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Japanese Studies
Bachelor of ArtsMajorYear: 2019
Japanese Studies
Contact information
Coordinator
Dr Etsuko Toyoda
Email: etsuko@unimelb.edu.au
Currently enrolled students:
Future students:
Overview
The undergraduate program in Japanese Studies comprises coursework designed to build students’ knowledge and skills in understanding and analysing Japanese language and society.
Japanese subjects are organised in a progressive sequence (of units) from Japanese 1 through to Japanese 8 with several additional units. Entry and exit points are determined by the student’s background in the language, placement testing, prerequisites, or at the discretion of the Japanese program. Students normally progress through the subjects in consecutive order. Mid-year entry is also possible into subjects with even numbers, subject to appropriate prior experience and approval from the convenor of the Japanese Studies program.
The language-society subjects are designed to maximise acquisition of the language and to develop their communication skills in various types of texts, interactional contexts and strategic aspects of meaning making. The curriculum also allows students to develop a broad understanding of cultural, social and historical aspects of Japan. Non-language subjects such as Social Problems in Japan help students understand the complexity and diversity of the society, and challenge stereotypes. Teaching staff create a meeting place where students from a variety of cultural backgrounds can explore intercultural language activities to promote intercultural as well as communicative competence.
Intended learning outcomes
Students that complete this major will:
-
Gain effective oral and written communication skills in Japanese, and an in-depth knowledge of Japanese language, culture and society, relative to their entry level,and develop a capacity to combine knowledge of the Japanese language with one or more disciplines through critical research inquiry.
-
Gain knowledge of the social and cultural diversity of Japan and develop the skills to work with people from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds.
- Gain the ability to set goals and manage time and priorities and work effectively both independently and in groups.
Last updated: 2 February 2021
Structure
100 credit points
Students study Japanese Studies as a Major (100 points) or Minor (75 points) through a progression of six language subjects. The Major also includes an additional two electives.
The entry points for the Major and Minor are as follows:
- Japanese Studies 1 entry point: Students who have never studied Japanese before or have only rudimentary knowledge of the language usually enter the progression at Japanese 1.
- Japanese Studies 3 entry point: Students who have completed VCE Japanese (Second language), IB or have an equivalent language level usually enter the progression at Japanese 3.
- Japanese Studies 5 entry point: Students who perform at an intermediate level in Japanese, for example those who have completed VCE or IB with excellent results or have an equivalent language level usually enter the progression at Japanese 5.
- Japanese Studies 7 entry point: Students who perform at a advanced level in Japanese, for example those who hold N3 of JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test) or have lived or studied in Japan usually enter the progression at Japanese 7.
- Super advanced Japanese: Students with a very advanced level of language study, including for example those who attended several years of Japanese medium school or have spent several years in a Japanese speaking environment would normally begin their study of Japanese with one of the advanced language subjects.
All students enrolling in Japanese Studies at The University of Melbourne for the first time are required to use the online placement tool [link]. This applies to all students, including total beginners and those who have experience with the language, whether through formal study, such as VCE or equivalent, or informally through family or overseas travel. The results of the test are binding and enrolment can only be changed in consultation with the relevant course coordinator. Please refer the following link for further information:
http://arts.unimelb.edu.au/asiainstitute/students/placement-tests
Students completing a major in Japanese Studies will usually undertake 25 points at level one, 37.5 points at level two and 37.5 points at level three. Students completing a minor in Japanese Studies will usually undertake 25 points at level one, 25 points at level two and 25 points at level three.
Subject Options
JAPANESE STUDIES 1 ENTRY POINT
Japanese Studies 1 entry point - Level 1
Students completing a Japanese Studies major or minor with an Japanese Studies 1 entry point are required to complete the following subjects (25 points).
Note:
Japanese 1 and Japanese 2 were formerly called Japanese 1A and 1B respectively
| Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| JAPN10001 | Japanese 1 | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| JAPN10002 | Japanese 2 | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Japanese Studies 1 entry point - Level 2
Students completing the Japanese Studies major with a Japanese Studies 1 entry point are required to complete the following subjects (37.5 points).
Students completing the Japanese Studies minor are only required to complete Japanese 3 and Japanese 4 (25 points).
Note:
Japanese 3 and Japanese 4 were formerly called Japanese 2A and 2B respectively
| Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| JAPN20007 | Japanese 3 | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| JAPN20008 | Japanese 4 | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| JAPN20002 | Introduction to Japanese Communication | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Japanese Studies 1 entry point - Level 3
Students completing the Japanese Studies major with a Japanese Studies 1 entry point are required to complete the following subjects (37.5 points).
Students completing the Japanese Studies minor are only required to complete Japanese 5 and Japanese 6 (25 points).
Note:
Japanese 5 and Japanese 6 were formerly called Japanese 3A and 3B respectively
| Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| JAPN30007 | Japanese 5 | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| JAPN30008 | Japanese 6 | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| JAPN30010 | Signs and Symbols in Japanese | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
JAPANESE STUDIES 3 ENTRY POINT
Japanese Studies 3 entry point - Level 1
Students completing a Japanese Studies major or minor with a Japanese Studies 3 entry point are required to complete the following subjects (25 points).
