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Spring Semester in Tokyo Academic Program
Since 1994, our Law Program in Japan has offered law students a unique opportunity to participate in a study-abroad experience that prepares the next generation of lawyers to practice in the global marketplace. In addition to studying Asian, international, and comparative law with an outstanding faculty composed of American and Japanese-educated professors, students are daily immersed in Japanese culture. Interacting with peers from Japan and elsewhere promotes cultural understanding and provides students with long-term professional contacts. Living in Japan helps students to appreciate the vagaries of cultural differences and to develop skills that enable true cross-cultural cooperation. Ours is the only ABA-approved semester abroad program located in Asia. J.D. students might also be able to take advantage of the opportunity to apply credits earned in Tokyo towards Temple's LL.M. in Transnational Law.
Program Requirements
J.D. students wishing to attend the Semester in Japan Program must have completed their first year of study and be in good academic and disciplinary standing at an ABA-approved law school. Transnational LL.M. students may attend the program in any semester.
J.D. students are encouraged to take Introduction to Japanese Law, but they are free to choose among the courses offered. To ensure they meet all the requirements for their degree, we strongly recommend that J.D. students consult with the academic advisor and dean of students in their home law schools when selecting courses
The Curriculum
The curriculum consists of standard law courses and specialty courses focusing on international, comparative, and Asian legal studies. The specialty courses provide an in-depth understanding of the cultural underpinnings of Japanese and Asian law and expose students to current issues in transnational law and practice. Small class sizes offer students an opportunity to interact often with the faculty and other students. All classes are taught in English. In addition, we offer a non-credit Japanese Language course.
Course Offerings for Spring 2014 (Tentative)
Current Issues in Japanese Law (2 credits)*
East-West Negotiation (3 credits: Limited Enrollment)
Evidence (3 credits)
International Contract Drafting (3 credits)
International Law (3 credits)
International Organizations (2 credits)
International Protection of Human Rights (3 credits)
International Taxation (2 credits)
Introduction to Japanese Law (3 credits)
Professional Responsibility (3 credits)
Project Finance Law (3 credits)
Refugee Law: Writing Seminar (3 credits)
Trusts & Estates (3 credits)
 Course Descriptions for Spring 2013
Course Schedule for Spring 2013
Japanese Language Instruction
To enroll in our program, students do not need to know any Japanese. As even a little familiarity with the language may enhance understanding of the culture, we arrange Japanese language instruction at the University for $350. We offer two courses: an intensive "survival" course for students who have had little or no exposure to the Japanese language; and a beginner/intermediate level course. The survival course meets for 90 minutes, 5 times a week for the first 3 weeks of the semester. The beginner/intermediate course meets for 150 minutes, 3 times a week for 4 weeks (except for the first week when it will meet only twice), commencing in the 4th week of the semester.
Japanese Language Course Description
Temple law students may also audit, at no charge, an introductory Japanese language course on Temple's Philadelphia campus before leaving for Japan. As seats are limited, students must register in advance. Temple law students may not take Japanese for credit toward the J.D. degree.
Academic Calendar - Spring 2014 (Tentative)
January 8 (Wednesday) Orientation (mandatory)
January 9 (Thursday) First day of classes
March 3-7 (Monday - Friday) Spring Break
April 17 (Thursday) Last day of classes
April 21 (Monday) First day of exams
May 2 (Friday) Last day of exams
Academic Calendar - Spring 2013
January 6 (Sunday) Orientation (mandatory)
January 7 (Monday) First day of classes
March 4-8 (Monday - Friday) Spring Break
April 13 (Friday) Last day of classes
April 16 (Monday) First day of exams
April 27 (Saturday) Last day of exams
Accreditation
Temple University School of Law is accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) and is a member of the American Association of Law Schools (AALS). The semester in Japan is accredited by the ABA. Temple University Japan is designated as a foreign university under Japanese law. |