The virtual Japan Studies Institute (JSI) invites faculty to learn from scholars, business leaders, and education administrators about Japanese civilization, history, language, business, and education. The two-week institute consists of lectures, workshops, and immersive cultural activities.

Previous programs have included diverse topics, such as wartime and occupation in Japan, social relations and the changing role of women in Japan, Japanese foreign policy and regional relations, classical music, ikebana, calligraphy, introductory Japanese, Japanese film in the classroom, and philosophical and religious traditions in Japan.

Institute faculty includes scholars, administrators, and representatives from the local and international Japanese community and government officials.

At the culmination of the institute, participants will develop strategies to incorporate Japanese studies into courses on their campuses.

Program Format

The program will be hosted virtually. Sessions will be held Monday through Friday, June 7–20, 2021, from 12–5:30 p.m. ET/9–2:30 p.m. PT. The formal program is complemented by optional evening activities.

To be considered for this program participants should:

• Have a reliable device and consistent internet access
• Be able to commit to attending all required sessions for the entirety of the program

Participants

The program is ideally suited for university faculty without prior experience in Japanese studies. Participants must also be full-time faculty or administrators at two- or four-year academic institutions with the potential to impact undergraduate education.

Fellowships and Program Costs

Selected participants or their institutions will be required to pay:

• AASCU Member Institution: A non-refundable registration fee of $349
• Non-Member Institution: A non-refundable registration fee of $449

The program covers other costs for participation: Reimbursements will be provided when participants have to purchase items for participation in institute activities (i.e., books, ingredients, etc.).

Sponsors

Funding for the JSI program is made possible by a generous endowment from the Nippon Foundation. AASCU manages and administers the JSI program; San Diego State University provides the academic program.

Participants

Participants must be full-time faculty or administrators at two or four-year academic institutions with the potential to impact undergraduate education and have no prior training or professional experience in Japanese studies.

Application Guidelines

Please note the institute is designed for those without prior professional experience in Japanese studies.

Use this Google Form to apply to the program. All materials must be submitted by April 30, 2021.

Apply Online

You will need these items to complete your application:

• CV or resume
• A one-page recommendation letter from a provost, dean, or department chair who is familiar with your academic achievements and your potential career path
• A nomination form completed on this page, submitted by a provost, dean, or department chair
• A typed, single-spaced, one-page statement of intent that:
  • Explains how your teaching will benefit from the institute, or if you don’t teach, the impact you expect to have on undergraduate education at your institution
  • Outlines the potential benefits of this program to your professional growth
  • Discusses the potential benefits of this program to your institution and community
  • Addresses your interest in broadening your knowledge of Japan and how you plan to use the experience to affect curricula change
  • States how your involvement and contributions will be beneficial to the institute

 Candidate Selection Process and Timeline:

• Application Deadline: Rolling acceptance through April 30, 2021
• Candidate Selection: AASCU will make the final selections and notify final candidates by the end of April 2021
• Acceptance Deadline: Final candidates upon being notified MUST submit a letter of their acceptance along with payment of the registration fee to AASCU by May 14, 2021
• Materials: AASCU will provide access to relevant resources and materials (i.e., institute readings, institute app/learning platform, JSI Participant Guide) to the candidates by end of May 2021
• Program Start: The program officially begins on June 7, 2021
• Program End: The program officially ends on June 20, 2021