Faculty of Arts

 Japanese

Table of Contents

Subject Lists
    Subject descriptions

Japanese language and Japanese studies are offered by the Department of Japanese and Chinese. Students commence their study of Japanese at the level appropriate to their background in the language. New students who have had some prior experience with the language take a placement test on the Tuesday preceding the first week of semester to determine the appropriate enrolment level.

The language stream or level in which a student enrols will be determined by the department. Placement will be based on the students' VCE results, other language study records and a placement test. However, enrolment will remain provisional until confirmed or, alternatively, altered in the light of new evidence that might emerge during the first weeks of teaching. Whenever possible, changes will be made in the first two weeks of the semester. Changes in weeks 3 and 4 must be reported to the Associate Dean.

As all Japanese subjects are of single semester duration in 1998, some students may commence with a second semester level subject. Students of Faculties other than Arts may enrol in Japanese in any year of their course with the approval of their Faculty and the Faculty of Arts. They must enrol in the appropriate level.

Success in Japanese language courses is heavily dependent on regular participation in class combined with continuous study; accordingly all Japanese language subjects have a 70% minimum attendance requirement in order to sit the final exam.

Interested students should get a copy of the Japanese Course and Subject Guide available from the department.

 1. Japanese language timetable

Timetable arrangements for Japanese language subjects are made at designated meetings on the Tuesday preceding the first week of semester. Any student unable to attend should send someone on their behalf. Students studying part time should be aware that classes are only held during the day.

 2. Requirements for a major

A major in Japanese requires the following:

• completion of five 16.7 point Japanese subjects at second or third-year level (83.5 points);
• the minimum level of proficiency to qualify for the major is completion of 158-126 Japanese 3B.

 3. Entry to Honours

The prerequisite for admission to Japanese Honours is the following:

• completion of the requirements for the pass degree;
• completion of the requirements for the Japanese major;
• achievement of at least an H2A average over that major;
• completion of 158-327 Research On Japan.

Intending Honours students must submit a well defined proposal for an Honours research project in November of the preceding year, and made arrangements for appropriate supervision with advice from the Honours Coordinator.

 4. Honours requirements

 4.1. Pure Honours

Students undertaking Pure Honours in Japanese complete:

• 158-429 Japanese Honours Thesis (33.3 points), and;
• a minimum of 33.3 points of advanced Japanese language subjects, commencing at the appropriate level, and, as a minimum, at language level 4, and;
• two Japanese studies subjects, selected from:
  • 158-434 Japan Today by Satellite Television
  • 158-444 Advanced Reading in Japanese Economic Texts
  • 158-447 Prejudice and Pride: Social Problems in Japan
  • 158-423 Independent Research Project - Japanese
  • 158-428 Advanced Translation Project.
  Japan Today by Satellite Television, Independent Research Project - Japanese, Advanced Translation Project, Prejudice and Pride: Social Problems in Japan, and Advanced Reading in Japanese Economic Texts. With the permission of the Coordinator of the Japanese Program students may substitute one Japanese studies subject with a relevant subject in another department.

 4.2. Combined Honours

Students taking Combined Honours in Japanese complete:

• 33.3 points of advanced Japanese language subjects, and;
• 158-429 Japanese Honours Thesis or a thesis in the combining department (33.3 points), and;
• subjects from the combining department according to the requirements of that department.

 5. Language study abroad

Students undertaking Japanese in the Department may undertake language study abroad for credit towards their Arts course, normally after a minimum of two years of university study. An application for credit must be lodged prior to proceeding overseas. Interested students should consult the Faculty Office regarding credit and the International Centre for application forms and information on exchange programs. It is recommended that you start planning in April.

 6. For more information

Please contact:

Subject descriptions

158-120 Japanese 1A
158-121 Japanese 1B
158-122 Japanese 2A
158-123 Japanese 2B
158-125 Japanese 3A
158-126 Japanese 3B
158-128 Japanese 4A
158-129 Japanese 4B
158-140 Discover Japan
158-230 Japanese 5A
158-231 Japanese 5B
158-240 Special Seminar in Japanese Studies
158-245 Japanese Popular Culture
158-246 Contemporary Japanese Society
158-248 The Dynamics of Japanese Architecture
158-327 Research On Japan
158-432 Japanese 6A
158-433 Japanese 6B
158-434 Japan Today by Satellite Television
158-444 Advanced Reading in Japanese Economic Texts
158-447 Prejudice and Pride: Social Problems in Japan
158-423 Independent Research Project - Japanese
158-428 Advanced Translation Project
158-429 Japanese Honours Thesis

Status:                   Official 1998
Last Modified:            Tuesday October 21 17:09
SGML to HTML Conversion:  Information Technology Services
Authorised by:            Academic Registrar
Email Enquiries:          Course_Information@registrar.unimelb.edu.au