Japan

This course explores the link between Japanese culture and its distinctive and highly developed sense of aesthetics. Students will learn background information about Japanese culture, geography and history and explore how these elements have influenced aesthetics and design. They will identify and examine key aesthetic principles and practices that underpin Japanese art and cultural expressions. As a study abroad offering, this course will include direct experience in the culture, local observation, and reflection, as well as seminars, lectures, and readings to build student understanding of the intersection of Japanese design, culture, art, and aesthetics. By the end of the course, students will be expected to articulate how fundamental cultural and aesthetic precepts are manifested in the art, design, and daily practices of the country. 

Students will be immersed in Japanese culture during this program. The group will spend most of its time living and learning in Tokyo.

Housing for the group will be in a hotel with two students to a room. The group will use public transportation to get around the city, both for program activities and during free time.

The program includes:

• A one-night excursion to the small city of Nikko in the mountainous Tochigi Prefecture.
• A day trip to Kamakura
• Numerous other outings in and around Tokyo

Flights for this program will depart from a New York area airport. Some students may incur additional costs to get to the departure airport to meet the group.

Flights to and from Japan are long, and the whole process of getting to Japan can take 24 hours or so. The time difference between Putney, Vermont and Tokyo, Japan is +12 hours; students should expect to experience jet lag.

At least one program leader will accompany the group on each flight.

Landmark will offer optional shuttle service between campus and the airport, with a stop in Massachusetts and/or Connecticut depending on student demand.

Students may opt out of the group flight; in this case they would be credited the amount of the flight and would make their own round-trip travel booking.

Special Considerations

Consider the following to determine if this course is right for you.

• Free time/Independence: Moderate. For the first two weeks, the group will have full days: class time in the mornings and a local excursion in the afternoons, and a full day activity/excursion on Wednesdays. In the third week the group will have an overnight excursion to Nikko, followed by class time and free time to work on final projects. The two weekends and most evenings will be free for students to use at their leisure, with at least one optional activity in Tokyo offered each weekend. Support will be available for students to find local restaurants and food options, particularly in the first week.
• Physical Demands: Moderate. Transportation around the city will be on foot and via public transit. Some excursions may include significant walking and stamina.
• Transitions: Low to Moderate. The group will stay at the same hotel in Tokyo for the duration of the program except for the one-night excursion to Nikko.
• Stimuli: Medium to High. Tokyo is a huge and busy city and most excursions will involve taking public transportation to sites throughout the city.
• Language Difficulty: Moderate. Some students may find the language barrier intimidating. Many people in popular tourist areas may speak English. Past students have found it helpful to learn a few basic words in Japanese, and have found apps like Google Translate helpful in some interactions. No prior Japanese language experience is necessary for admission to this program.
• Cultural Differences: Significant. Support and orientation is available to students to understand cultural norms in Japan.
• Accessibility Notes: Students with limited mobility, vision, or hearing should reach out to [email protected] if they are considering this program. Landmark’s partner in Japan, IES Abroad, works hard to accommodate student needs of all kinds, but it is helpful to understand student needs as soon as possible in the planning process. Students will have access to Wi-Fi throughout the program and laptops will be used to complete assignments, so students who use technology such as speech-to-text software should not have any issues using these programs to complete work.
• Additional Considerations: The flights to and from Japan are l-o-n-g. The program will start while you are still experiencing jet lag. Housing for most of the program is in small shared (double) rooms. Food options may be limited, or different from what one finds in the U.S. (e.g., soup for breakfast), so dietary flexibility is necessary. Students with particular dietary restrictions or allergies will be responsible for managing these needs on their own. There may be meals when the program will not be able to accommodate individual dietary needs.

The Japanese government has strict restrictions on the kinds of medications that may be brought into the country. Information about bringing medications into Japan can be found at this link: https://jp.usembassy.gov/services/importing-medication/.

Both Landmark College and our partner in Japan, IES Abroad, will collect information from students about the kinds of medications they take, including names and dosages. IES Abroad will advise students about any medications that are not permitted.

While considering whether this program is right for you or not, we advise all students to do their own research about what medications may/may not be brought into Japan. You may wish to talk to your doctor well in advance about potential alternatives if your medications are not permitted.

Academic Prerequisites

ART3711 is a 3-credit, 3000-level course and requires the following prerequisites:

• Good academic standing (GPA of 2.0 or above)
• EDU1011 or EDU1001
• WRT1012 and
• One 1000-level course in the Integrated Arts - can be ART, CER, DRW, MUS, PHO, PNT, THE, VIT or Art History Course or permission of the department chair, Meg Baronian.

The following abilities are also prerequisites for this program:

• Ability to function independently in a large city without direct faculty guidance
• Ability to respect cultural expectations of group conformity
• Ability to make and reflect on connections between experiences and class concepts

Program Director: Christie Herbert, Professor of Arts 

Academic Director: Cynthia Ludlam, Assistant Professor of Ceramics

Program Cost: $11,660

Cost of this program includes:

• Tuition for the 3-credit course
• Group flights with one checked bag
• In-country transportation
• Field trips and housing
• Health insurance for the duration of the program
• Breakfast daily and 3-4 group meals

Student spending can vary depending on the individual. Estimated additional costs are approximately $800 - $1000. Additional costs include:

• Most lunches and dinners. Budget-friendly restaurant options are available.
• Free time activities
• Cell phone costs, if students plan to activate a roaming plan or purchase a local SIM card
• Laundry
• Souvenirs, gifts, etc.
• Additional baggage fees beyond the first checked bag

Landmark College’s “Global Engagement” Scholarship offers a scholarship of up to 50% of the program fee. Scholarships are need-based and in general there are 1 – 2 scholarships available per program.

Applications for the Global Engagement Scholarship for Summer 2025 are now close and all funds have been awarded. The application deadline was Wednesday, February 5, 2025. 

Please note that the scholarship application is separate from the program application – students applying for the scholarship should be sure to complete the program application as well.

Applications for this program are now closed and the program is full The application deadline was Wednesday, February 5, 2025.

Please note the following important dates:

• Application deadline: Wednesday, February 5, 2025
• Admissions notification date: Friday, February 14, 2025
• Enrollment confirmation and deposit due date: Friday, February 21, 2025
• Group pre-departure meeting: TBD

Accepted students must complete the following and submit it using the link in your acceptance email by Friday, February 21: 

1. Release and Indemnification Agreement
2. Health Form
3. Photocopy of Passport Students must be sure to read the Landmark College Conditions of Participation, referenced in the Release form.

Students will also be expected to complete a number of forms for our partner in Japan, IES, starting in March.