110-437 Japanese Writing System

110-217 Advanced Japanese B and 110-452 Advanced Japanese Grammar or equivalent; or admission to the postgraduate diploma or fourth year honours for fourth year students.

This subject aims to give students an overview of the current Japanese writing system. Students will become aware of the structural and functional characteristics of words in different scripts. In class, students will examine the formation of kanji and kana-written words, and will analyse their functions. Students will explore how readers perceive and recognise words through reading relevant academic articles both in English and Japanese. They will also practise reading efficiently and write accurately and appropriately. Students who complete this subject should have gained good knowledge of Japanese orthography and have developed skills for appropriate and effective reading and writing.

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 the examinations.

Materials supplied by the Institute.