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About Us

What is KCJS?

Established in September 1989, the Kyoto Consortium for Japanese Studies (KCJS, 京都アメリカ大学コンソーシアム) is a consortium of 13 American universities that sponsors a rigorous, two-semester program for undergraduates who wish to do advanced work in Japanese language and cultural studies during the academic year. In 2009, summer courses in classical and advanced Japanese were added, followed by the addition of a second-year Japanese course in 2014 and a third-year Japanese course in 2016.


Participating institutions are: Boston University, Brown University, University of Chicago, Columbia University/Barnard College, Cornell University, Emory University, Harvard University, University of Pennsylvania, Princeton University, Stanford University, Washington University in St. Louis, and Yale University, in association with the University of Virginia.


Students at institutions outside of the consortium are also welcome and encouraged to apply.
KCJS Summer: Modern Japanese / KCJS Summer: Classical Japanese

KCJS is centrally located in Kyoto on the Imadegawa campus of Doshisha University (同志社大学), bounded on the south by the Imperial Palace grounds, and to the northeast by Shokokuji temple.

To read a brief description of the history of KCJS, please click here.

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Overview of Summer Programs

KCJS Summer 2022: Modern and Classical Japanese have transitioned to virtual summer programs.

Our six-week (Classical Japanese) and eight-week (Modern Japanese) study abroad programs offer intensive language training in Kyoto. This is an excellent opportunity if you would like to:

  • – Raise your Japanese language proficiency to a higher level in a short period of time;
  • – Learn classical Japanese if such a course is not offered at your institution.

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About Kyoto and Doshisha

Kyoto: Where Traditional Meets Modern

Since it was founded in 1989, KCJS has been based in Kyoto. KCJS offers students the unique opportunity to study and live in a culturally rich environment and to explore the heart of Japan.

As the country’s old capital, Kyoto is brimming with historical monuments, temples and shrines that you may have read about in history textbooks or in literary works. These places are embedded in everyday Kyoto life. The city has 17 UNESCO World Heritage sites placing you in the perfect location to explore the cultural heart of Japan.

While traditional styles remain strong, Kyoto also has a modern face. Among historical structures, you can find modern architectures such as brick buildings on Sanjo Street that reflect the influence from the West from Meiji to early Showa as well as the Kyoto Station Building that was opened as the gate to Kyoto in 1997. Having fostered innovative industries in its 1200-year history, Kyoto is now proud of being the home of information technology industries including Nintendo and Kyocera.

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About Doshisha University

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Clarke Memorial Hall, one of the historic buildings on the Doshisha campus

Location. Doshisha University’s Imadegawa campus, where KCJS is located, is bounded on the south by the Kyoto Imperial Palace (Kyoto Gosho) and to the northeast by the Shokoku-ji Temple. There is a subway station (Imadegawa) directly underneath the campus, which makes your commute and trips to the city center very easy. City buses regularly stop in front of the campus, too.

KCJS is located in the Fusokan building on the Imadegawa campus of Doshisha University. This building houses administrative and staff offices, classrooms, and a library called the Doshisha Global Archives.

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(left) Fusokan building, where KCJS is located
(right) Doshisha Global Archives (interior)

KCJS Summer Programs students have access to on-campus facilities including cafeteria, university Co-op bookstore, stationery shop, travel agency, and convenience store. They also have limited access to the main library and Learning Commons.

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History. Originally established in 1875 as Doshisha Eigakko (Academy) by Joseph Hardy Neesima, Doshisha University has always been regarded as one of the top private universities in Japan.

Currently, Doshisha University offers undergraduate and graduate programs in the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences. The university comprises 13 undergraduate programs, 31 departments, The Center for Japanese Language and Culture, and 14 graduate schools including two professional schools (the law school and graduate school of business), and has a student body of over 29,000 students.

 

For more information about Doshisha University, please visit the official website.

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KCJS Academic Year/
Semester Programs

CENTER FOR UNDERGRADUATE GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT/COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY

Center for Undergraduate Global Engagement

606 Kent Hall
Columbia University
1140 Amsterdam, Mail Code 3948
New York, NY 10027 USA
Tel: 212-854-2559
Fax: 212-854-5164
Email: uge@columbia.edu

Kyoto Consortium for Japanese Studies 京都アメリカ大学コンソーシアム

Doshisha University, 2F Fusokan
Karasuma Higashi-iru, Imadegawa-dori
Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto 602-8580 JAPAN

602-8580
京都市上京区今出川通烏丸東入
同志社大学 扶桑館2F

Tel: 075-251-4995
Tel: (+81-75-251-4995)
Fax: 075-229-6300
Fax: (+81-75-229-6300)
Email: fs2244@columbia.edu