Overview
This semester program is only available to UC Berkeley and Merced students. All other students should refer to the Contemporary Japan, Joint UC-International Christian University (Quarter) program.
This program focuses attention on Japan today and the recent evolution of its society and culture. The curriculum features a core course taught in English titled Contemporary Japan from Ramuné to Anime, which provides a historical survey of post-1945 Japanese pop culture. This includes such genres as anime and manga, and intensive fieldwork in the urban culture of today’s Tokyo. It examines recent Japanese media culture in terms of Japan’s place in a globalizing world and issues specific to modern Japan (immigration, falling birth rate, globalized youth culture, economic restructuring, and the nation’s role in world affairs).
International Christian University (ICU) is a relatively small institution located in a western suburb of Tokyo on a spacious, peaceful campus. Students attend classes with other UC students, international students, and Japanese students.
Course Opportunities
Interdisciplinary and subject-specific courses on contemporary Japanese culture in the areas of art, communication, pop culture, media, economic development, sociology, history, politics, and society; a core course, titled Contemporary Japan from Ramuné to Anime, is required. Though the program is uniquely suited to students in the humanities, it is open to social sciences majors with interest in the program’s primary themes.
In addition to the core course you take one or two additional courses selected from the curriculum or an intensive language course.
Use the following resources to learn about EAP courses:
- EAP Program Search provides information on general areas of study.
- MyEAP Course Catalog list of specific program courses previously taken by UC students.
- MyEAP Course Catalog list of ICU and intensive language courses previously taken by UC students. Additional courses may be available and not all courses may still be offered.
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Host institution online catalogs or course listings:
Units
You are required to take a full-time course of study while abroad. UC Berkeley and Merced students take a minimum of 19.5 quarter units and participate in a required 1.5-unit independent study module that counts toward the 19.5 units to earn a semester’s credit.
Unit values vary from course to course. For example:
- The required core course is 8 UC quarter units and must be taken for a letter grade
- Selected curriculum courses are 4 UC quarter units each
- Intensive language courses are 12 UC quarter units
Language of Instruction
English
Language Study
Students with no prior background in Japanese language are required to take an introductory Japanese language course at ICU. Students with some Japanese language skills are encouraged to continue their language study, but are not required to do so.
Internships, Research, and Independent Study
Independent study for academic credit may be possible in this program. Arrangements are made at the Study Center after arrival.
Duration
Go to the Participants section to see current or past calendars.
Fall semester: late August to late November
Students with no prior exposure to Japanese language can participate in the Elementary Japanese, Intercultural Institute of Japan program prior to the fall term. Ask your Campus EAP Advisor for details.
You are encouraged to extend your participation in Japan.
Housing
UC students live off campus in EAP-arranged, furnished apartments or dormitories.
On-site Support
EAP students are supported by UC’s network of EAP offices at every UC campus and partnerships with EAP host universities throughout the world. UC faculty and local staff abroad help students integrate into the culture of Japan and provide assistance with academics, housing, safety, and other issues.
See the EAP Program Guide (PDF) for program-specific details about host institutions, program structure, and courses; academic culture and conduct; internships, research, & independent study; units, exams, and grades; orientation; housing; and information about the intensive language program (if applicable).
Host Institutions
International Christian University, Tokyo
International Christian University (ICU) is for students who have limited Japanese language ability and require English language course work, but wish to study with Japanese students in a Japanese cultural environment. ICU is a relatively small institution (approximately 2,800 students) located in Mitaka, a western suburb of Tokyo, on a campus that is considered peaceful and spacious by Japanese standards. It takes just over an hour by bus and train to get to downtown Tokyo from ICU, and is a five-minute bike ride or ten-minute walk to shops, small restaurants (including some American fast-food restaurants), and supermarkets. ICU was founded by Japanese and North American educators shortly after World War II and has earned a reputation as a truly international university. It consists of a graduate school, research institutions, and the College of Liberal Arts, which has divisions of Education, Humanities, International Studies, Languages, Natural Sciences, and Social Sciences. EAP students often think that the majority of courses at ICU are taught in English, but this is not entirely true. About 70 percent of the courses are taught in Japanese with the remaining 30 percent being taught in English. Strong fields include Japanese language and literature, linguistics, history, art history, area studies, psychology, and international relations.
In addition to laboratories, special institutes, and classroom buildings, ICU has a university center with clubrooms, a small lounge and snack bar, bookstore, post office, and auditorium. The Mildred Topp Othmer Library is a state-of-the-art facility with computer resources, expanded materials, and the first fully automated storage and retrieval system in Japan. It houses, in open stacks, a collection of nearly 500,000 volumes and 5,100 periodicals, including a number of English-language newspapers.
Visit the International Christian University website
Estimated Cost
Participation in EAP is a great value! The cost of EAP programs is typically less than that of non-UC study abroad programs. The dollar figures listed in the chart represent: 1) the amount of the fees that are paid directly to EAP in the current year, and 2) an estimate of the amount needed to cover personal living expenses in this location. Personal travel and entertainment are not included here.
Don't forget that you take your financial aid with you and the amount of your financial aid package will be based on the estimated TOTAL COST of this experience, as it is estimated below.
These expenses are estimated for 2009-10. Amounts will vary for 2010-11 participation due to proposed changes to UC fees, exchange rate fluctuation, etc. For a more detailed breakdown of 2009-10 payment information, visit the
Participants Portal and select the appropriate program.
Here’s what is included in the estimate:
- Predeparture expenses (visa, etc.)
- Round-trip transportation from California
- UC fees
- Tuition at partner institution
- Accident and medical insurance
- On-site orientation
- Room and board
- Program excursions
- Books and other incidental expenses
- Automatic transfer of credits and grades to your UC transcript
Estimated EAP Costs*
| Option |
Cost |
| * Based on most recent costs for 2009-2010 to the nearest $100. |
| Fall Semester |
$13,400 |
Application Requirements
Class Level
Sophomore, junior, senior, graduate (undergraduate course work only)
Language Prerequisite
None
GPA
3.0 cumulative GPA at the time of application and maintained through the end of the last term prior to departure. No exceptions.
Minimum Criteria
All applicants must also have:
- Serious academic goals and a clear plan for integrating EAP studies into
the student’s UC degree program
- Social and cross-cultural sensitivity; maturity; ability to adapt successfully
to a different environment and a new education system; ability to assess and
exhibit appropriate behavior in a variety of situations
- A willingness to abide by program regulations
- An endorsement by the Campus EAP Selection Committee and completion of all
campus-specific requirements (an interview may be required)
These are minimum program requirements only and do not guarantee selection. The Campus EAP Office determines selection. The final admission decision is made by International Christian University.
Deadlines
Application deadlines and information on the application process are available through your Campus EAP Office. Supplemental predeparture materials will be required for many programs, including, but not limited to, host institution applications, visa and housing applications, medical clearances, etc.
For participation in the program, you must meet all deadlines and submit complete application materials.
Visit your Campus EAP Office for more information:
