Japanese

The study of Japanese focuses on developing the language skills necessary to understand Japanese ways of life, and how the past affects the present, linguistically and culturally. It also aims to facilitate intercultural understanding and competence for the 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 start 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, 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 Beginner to Intermediate level students. For instance, students whose degree program does not facilitate Japanese language study can enrol in the Certificate in Languages or the Diploma in Languages (see below for further details).

Students with no prior Japanese language studies who wish to take Japanese as an elective may 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 who are interested in basic Japanese for either teaching or business purposes respectively. JAPA101, 102, and 103 are all terminating subjects, and are not considered as prerequisites for any other subject in Japanese, nor can they be counted towards a minor or major in Japanese. In other words, students can only receive credit for one of these subjects (that is, either JAPA101, JAPA102 or JAPA103).

JAPA110 is compulsory cultural subject for all students majoring in Japanese, but is also available as an elective subject for students from other disciplines who wish to familiarise themselves with Japanese civilisation and society.

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 (JAPA551).

Honours in Japanese (JAPA470) is available to high-achieving students with a major in Japanese, and may be incorporated into or alongside a program of study in Japan.

Major Study

The major in Japanese consists of both language and civilisation subjects such as JAPA110. The Beginner stream assumes no prior knowledge of the language. 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 Beginner 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.

A unique feature of the major is the compulsory short period of study at a Japanese university (JAPA271: In-country Japanese Session) during the winter mid-semester break at the 200 level. Beginner, Advanced-beginner and Intermediate level entry students do JAPA271 after successful completion of JAPA261. Students need to meet the costs associated with travel and accommodation for JAPA271, but the materials, activities and accommodation are offered at a very attractive rate for University of Wollongong students.

Students who have studied Japanese elsewhere (that is, students with a HSC background from interstate or overseas institutions) should consult with the Convenor of Japanese before enrolment and will be required to complete a placement test.

Minor Study

Students may take a minor consisting of any four sequential language subjects in Japanese (e.g. JAPA141, JAPA142 and JAPA243, 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.

As an example, a Beginner level student could complete 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 in 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 at 200 level.

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. Students who complete the Certificate will not receive a testamur or attend a graduation ceremony specifically for the Certificate. Instead, when students do the Certificate concurrently with a Bachelors Degree course, they will have the certificate listed in their Bachelors degree subject transcript upon graduating.

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.

As an example, a Beginner entry level student could complete 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 in 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 be counted towards the Diploma, and subjects counted towards the Diploma cannot be counted towards another degree. Students who complete the Diploma will not receive a testamur or attend a graduation ceremony specifically for the Diploma. Instead, when students do the Diploma concurrently with a Bachelors Degree course, they will have the Diploma listed in their Bachelors degree subject transcript upon graduating.

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	Spring
Advanced beginners entry
JAPA161	Post HSC Japanese I	6	N/O 2012
JAPA162	Post HSC Japanese II	6	N/O 2012
JAPA142	Transitional Japanese	6	Spring
JAPA243	Pre-Intermediate Japanese	8	Spring
Post HSC Extension or equivalent entry
JAPA261	Intermediate Japanese I	8	Autumn
JAPA262	Intermediate Japanese II	8	Spring
JAPA264	Japanese IIC Language (Wollongong)	8	Winter
100 level All students can enrol
JAPA110	Japan and the Japanese	6	Spring
Terminating subjects
JAPA101	An Introduction to Japanese	6	N/O 2012
JAPA102	Japanese Studies for Educational Purposes	6	N/O 2012
JAPA103	Japanese Studies for Business Purposes	6	Spring
200 level All students can enrol if they meet the prerequisites
JAPA271	In-Country Japanese Session	8	Winter
JAPA215	In-Country Language Study	8	Autumn
LING210	Communication across cultures	8	Autumn
300 level All students can enrol if they meet the prerequisites
JAPA361	Advanced Japanese I	8	Autumn
JAPA362	Advanced Japanese II	8	Spring
JAPA310	Advanced Readings in Japanese	8	Spring
JAPA391	Japanese Study Abroad A	8	Autumn
JAPA392	Japanese Study Abroad B	8	Spring
JAPA393	Japanese Study Abroad C	8	Autumn
LANG371	Advanced Studies in Language/Culture A	8	Autumn/Spring
LANG372	Advanced Studies in Language/Culture B	8	Autumn/Spring
LANG373	Advanced Studies in Language/Culture C	8	Autumn/Spring

Other Information

Further information is available at http://coursefinder.uow.edu.au/ or email: Arts - fac-arts@uow.edu.au