanics of anime creation and examination of its interaction with other media including videogames and manga. 3 credit hours.
ARTJ 391: Independent Study in Japanese Aesthetics
Directed independent research project or creative project. May be repeated to a maximum of 6 credit hours. Prerequisite: Instructor approval required. Restricted to students in good standing and sophomore or above. 1 to 4 credit hours.
ARTJ 397: Zen, Tea, and Power
Introduction to the dynamic history of Zen, tea, and power through the in-depth explanation and analysis of the development of chanoyu (Japanese tea ceremony); illustration of how interrelated and mutually supportive social groups and key figures in Japanese history; emphasis on critical analysis of scholarly articles and books to gain understanding and knowledge of Japanese arts and culture; discussion of the application of Japanese aesthetics, theories, and philosophies. 3 credit hours.
ARTJ 398: Designing Everyday Life in Modern Japan
Introduction to the modern history of Japanese design from 1920 - Present, its role in continuously reshaping everyday life in Japan as well as the individual and collective identity of its people; emphasis on critical analysis of the practices, philosophies and formal qualities of design through essays and interviews with key designers, historical artifacts and scholarly articles. Prerequisite: Restricted to students with Sophomore standing. 3 credit hours.
ARTJ 399: Japan House Internship
Students will participate in outreach programming and development, communications, and special projects that focus on traditional Japanese arts and culture. Students must apply with an essay and interview process. Instructor approval required. 3 credit hours.
In addition to the required core courses, students are required to take a minimum of two elective courses from the following options below.
Additional ARTJ Courses
Other Japan-focused courses
Additional courses as approved by minor advisor Lindsey Stirek
Questions? Contact japanhouse@illinois.edu
