Bachelor of Arts in Japanese

at Shorelight Group - The University of Utah USA

Rhetoric is the study of effective speaking and writing: it is the art of argument and persuasion. Through the Writing and Rhetoric Studies program, you will become a strong analytical thinker and proficient writer. Students of this program learn rhetorical analysis and the ways that culture and society shape what we define as “literacy,” giving you critical thinking skills and social awareness that can be applied to a number of pursuits. Students in the program choose courses from topics such as under-represented rhetorics, rhetorics of gender, writing poplular non-fiction, professional discourse, grammar and stylistics, digital storytelling, writing as a social practice, and others. The culminating experience of the program is a senior seminar, synthesizing all of the student's undergraduate work into a portfolio piece. Employers consistently rank written communication skills as among the most-desired abilities in job candidates, and strong writing and argumentation abilities are excellent assets for graduate-level coursework.

Civil Engineering Computer Engineering includes the design, implementation, and programming of digital computers and computer-controlled electronic systems. Computer engineers do everything from write operating systems software to design next-generation microprocessors. The School of Computing and the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering jointly offer a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Engineering, allowing students to pursue their passions by taking classes from either department. The program is a software- and hardware-oriented degree with courses offered by both the School of Computing and the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. The culminating experience of the program includes a semester capstone or an alternative yearlong project. Computer engineers are in demand, and students who graduate from the program will enter the industry with valuable knowledge in both the hardware and the software aspects of computing.

The University of Utah’s Department of Ballet is consistently recognized as one of the top programs in the country, and it is additionally accredited by the National Association of the Schools of Dance (NASD). The Ballet BFA is for serious students interested in a career in ballet or other dance-related fields and requires discipline, dedication, and a willingness to contribute to a collegial and effective learning environment. Honoring and encouraging both creative and scholarly research, the comprehensive curriculum ultimately prepares graduates to successfully pursue a career within the field of dance. This degree offers a balanced course of study that may include an emphasis in Ballet Teaching or a certificate in Studio Teaching. Students must audition before they can be admitted to the ballet program. Upon admission, courses include numerous ‘in studio’ classes as well as critical thinking and creative process classes. An understanding of dance history, pedagogy, kinesiology, and choreographic process is taught simultaneously with concepts in technique, pointe, men’s class, and partnering to prepare students for a career in various facets of the dance field. Students interested in studying Ballet must audition for the program. Audition and admissions information can be found on the School of Dance webpage.

The Spanish program at the University of Utah is ideal for students who wish to gain a deeper understanding of the Spanish language and the cultures of those who speak it. Students of this program will study the language, literature, history, and society of Spain and Spanish-speaking countries, gaining cross-cultural understanding and an appreciation of diversity. The curriculum consists of courses in Spanish grammar, composition, conversation, and reading. Electives are then chosen from a variety of allied fields, allowing students to focus on the aspects of the language and its speakers that fascinate them most. Topics covered include the literature, film, linguistics, and culture of Latin America and Spain. The program also offers a wide range of seminars in Golden Age, Modern Peninsular, Colonial Latin American, Caribbean, Contemporary Latin American, and U.S. Latina/o studies, as well as Spanish linguistics. This diverse range of study ensures that students will graduate with the language literacy and critical thinking skills they need to be successful in a number of careers.

Quantitative Analysis of Markets & Organizations (QAMO) majors builds analytical, technical, and problem-solving skills by utilizing game theory and econometrics to answer real-world questions. Students learn strategic direction and in-depth analysis. Developed jointly with the University of Utah’s Department of Economics, this major includes advanced courses in mathematics, statistics, economics, and business. QAMO students may also choose optional emphases in the various business disciplines such as entrepreneurship, finance, management, and marketing.

Classics program at the University of Utah includes the study of all facets of the ancient civilizations of Greece and Rome: their history, philosophy, drama, history of science, textual criticism, religion, archeology, and art history. In addition to comparative genre courses and film courses, Classics studies also include reception theory, Western traditions, and the vast influence of Greek and Roman myths, literature, and culture on contemporary and later literature and theory. Students majoring in Classics choose to specialize in either ancient Greek or Latin language and literature. The program consists of four years of language acquisition with a focus on the phonology (the study and classification of speech sounds), morphology (the study of word forms), grammar, and syntax (how words and phrases are arranged) of Greek and Latin, as well as the literature and poetry of each language. The culminating capstone experience allows the student to choose a specific area and topic for a project which demonstrates their skills in language, theory, and writing. Graduates of the program will leave the university with thorough training in the ancient languages of Greek and Latin and their literatures, preparing students for work in government or private fields, as well as additional schooling at the graduate level.

Anthropology is the study of human beings; their cultures, biology, behaviors, and their changes through time (evolution). Because we study all aspects of humans, anthropology is said to be holistic and inter-disciplinary, that is anthropologists work hand-in-hand with other sciences such as biology, physiology, sociology and psychology—just to name a few.

At the University of Utah, the Anthropology Department is divided into four main divisions: Cultural, Biological, Evolutionary Ecology, and Archaeology. Cultural anthropology focuses on human cultures and how they vary through time and space—around the world and back through pre-history. Biological anthropology focuses on ancient and modern human anatomical, physiological, and biological variability. Biological anthropology also concerns itself with non-human primates like chimpanzees and gorillas—by studying them, we hope to learn more about ourselves. Archaeology is the excavation and interpretation of what humans leave behind in order to infer how and why humans have evolved. Evolutionary ecology (sometimes known as behavioral ecology) examines human (and non-human primate) behavior and life-history—why did human beings evolve the way they did?

Ultimately, anthropologists use all four sub-disciplines to describe and explain past and present human diversity. The Department takes a theoretically-driven, empirically-informed perspective focusing on the following specific areas of expertise: archaeology, genetics, behavioral ecology, paleoanthropology, hunter-gatherer behavior, and human and non-human primate behavior.

Study product design through the Multi-Disciplinary Design program at the University of Utah. This exciting curriculum uses product design as a vehicle to investigate a number of broader concepts in design and creativity, such as: design research, human-centered design principles, interface development, articulation of product forms, materials, and digital manufacturing principles. Students complete courses from four areas of design: Studio, Technical, History/Theory, and Practice. Through classes on design, graphics, visual communication, and other topics, students will understand the connections among cross-disciplinary design specialties. As a multi-disciplinary design student, you will help map the future of design through production, research, strategy, entrepreneurship, and applied futurism, preparing you for an exciting career in the industry.

Delve into a foreign language, learn about another culture, and become a truly global citizen with the Chinese BA at the University of Utah. Chinese students will gain a deeper understanding of a culture other than their own through the study of language, literature, and society: the curriculum includes language classes from beginning to advanced levels, with additional courses covering Chinese philosophy and culture. The Chinese program aims to provide a well-rounded education on China, ultimately helping you to master the necessary language skills and intellectual understanding that will prepare you for a career in a China-related field.

Pursue your passion for dramatic expression and creative exploration with the Theatre BFA. The program offers four emphasis areas: the Actor Training Program (ATP), the Musical Theatre Program (MTP), the Performing Arts Design Program (PADP), and the Stage Management Program. The program curriculum is then specialized to each emphasis area. ATP and MTP students must audition for admission to their respective programs, and from there they receive training in various acting, singing, and movement topics, while the other Theatre BFA programs require an application. PADP students complete coursework in costume, scenery, lighting, and sound design, while Stage Management students take classes in production, stage directing, and stagecraft. If you are interested in becoming a theatre teacher, you can also complete the Theatre Teaching major.