- UCAS course code
- TT12
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Course unit details:
Advanced Readings in Japanese Studies
Unit code | JAPA32000 |
---|---|
Credit rating | 20 |
Unit level | Level 3 |
Teaching period(s) | Full year |
Available as a free choice unit? | No |
Overview
This course unit is for advanced learners of Japanese. It aims to develop students’ proficiency in accurate understanding of advanced Japanese texts, as well as in discussion and writing in Japanese. Furthermore, the course advances students’ knowledge of Japan, enabling them to get to grips with the perspectives of Japanese authors. During the course, students read unedited Japanese texts on a range of topics. They make oral presentations in Japanese about the texts studied and engage in discussion of the texts and the issues raised in them, also in Japanese. Classes will also translate selected text sections. In addition, the classes will focus on developing students’ abilities to write natural and accurate Japanese. Students will be able to use the vocabulary they have acquired through reading in oral and written work, thus advancing their language abilities in an integrated way.
Pre/co-requisites
Unit title | Unit code | Requirement type | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Japanese Language 4 | JAPA51042 | Pre-Requisite | Compulsory |
Japanese Language 5 | JAPA51050 | Pre-Requisite | Compulsory |
Pre-requisite:
Either a mark of 55 or above in JAPA51042 Japanese Language 4 or JAPA51050 Japanese Language 5, or a certified pass in JLPT N2.
Aims
- To develop students’ proficiency in accurate understanding of advanced Japanese written texts, including proficiency in translating such texts into English.
- To develop students’ proficiency in advanced spoken Japanese through oral presentation and class discussion in Japanese.
- To develop students’ proficiency in writing Japanese.
- To develop students’ understanding of a range of important aspects of modern Japanese culture and society through engaging with key works by Japanese authors.
Syllabus
Between two and five topics are covered each semester, with between one and four weeks being devoted to any given topic. Topics covered in recent years have included precarious and casual employment; school non-attendance; social withdrawal; gender; childrearing; nuclear issues. The above should be considered representative examples, as topics may change from year to year.
Teaching and learning methods
- A weekly 90-minute seminar
- Blackboard
- Office hours
Knowledge and understanding
By the end of the course unit, you will have:
- acquired knowledge and understanding of native Japanese perspectives on a range of major issues related to modern Japanese society and culture;
- demonstrated in-depth knowledge and understanding of native Japanese perspectives on one of these issues, along with the ability to critically assess these perspectives in relation to one another.
Intellectual skills
On completion of this unit, successful participants will have further developed their abilities to:
- think and argue critically and coherently
- present information and arguments in a clear and cogent manner, both orally and in writing
Practical skills
On completion of this unit, successful participants will:
- be able to demonstrate accurate understanding of advanced, unedited Japanese texts
- have acquired the ability to make a fluent and coherent oral presentation in Japanese about a topic of advanced difficulty
- have developed skills for oral discussion in Japanese
- be able to write discursive texts in natural and accurate Japanese on topics of advanced difficulty
Transferable skills and personal qualities
On completion of this unit, successful participants will have further developed their abilities to:
- work independently
- think and argue critically and coherently
- present information and arguments in a clear and cogent manner, both orally and in writing
- appreciate, understand and critically appraise other societies and cultures
Employability skills
- Analytical skills
- The course will develop a range of abilities that are essential for much higher-level employment. These include gathering, critically selecting, and organizing information and ideas; analytical, critical thinking; interpreting and assessing sources; articulating coherent, logical and convincing arguments and supporting them by relevant evidence; articulate participation in oral discussion; working independently and to deadlines.
- Other
- It will also develop proficiency in advanced spoken and written Japanese, including translation from Japanese into English. In addition, it will develop critical understanding of a different society, which is valuable for employment with an international dimension. It will develop understanding of a number of key aspects of Japanese society which will be invaluable for those seeking employment in Japan or seeking employment where engagement with Japan is important.
Assessment methods
ASSESSMENT METHODS
Assessment task | Formative or Summative | Weighting within unit (if summative) |
Up to four presentations in Japanese (with assessment of oral presentation, question and answer on the presentation, and accompanying written text for the presentation) | Formative | N/A |
Japanese to English unseen translation exercise | Formative | N/A |
Two presentations in Japanese (with assessment of oral presentation, question and answer on the presentation, and accompanying written text for the presentation)
| Summative | 20% (each presentation 10%) |
Essay on one of the topics covered in the course unit (in Japanese, handwritten). | Summative | 30% |
Examination at end of semester 2 consisting of two parts: (a) Japanese to English translation (b) short essay in Japanese (questions to be about the topics covered in the course). | Summative | 50% |
Feedback methods
Feedback method | Formative or Summative |
Oral and/or written comments on formative presentations. | Formative |
Oral comments and guidance in class on student comprehension and translation. | Formative |
Written corrections and comments on Japanese to English unseen translation exercise. | Formative |
Written comments on essay and summative presentations. | Formative and summative |
Feedback will be returned within the time limits specified in the relevant Faculty and SALC feedback policies. Students are also welcome to come to see the teacher to discuss their essay assignments and comments on them, on the understanding that this de-anonymises the marking. |
Recommended reading
A topic list will be supplied at the start of the course, when copies of specified texts and recommended readings for each topic will be supplied by the tutors. The following works are indicative general works that should be consulted to gain an overall perspective on the course.
Kosugi Reiko. 2003. Furiitā to iu ikikata. Keisō Shobō.
Saitō Tamaki. 1998. Shakai-teki hikikomori – owaranai shishunki. PHP Shinsho.
Okuchi Keiko. 2005. Futōkō to iu ikikata. NHK Books.
Hirota Teruyuki. 1999. Nihonjin no shitsuke wa suitai shita ka. Kōdansha Gendai Shinsho.
小杉礼子著『フリーターという生き方』勁草書房、2003年
斎藤環著『社会的ひきこもり―終わらない思春期』PHP新書、1998年
奥地圭子著『不登校という生き方』日本放送出版協会、2005年
広田照幸著『日本人のしつけは衰退したか』講談社現代新書、1999年
Study hours
Scheduled activity hours | |
---|---|
Assessment written exam | 2 |
Seminars | 33 |
Independent study hours | |
---|---|
Independent study | 165 |
Teaching staff
Staff member | Role |
---|---|
Tim Graf | Unit coordinator |
Aya Homei | Unit coordinator |
Additional notes