BA Sociology and Japanese

This is an intermediate learners’ level language course which teaches the skills of reception (reading and listening) and production (speaking and writing) in Japanese, and translation of the material learned into English. There is a pre-requisite of Intermediate skills (GCSE AS-level and above) in Japanese or equivalent. 
Please note that there are heavy timetabling requirements for both Japanese and for laboratory-based science subjects. Attendance at dedicated catch-up and/or replacement drop-in sessions on Wednesday afternoons (details to be confirmed) may be required in order to allow students from across the university to cover all the materials adequately

For new students starting their degree in September 2022, this unit is compulsory and as such requires a pass mark of 40% or above at the first sitting in order to progress to the next level of language in semester 2.  Students who fail to meet this requirement will be able to discuss their options with their relevant Programme Director and may be able to move onto the non-language degree award of East Asian Studies.

Available on: BA Japanese Studies and Combinations involving Japanese with other languages and area studies degrees and BA Modern Language with Business and Management etc. 

Not available as a free choice – but if the level is appropriate the convenor may exceptionally admit an external student

Building on students’ prior learning, it aims to broaden students’ vocabulary (both spoken and written), hone their translation skills and deepen their understanding of grammar. There will also be translation exercises between English and Japanese.

•    demonstrate a sure grasp of approximately 560 characters 

•    understand themselves as developing learners and be able to engage effectively with the appropriate resources to negotiate understanding

•    express themselves orally in more advanced role-plays and dialogues on everyday matters and on a wide range of  topics relating to Japanese society
•    show developing proficiency in reading Japanese texts and viewing and hearing TV and other audio and video material in standard Japanese
•    begin to write stylistically appropriate Japanese prose, as well as translate Japanese into appropriate English,
•    effectively use standard dictionaries (Iincluding kanji dictionaries) and grammar references 
•    type Japanese using word-processing packages

•    show developing confidence in interacting with native speakers
 

Resit Assessment

Set texts: 

1. Tobira Gateway to Advanced Japanese Learning Through Content and Multimedia (Tokyo: Kurosio 2010) (ISBN-10: 4874244475 / ISBN-13: 978-4874244470 

2. the separate volume of exercises called Grammar Power (Tokyo: Kurosio 2012) ISBN 978-4-87424-570-5 

3. Power Up your Kanji: 800 Basic Kanji as a Gateway to Advanced Japanese (Tokyo) ( ISBN-10: 4874244874 / ISBN-13: 978-4874244876 

Students require in addition: 

Donna toki  dou tuskau/ Nihongo hyougen bunkei jiten [JLPT N1-N4]  

(Tokyo: Ark 2010) ( ISBN-10: 4757418868 / ISBN-13: 978-4757418868 ) 

Shogakukan Reikaigakushuu kokugojiten (Tokyo: Shogakukan 2011) 

A kanji dictionary that has been approved by the tutors 

Other Recommended Resources 

Dictionary of Intermediate Japanese Grammar (Tokyo: Japan Times 1995) 

Japanese Kanji Flashcards: 750 Kanji Cards: 2 (White Rabbit Press 2010) 

Using Japanese: a guide to contemporary usage (Cambridge: CUP 2000) 

The Japanese Language: An Introduction (Oxford: OUP 1993)