110-467 Reading Contemporary Japanese Texts

Formerly available as 110-111 or 158-230/330/430. Students who have completed 110-111 or 158-230/330/430 are not eligible to enrol in this subject.

Two of the following subjects: 110-437 Characteristics of the Japanese Writing System, 110-468 Colloquial Japanese (through Contemporary film/ TV drama), and 110-455 Japanese Language and Culture; or equivalent. Or admission to fourth-year honours or the Postgraduate Diploma in Japanese for fourth-year students.

This subject aims to familiarise students with authentic contemporary Japanese texts. It asks students to read various forms and styles of reading materials including well-known contemporary Japanese novels and poems. In class, students will be guided to read them through learning new vocabulary, phrases, and expressions. They will also be trained to use some useful reading strategies. While reading, students will examine Japanese culture-specific language use in various contexts, and will explore their background phenomena. By the time of the completion of this subject, students should have developed linguistic and metalinguistic awareness by paying attention to detail, and should have developed further understanding of cultural-specific language. Students who complete this subject are expected to have gained confidence to read other contemporary Japanese texts on their own.

Assignments totalling 2000 words for 3rd year, 3000 words for 4th year, and examinations totalling 2000 words. Students are required to attend a minimum of 70% of all classes in order to be eligible to take examinations.

Materials will be available from the Institute.