Japanese 8

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2012:

None.

4 contact hours and 6 additional hours. Total of 120 hours per semester.

Students must have completed either JAPN30005 Japanese 4A or JAPN30005 Japanese 7 or equivalent to be eligible to enrol in this subject.

New students will have their appropriate entry point determined by the Japanese Program, based on evidence of prior learning and/or results of a placement test as required. Placement Test information here.

None.

Students who have successfully completed JAPN10006/JAPN20004/JAPN30006 Japanese 4B are not eligible to enrol in this subject.

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/

This subject is designed for students who have completed Japanese 7 or those who have similar experience and can recognise around 800 kanji characters. It will enhance students’ academic literacy skills to conduct in-depth research related to Japan. Students will establish advanced Japanese literacy and background knowledge in order to engage in international and political issues surrounding Japan. Students will develop understanding of newspaper genres through reading, writing, and discussing issues in the following key themes in modern Japanese society (themes may change without prior notice): changing traditions and values due to technological advancement and social change; the role of sports in Japanese society, with a focus on Japanese star players outside Japan and internal scandals; and national Japanese language policy. Students will engage in a small scale research project on one of the chosen topics by further investigating the issue and by writing an opinion piece and presenting it to the class. Through the research project they will develop their research skills and will equip themselves with intercultural literacy by analysing issues from various perspectives and participating in group discussions. Additionally, students will also develop agency and critical perspective as a Japanese language user participating in the global community.

On completion of this subject students will be able to:

• Further develop sensitivity to implied meanings from given texts, and be able to relate them with a certain choice of words, sentence structure and cohesive discourse devices.
• Comprehend on-line Japanese newspaper articles quickly with the aid of on-line learning resources and be able to critically analyse targeted issues.
• Write an overall summary of newspaper reports with understanding of this genre
• Further develop skills to write a research paper on a topic related to Japan and present the findings orally
• Express their views on a number of issues in both writing and speaking.
• Identify and manipulate language and discourse structures according to the context of communication
• Develop knowledge and understanding of Japanese traditional and emerging new values, and be able to relate them to wider international context.
• Understand and embrace transnational nature of the world and question any nationalistic movements.

Written work in Japanese, 600 words (due throughout the semester) 15%, oral assessment, 400 words (due mid-semester) 10%, cultural discovery project, 600 words (due towards the end of semester) 15%, critical discussion, 400 words (due end of semester) 10% and a 2-hour examination (during the examination period) 50%. Class attendance is required for this subject; if you do not attend a minimum of 80% 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.

Materials supplied by the Institute.

None.

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

• Bachelor of Biomedicine
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Engineering

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.

On completion of this subject students will have developed:

• Research skills: to find information from various sources, including dictionary, library, the internet and interviewing people
• Reflective skills: to reflect on and monitor one’s learning
• Critical thinking and analysis: to analyse relationship between self and others in various situations in order to express respect and relationships appropriately
• Cultural understandings: to value different cultures and learn from them
• Communication skills: to present opinions in non-threatening manners in both spoken and written forms
• Time management and planning: to plan own academic and social goals over a period of time

New students will have their appropriate entry point determined by the Japanese Program, based on evidence of prior learning and/or results of a placement test as required. Placement Test information here.

Information on the Language Curriculum Reform is available here.