At a glance
Dates:
June 3–July 28
Application deadline:
The application period is now closed.
Cost:
$7,750
Accommodations:
Host family
See also
Contact
- Hilary Johnson, e-mail
Harvard Summer Program in Kyoto, Japan
Harvard Summer Program in
Kyoto, Japan
A study of Japanese and East Asian cultural beliefs and history
Faculty: Mikael Adolphson and James Robson
Rich in history and tradition, Kyoto was Japan’s capital and the emperor’s residence from 794 until 1868. It is now Japan’s seventh largest city, with a population of 1.4 million people. One can easily retreat into a small temple courtyard, stroll down a narrow street lined with small homes and shops, or relax in a park under a stand of swaying bamboo.
But Kyoto’s modern side is never far away. From the glass and steel architecture of Kyoto Station to the convenience of its world-class subway system, Kyoto is an easy place to live and learn about Japan.
Students who study in the summer program based at Doshisha University encounter both modern and traditional Kyoto. Professor Adolphson’s course examines Japan’s historical traditions and transformations, exploring the nation’s tumultuous move to modernity. Professor Robson’s course provides an introduction to the study of East Asian religions.
Course of study
Students take 2 courses. Noncredit Japanese language instruction with Doshisha staff is provided for students with no previous exposure to the Japanese language.
EALC S-33 Study Abroad in Kyoto, Japan: Introduction to the Study of East Asian Religions (32820)
James Robson.
(4 credits: UN, GR) Limited enrollment
This course is designed as an introduction to the study of East Asian religions. It aims to cover the development and history of Buddhism, Daoism, Confucianism, Shinto, and various forms of popular religion in a cross-cultural setting. The course begins in India, and moves north and east to China and Japan. At the same time we will move (in a meandering way) from ancient times to the present day. This course aims to take full advantage of the setting in Kyoto to introduce students to Japanese religious traditions through the religious and cultural sites of this historical city.
Prerequisites: none.
HIST S-1851 Study Abroad in Kyoto, Japan: Japan—Tradition and Transformation (32604)
Mikael Adolphson.
(4 credits: UN, GR) Limited enrollment
This course examines Japan from the emergence of a court-centered state 1,500 years ago to a warrior-dominated society centuries later. Starting with the people, institutions, and ideas of premodern Japan, the course then turns to the extraordinary transformations of Japan's modern era. It examines the invention of new traditions as one crucial aspect of the process of change from the mid-nineteenth century through the present, and explores how the Japanese have dealt with the dilemmas of modernity.
Prerequisites: none.
Course credit
See Study Abroad Credit Information.
Faculty
Mikael Adolphson, PhD, Professor of Japanese Cultural Studies, University of Alberta
James Robson, PhD, Associate Professor of East Asian Languages and Civilizations, Harvard University
Application
The application period is now closed.
Students must be at least 18 years old, have completed at least 1 year of college or be a first-year student, and be in good academic standing to apply.
The application materials, outlined below, are due February 3:
- A completed online application that includes:
- A $50 nonrefundable application fee
- A statement of interest in the program, including information on relevant coursework and travel experience abroad (previous travel is not a prerequisite)
- Transcripts (student record accepted for Harvard students)
Program directors may ask for interviews.
Students are notified of admission decisions by mid-February.
Cost
There is a nonrefundable $50 application fee. The cost of the program is $7,750 and includes the following:
- Tuition
- Room and some meals
- All scheduled excursions and extracurricular activities
In addition to the program fee, students are responsible for:
- A health insurance fee ($195; waived if students have US insurance that provides coverage outside the United States)
- Transportation to and from Kyoto
- The cost of passports and visas (if the latter is needed)
- Any immunizations
Suggested budget
See a sample budget for estimated expenses.
How to pay and funding options
See Funding and Payment for payment deadlines, deposit amounts, and more information, including funding options for Harvard College students.
Accommodations
Students stay in homes with local families where they have the best chance to experience the Japanese way of life. Each student has a private room. Access to a kitchen, laundry facilities, and a telephone may be arranged between the students and the family. Families live in safe neighborhoods within commuting distance of the university.
Additional information
Contact Theodore J. Gilman, tgilman@fas.harvard.edu.
Students with disabilities should contact the disability services coordinator as soon as possible. See Students with Disabilities for more information.
