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Japan

The 2024 Japan program is available during the Summer 2025 Intersession from June 04 - 18, 2025.

About the Program

Immerse yourself in Japan's rich cinematic and cultural heritage with this unique study abroad program. Through a deep exploration of Japanese films and animation, you’ll gain insights into how cinema reflects and critiques societal issues such as immigration, socio-economic divides, ageism, and nuclear conflict. The program combines engaging film screenings, discussions, and field trips to iconic locations featured in the films. These excursions provide a hands-on experience of Japan’s cultural landscape, allowing you to connect the stories portrayed on screen with their real-world settings.

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About Japan

Hiroshima, you’ll explore how the essence of a place shapes the narratives of the films and how filmmakers use visual storytelling to reflect and critique the social and cultural environment.

The program culminates in a final research project, where you will analyze a Japanese film of your choice, reflecting on its portrayal of social issues and incorporating elements from your journey through Japan. This immersive program offers an unparalleled opportunity to deepen your understanding of cinema, culture, and the stories that define Japan’s society.

Program Requirements

The program cost is $3,899, plus University fees of $240, totaling $4,139.
After you have applied for your desired program, you must make a deposit of $500 via ULINK. The $500 deposit is applied towards the cost of the program. The initial deadline to apply and pay the deposit is December 16th. A $100 late fee will be charged after December 16th. 

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Program cost includes tuition for 6 credit hours, double occupancy lodging, welcome and farewell dinners and two-day trips. Airline information will be provided to the group of participants, but airfare is not included in the program cost and must be purchased by the student. 

English: Moving Image Arts Courses with Geoffrey Marschall

Join us for an immersive journey through Japanese cinema that will enrich your understanding of both film and society. In this course, you'll analyze thought-provoking Japanese films and animation that tackle topics such as immigration, socio-economic divides, ageism, and nuclear conflict.
Through engaging film screenings and discussions, you'll develop a deep understanding of cinematic language and how it portrays complex social issues. Discover how Japanese culture shapes these portrayals and gain insights into the cultural context behind the stories.

The course includes unique field trips to locations featured in the films or that highlight the thematic issues discussed. As a culminating project, you'll write a paper analyzing a Japanese film and its representation of social issues, incorporating elements from our explorations in Japan.

Discover how the essence of a city shapes its stories!

In this course, you will learn the profound impact of location on storytelling, delving into films that are deeply rooted in specific places. From the bustling streets of Tokyo to the historic backdrop of Hiroshima, we’ll examine how various cities and countries influence cinematic narratives.

Through a diverse selection of films—both those made in Japan and those set in other global locales—we will analyze how filmmakers create stories that are inextricably linked to their settings. We’ll explore how these films ground their narratives in their unique locations and how the visual language of film enhances the storytelling process.

Japan Contacts

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