110-451 Study of Japanese Language

110-450 Japanese Through Translation and 110-467 Reading Contemporary Japanese Texts or equivalent or admission to the postgraduate diploma or fourth-year honours for fourth year students.

This subject provides opportunities for students to advance their knowledge of Japanese language. It asks students to look at the language from a researcher's viewpoint. They are encouraged to come up with a simple research question about Japanese language, regarding, for example, Japanese syntax, semantics, vocabulary, or pragmatics as well as learners' Japanese development. Students will read relevant academic articles in both English and Japanese in preparation to write an essay on their research. Discussion of research topics and relevant issues in class will help to narrow and clarify the focus of their research. Students who complete this subject should have a deeper understanding of the Japanese language system and its use. They also should have acquired basic research skills.

• written communication through essay writing and seminar discussion;

• attention to detail through essay preparation and writing;

• time management and planning through managing and organising workloads for recommended reading, essay and assignment completion;

• public speaking through tutorial and seminar discussion and class presentations.

For 3rd-year students: an essay of 2000 words 50% (due during the examination period), three quizzes totalling 1200 words 30% (commencing in week 3 to the end of semester) and a 15-minute oral presentation 20% (students are to sign up for different weeks at the start of semester). For 4th-year students: an essay of 2000 words 40% (due during the examination period), three quizzes totalling 1200 words 24% (commencing in week 3 to the end of semester), a 15-minute oral presentation 16% (students are to sign up for different weeks at the start of semester) and an essay of 1000 words 20% (due at the end of semester).

Materials supplied by the Asia Institute.