Contemporary Japan

Subject JAPN20005 (2011)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2011.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 2 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject is not offered in 2011.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: A 1.5-hour lecture and a 1-hour tutorial per week
Total Time Commitment: 2.5 contact hours/week , 6.0 additional hours/week. Total of 8.5 hours per week.
Prerequisites: None.
Corequisites: None.
Recommended Background Knowledge: None.
Non Allowed Subjects: None.
Core Participation Requirements: For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Contact

@unimelb.edu.au
Subject Overview:

This subject examines the places, people and politics that make Japan today greater than the sum of its parts. Current events will be set in the context of behavioural and cultural trends. Tradition will be seen reinvented in the present. The aim is to lay the foundations for long-term engagement with Japan through educational exchanges and professional and academic careers.
Objectives:
  • demonstrate a familiarity with various themes in contemporary Japanese society.
  • demonstrate a familiarity with various social science models commonly used to interpret Japanese society.
  • demonstrate a familiarity with the English language writings on these issues.
  • acquire an understanding of cultural context through developing a critical self awareness, being open to new ideas and possibilities and by constructing an argument.
  • acquire skills to critically think and analyse through required reading, essay writing and tutorial discussion, and by determining the strength of an argument.
  • be able to communicate knowledge intelligibly and economically through essay and examination writing, and tutorial discussion.
Assessment:

2-hour examination 45% (during examination period), as essay of 2000 words 45% (due-mid semester) and class participation 10% based on contribution to class discussion in tutorials.

Class attendance is required for this subject; if you do not attend a minimum of 75% of classes without an approved exemption you will not be eligible for a pass in this subject. Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per day. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.
Prescribed Texts:

Materials supplied by the Asia Institute.

  • Understanding Japanese Society (J Hendry) Routledge 2004
Recommended Texts:

None.
Breadth Options:

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:
  • 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.
  • critical thinking and analysis through recommended reading, essay writing and tutorial discussion, and by determining strength of an argument.
  • research through competent use of the library, and other information sources and the definition of areas of inquiry and methods of research.
  • develop cultural thinking through essay writing and tutorial discussion.
Notes: Formerly available as 110-220 and 110-116 Contemporary Japanese Society. Students who have completed 110-220 in 2004 or 2005 or 110-116 are not eligible to enrol in this subject.
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Asian Studies
Asian Studies
Asian Studies
Asian Studies Major

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