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Summer Abroad Japan - Courses

Design Japan

On this Summer Abroad program, you can:
  • Earn 8 quarter units in 4 weeks.
  • Enroll in UC Davis courses to fulfill degree, major, minor, or GE requirements as listed in the General Catalog.
  • Experience academic coursework enriched by both the program’s location(s) and activities.
Note to Non-UC Davis Students
  • Students from other campuses should consult with their home campus to determine whether courses may be used to fulfill their specific academic requirements. 
  • Semester students who will apply for Summer Financial Aid can get an additional unit to meet unit minimums for financial aid eligibility. Please contact Summer Abroad for additional information.

Syllabus

Design Japan - Draft Syllabus (PDF)

The program syllabus and schedule, including the daily itinerary and planned activities, are subject to change at the discretion of the instructor.

Class Format

Course format is a combination of lecture/discussion and studio/workshop. You will spend much of class sharing ideas, making discoveries and reviewing your work. There will be many experiential field trips to help designers accomplish their tasks and goals.

Earn GE credit! Some courses on this program offer GE credit. Expand the sections below to view course descriptions and type of credit offered.

Courses

You will enroll in the course set below. Auditing is not an option. UC Davis programs are academic programs so participants should expect a substantial amount of course work.

  • Design (DES) 116. Visual Communication: Graphic Design Studio (4 units)
  • Multiple, conceptually-linked assignments focusing on the fundamental choices designers make in translating concepts into effective graphic form. Problem finding and analysis of audience needs. Design process from research and initial concepts to project prototypes. GE credit: AH, VL.
  • Design (DES) 198. Directed Group Study (4 units, Pass/No Pass grading only)
  • This course includes participation on excursions and tours and attendance to guest lectures. Students are often asked to write reflective pieces. Assignment topics vary by program.

OR

  • Design (DES) 199. Special Study for Advanced Undergraduates (4 units)
  • Only available for students that have taken DES 116.
  • Design (DES) 198. Directed Group Study (4 units, Pass/No Pass grading only)
  • This course includes participation on excursions and tours and attendance to guest lectures. Students are often asked to write reflective pieces. Assignment topics vary by program.

Prerequisites

Along with the general eligibility requirements, Study Abroad will be enforcing the completion of the following prerequisites. For non-UC Davis students, the equivalent at your campus:

DES 016—GRAPHIC DESIGN AND COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY (4)

Studio—4 hours; lecture/discussion—2 hours. Prerequisite: DES 1 (may be taken concurrently) or consent of instructor. Priority given to Design students. Introduction to digital tools with emphasis on graphic design including theory, practice, and technology. Includes principles of color, resolution, pixels, vectors, image enhancement, layout, visual organization, visual hierarchy, typography.

Tags

Summer Abroad Japan Design Study Abroad