Note:
Japanese 3 and Japanese 4 were formerly called Japanese 2A and 2B respectively
| Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| JAPN10007 | Japanese 3 | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| JAPN10008 | Japanese 4 | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Japanese Studies 3 entry point - Level 2
Students completing the Japanese Studies major with a Japanese Studies 3 entry point are required to complete the following subjects (37.5 points).
Students completing the Japanese Studies minor are only required to complete Japanese 5 and Japanese 6 (25 points).
Note:
Japanese 5 and Japanese 6 were formerly called Japanese 3A and 3B respectively
| Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| JAPN20013 | Japanese 5 | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| JAPN20014 | Japanese 6 | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| JAPN20009 | Signs and Symbols in Japanese | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Japanese Studies 3 entry point - Level 3
Students completing the Japanese Studies major with a Japanese Studies 3 entry point are required to complete the following subjects (37.5 points).
Students completing the Japanese Studies minor are only required to complete Japanese 7 and Japanese 8 (25 points).
Note:
Japanese 7 and Japanese 8 were formerly called Japanese 4A and 4B respectively
| Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| JAPN30005 | Japanese 7 | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| JAPN30006 | Japanese 8 | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| JAPN30013 | Japanese Grammar in Action | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
JAPANESE STUDIES 5 ENTRY POINT
Japanese Studies 5 entry point - Level 1
Students completing a Japanese Studies major or minor with a Japanese Studies 5 entry point are required to complete the following subjects (25 points).
Note:
Japanese 5 and Japanese 6 were formerly called Japanese 3A and 3B respectively
| Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| JAPN10003 | Japanese 5 | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| JAPN10004 | Japanese 6 | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Japanese Studies 5 entry point - Level 2
Students completing the Japanese Studies major with a Japanese Studies 5 entry point are required to complete the following subjects (37.5 points).
Students completing the Japanese Studies minor are required to complete Japanese 7 and Japanese 8 (25 points).
Note:
Japanese 7 and Japanese 8 were formerly called Japanese 4A and 4B respectively
| Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| JAPN20003 | Japanese 7 | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| JAPN20004 | Japanese 8 | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| JAPN20010 | Japanese Grammar in Action | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Japanese Studies 5 entry point - Level 3
Students completing the Japanese Studies major with a Japanese Studies 5 entry point are required to complete the following subjects (37.5 points).
Students completing the Japanese Studies minor are only required to complete two of the following subjects (25 points).
| Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| JAPN30012 | Variation in Japanese Language | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| JAPN30004 | Japanese through the Media | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| JAPN30011 | Reading Japanese Literature | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
JAPANESE STUDIES 7 ENTRY POINT
Japanese Studies 7 entry point - Level 1
Students completing a Japanese Studies major or minor with a Japanese Studies 7 entry point are required to complete the following subjects (25 points).
Note:
Japanese 7 and Japanese 8 were formerly called Japanese 4A and 4B respectively
| Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| JAPN10005 | Japanese 7 | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| JAPN10006 | Japanese 8 | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Japanese Studies 7 entry point - Level 2
Students completing the Japanese Studies major with a Japanese Studies 7 entry point are required to complete the following subjects (37.5 points).
Students completing the Japanese Studies minor are only required to complete JAPN20012 and JAPN20011 (25 points).
| Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| JAPN20012 | Variation in Japanese Language | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| JAPN20011 | Reading Japanese Literature | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| JAPN20005 | Contemporary Japan |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Winter Term (Off Campus)
|
12.5 |
Japanese Studies 7 entry point - Level 3
Students completing the Japanese Studies major with a Japanese Studies 7 entry point are required to complete the following subjects (37.5 points).
Students completing the Japanese Studies minor are only required to complete JAPN30004 and JAPN30003 (25 points).
| Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| JAPN30004 | Japanese through the Media | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| JAPN30003 | Japanese Through Translation | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| JAPN30002 | Social Problems in Japan | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
SUPER ADVANCED ENTRY POINT
NOTE: Only a minor is available for students beginning at the Super Advanced Entry Point.
Super Advanced Entry Point - Level 1
Students completing the Japanese Studies minor with an Advanced entry point are required to complete the following subjects at Level 1 (25 points).
| Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| JAPN10010 | Variation in Japanese Language | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| JAPN10009 | Reading Japanese Literature | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Super Advanced Entry Point - Level 2
Students completing the Japanese Studies minor with an Advanced entry point are required to complete the following subjects at level 2 (25 points).
| Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| JAPN20005 | Contemporary Japan |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Winter Term (Off Campus)
|
12.5 |
| JAPN20018 | Japanese Through the Media | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Super Advanced Entry Point - Level 3
Students completing the Japanese Studies minor with an Advanced entry point are required to complete the following subjects at level 3 (25 points).
| Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| JAPN30002 | Social Problems in Japan | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| JAPN30003 | Japanese Through Translation | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Links
http://www.asiainstitute.unimelb.edu.au/study/japanese
Last updated: 2 February 2021