Japanese

The study of Japanese focuses on developing the language skills necessary to understand Japanese ways of life and history. It also aims to facilitate intercultural understanding and success in a globalised world. Students may begin the major at the beginner, advanced beginner or intermediate levels depending on their language proficiency. Students with no previous study of Japanese begin their studies at the beginner level (JAPA141) whilst those who took Japanese Beginners or Continuers at NSW HSC level (or equivalent in other states) enrol in the advanced beginner level commencing with JAPA161 in autumn semester. Students who took Japanese Extension at the HSC enter at the Intermediate level with JAPA261 in autumn semester. All students who wish to enter directly into intermediate level must consult with the Convenor of Japanese.

The study of Japanese language is also available as an elective for Beginners to Intermediate level students. Students whose degree program does not allow them to study a language can study Japanese by enrolling in the Certificate in Languages or the Diploma in Languages.

Students wishing to take Japanese as an elective are encouraged to take JAPA141 in autumn session, or JAPA101 in Summer Session (if available). JAPA102 (if available) and JAPA103 (if available) are offered in spring semester for students with no Japanese language background who are interested in basic Japanese for either teaching or business respectively. JAPA101, 102, and 103 are all terminating subjects, and are not considered as prerequisites for any other subject in Japanese. Students can only receive credit for one of these subjects (JAPA101 or JAPA102 or JAPA103). JAPA110 is available to all students who wish to familiarise themselves with Japanese civilisation and society, but who do not wish to pursue language studies.

Study Abroad opportunities are available to students wishing to pursue language studies in Japan. Scholarships, awarded on academic performance, are available.

Suitably qualified graduates with a major in Japanese wishing to pursue further language studies at a Japanese university may apply for the Graduate Diploma in Japanese.

Major Study

The major in Japanese consists of both language and civilisation subjects, and normally includes a short period of study at a Japanese university (JAPA271: In-country Japanese Session). For students who commence their studies at the beginner or advanced beginner level, the major also includes a summer intensive course on campus in Wollongong (JAPA243).

For beginners and advanced beginner level students, the major in Japanese consists of 82 credit points whilst for intermediate level students the major consists of 62 credit points. The beginner stream assumes no prior knowledge of the language.

Intermediate (non-post-HSC) stream students are required to successfully complete a placement test. Potential students from a non-HSC background should consult with the Convenor of Japanese before enrolment.

A unique feature of the Japanese major for both beginner and intermediate level entry students is the compulsory short period of study at a Japanese university during the winter mid-semester break after successful completion of JAPA261. Students need to meet the costs associated with travel and accommodation for this period of study.

Honours in Japanese (JAPA451/452) are available to high achieving students with a major in Japanese.

Minor Study

Students may take a minor consisting of any four sequential language subjects in Japanese (e.g. JAPA141, JAPA142 and JAPA143, and JAPA261). The minor consists of 28 or 32 credit points of language study, dependent upon the level of entry. Students may not cross-count any subjects from the language minor in any other minor or major study. Whilst the minor will not be stipulated on the students' testamur at graduation, it will be recorded on the academic transcript.

Certificate in Languages (Japanese)

To qualify for the award of the Certificate in Languages (course code 1001) a student must complete a total of at least 24 credit points from subjects listed from the Japanese study program below.

Students are required to complete 3 or 4 sequential language subjects (3 or 4 semesters) depending on level of entry.

Example: A beginner student could take the Certificate by studying JAPA141, JAPA142, JAPA243 and JAPA261. JAPA243 is offered in summer session.

A student who studied Japanese at the HSC Extension level and is commencing university Japanese studies at the intermediate level could complete the Certificate of Languages in Japanese by studying JAPA261, JAPA271 and JAPA262. JAPA271 involves a short period of study at a Japanese university during the mid-year break between semesters.

Other subjects from the Japanese program can be included with the permission of the Director of the Language Centre.

Subjects counted towards any degree cannot also be counted towards the Certificate and subjects counted towards the Certificate cannot be counted towards another degree.

Click here for more information on the Certificate in Languages

Diploma in Languages (Japanese)

To qualify for the award of the Diploma in Languages (course code 1002) a student must complete a total of at least 48 credit points in subjects listed from the Japanese study program below. Students are required to complete 6 or 7 sequential language subjects over a minimum of 6 semesters depending on language level at entry.

Example: A beginner student could take the Diploma by studying JAPA141, JAPA142, JAPA243, JAPA261, JAPA271, JAPA262 and JAPA361. JAPA243 is offered in summer session. JAPA271 requires a short period of study at a Japanese university during the mid-year break between semesters.

A student who studied Japanese at the HSC Extension level and is commencing university Japanese at the intermediate could complete the Diploma of Languages in Japanese by studying JAPA261, JAPA271, JAPA262, JAPA361, JAPA362 and JAPA310. JAPA271 requires a short period of study at a Japanese university during the mid-year break between semesters.

Other subjects from the Japanese program may be included with the permission of the Director of the Language Centre.

Subjects counted towards any degree cannot also be counted towards the Diploma and subjects counted towards the Diploma cannot be counted towards another degree.

Click here for more information on the Diploma of Languages

Honours

See Bachelor of Arts (Honours)

Study Program

Subject Code	Subject Name	Credit Points	Session
Beginners or near beginners Entry
JAPA141	Beginners' Japanese	6	Autumn
JAPA142	Transitional Japanese	6	Spring
JAPA243	Pre-Intermediate Japanese	8	Summer
Advanced beginners Entry
JAPA161	Post-HSC Japanese 1	6	Autumn
JAPA142	Transitional Japanese	6	Spring
JAPA243	Pre-Intermediate Japanese	8	Summer
100 Level: all Students
JAPA110	Japan and the Japanese	6	Spring
200 level: all students
JAPA261	Intermediate Japanese I	8	Autumn
JAPA262	Intermediate Japanese II	8	Spring
JAPA271	In-country Japanese Session (Japan)*	8	Winter (Japan)
LING210	Communicating in a Foreign Language	8	Autumn
300 level: all students
JAPA310	Advanced Readings in Japanese	8	Autumn
JAPA361	Advanced Japanese I	8	Autumn
JAPA362	Advanced Japanese II	8	Spring
Complementary subjects: The following subjects are offered subject to availability. They do not count towards the major in Japanese but can be taken as electives.
JAPA101	An Introduction to Japanese	6	Summer
JAPA102	Japanese Studies for Educational Purposes	6	Spring
JAPA103	Japanese Studies for Business Purposes	6	Spring
SMAC201	Popular Culture in Japan since 1945	8	Autumn
* Subject to availability. Places in JAPA 271 are limited. If all places are not filled by those majoring in Japanese or taking a post-HSC Extension minor, places may be available for Beginner level / Advanced Beginner entry students with a minor in Japanese.