110-455 Japanese Language and Culture

Formerly available as 110-136. Students who have completed 110-136 are not eligible to enrol in this subject. Students who have completed 110-450, 110-451 and 110-467 are not eligible to enrol in this subject.

110-217 Advanced Japanese B and 110-452 Advanced Japanese Grammar or equivalent or admission to fourth-year honours or the Postgraduate Diploma in Japanese for fourth year students, or permission of the subject coordinator.

In this subject, Japanese social norms are illuminated through reading Japanese authentic texts. These values will be used to account for and make sense of the meaning of certain linguistic choices or culture-specific expressions. This subject focuses on the relationship between Japanese social norms and certain linguistic expressions, exploring their factual and historical background. Students will engage in project work investigating the relationship between Japanese language and culture. Through project work and classroom discussions, students should develop an understanding of Japanese sociocultural norms and ways of speaking and behaving. On completion of the subject, students should be able to use various research tools effectively; gain knowledge of certain Japanese social expectations; and be able to recognise a number of culture specific expressions and use them appropriately.

• 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;

• develop cultural thinking through essay writing, tutorial discussions and presentations;

• develop an understanding of social, ethical and cultural context: through the contextualisation of judgements, developing a critical self-awareness, being open to new ideas and possibilities.

A project work 40% (due at the end of semester), an oral presentation 20% (due late in semester) and a 2-hour final examination 40% (due during the examination period).

Materials supplied by the Asia Institute.