Stream

Japanese Studies - JAPNF13961

Stream Summary

Faculty: ARTSC - Faculty of Arts&Social Science

School: School of Humanities and Languages

Contact: hal@unsw.edu.au

Program: 3961 - Engineering (Honours) / Arts

Award(s):

Bachelor of Arts (Major)

View stream information for previous years

Stream Outline

THIS STREAM IS FOR STUDENTS COMMENCING FROM 2016.

The major stream in Japanese Studies provides you with the opportunity to develop as a competent user of the Japanese language with explicit knowledge of Japanese society and culture. Through provisions of Australia-Japan contact situations, you will gain intercultural awareness and understanding, develop your knowledge of the language, cultures, societies and communities in Japan. The Japanese language plays a key role in expressing the cultures and identities of Japan. Japan is of increasing fundamental importance to Australia for political, strategic and economic reasons in realisation of Australia in the Asian Century. Thus, learning Japanese and developing competence in Japanese will provide you with a privileged form of access to the cultural resources and complex patterns of life in Japan and beyond, take an important role in promoting relationships and mutual understanding between countries and peoples.

There are two main components of Japanese Studies. The first is a focus on the acquisition of competence in the target language. Acquiring target language competence involves a wide range of knowledge and understanding of sociocultural conventions as well as skills in self-expression, both oral and written, and skills in comprehending other’s expression, both oral and written. The second component is the study of aspects of the cultures and societies associated with the Japanese language. We draw upon other disciplines in order to inform understanding of Japanese culture. These disciplines include linguistic, literary, cultural, historical and social productions.

This stream is available to students commencing at Introductory and Intermediate entry levels.

Placement Information

If you have prior language knowledge you will need to take an online placement evaluation so that we can assess your skills and select an appropriate level of course for you. Information about the evaluation and additional course details can be found on the web at: hal.arts.unsw.edu.au

You will not be permitted to enrol in language courses that are too easy for. If this occurs, you will be requested to change your enrolment.

If you are admitted in your first year of study to ARTS2630 or higher on the grounds of ability and/or previous study, such courses will be counted as Level 1 courses in terms of degree requirements.

Stream Learning Outcomes

You should achieve the following learning outcomes upon the successful completion of the stream:
  • Use the Japanese language with a level of fluency and understanding equivalent to an independent user as articulated in the Common European Framework
  • Articulate a broad body of knowledge about aspects of Japanese society, culture and/or the arts
  • Recognise linguistic and cultural diversity in order to examine and comprehend one’s own language and culture

Stream Structure

If you wish to gain a major stream in Japanese Studies, you must complete 60 units of credit in approved courses including a minimum of 18 UOC Contextual Studies courses and the Level 3 capstone course.

If you commence the language studies sequence at Introductory Japanese B, you must go on to complete Advanced Japanese B. In order to have the required 60 UOC for the major, you must complete a further 30 UOC including 24 UOC in contextual courses plus the Level 3 capstone course.

If you commence the language studies sequence at Intermediate Japanese B, you must go on to complete Advanced Japanese B. In order to have the required 60 UOC for the major you must complete a further 42 UOC including at least 12 UOC in professional studies courses (taught in Japanese) and at least 12 UOC in contextual courses (taught in English) plus the Level 3 capstone course.

Note: If you have achieved a higher level of study in a language course, you are not permitted to study a lower level language course.

Introductory Level

Level 1

You must complete the following Level 1 core courses:

Level 2

You must complete the following Level 2 core courses:
And
  • Japanese Contextual Studies Courses (taught in English) (12 UOC)

Level 3

You must complete the following Level 3 core courses:
And 6 UOC from the following:
And
  • Japanese Contextual Studies Course (taught in English) (6 UOC)

Intermediate Level

Level 1

You must complete the following Level 1 core courses:

Level 2

You must complete the following Level 2 core courses:
And
  • Japanese Contextual Studies Courses (taught in English) (12 UOC)

Level 3

You must complete 6 UOC from the following:
And 18 UOC from the following:
  • Japanese Professional Studies Courses (taught in Japanese)
  • Japanese Contextual Studies Courses (taught in English)

Japanese Contextual Studies Courses

The following courses from other subject areas can also be counted towards the Japanese Studies major stream:

Japanese Professional Studies Courses