Monash University: University Handbooks: Postgraduate Handbook 2001: Subjects indexed by faculty
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Japanese studies


The discipline

Monash has exchange agreements with 10 universities in Japan and travel and field grants are available on a competitive basis for postgraduate research projects. Members of the school are active in a broad range of disciplinary and interdisciplinary areas of Japanese studies, including applied linguistics, sociolinguistics, Japanese society, work organisation and industrial relations, political economy, international relations, law, intellectual history, culture and performing arts, gender studies and translation studies.
Specialist courses are available in four areas: applied Japanese linguistics, interpreting and translating, Japanese studies (especially society and culture) and Japanese language. In several of these programs, some overlap is possible, enabling students to combine disciplinary studies with the study of Japanese language or interpreting/translating.
Japanese language and studies subjects are also available within the Graduate Diploma of Arts and MA (Asian Studies) (see ´Asian studies') and as part of the Graduate Diploma of Arts (Tourism) and the Master of Business Administration.
Applied Japanese linguistics programs focus on Japanese linguistics, sociolinguistics, language acquisition and teaching. The subjects in this area are particularly suited to those who wish to teach Japanese as a foreign language or conduct research about communication or language acquisition.
Interpreting and translating courses are open to both native and non-native speakers with advanced proficiency in both Japanese and English.
Japanese studies courses involve the study of Japanese society, culture and economy, including the study of Japan's relations with Australia and other countries.
Japanese language studies from beginners to semi-native level can be incorporated into other courses, while students with advanced competence (level D) may choose to take the Postgraduate Diploma of Arts (Japanese Language).
Further information can be found at http://www.arts.monash.edu.au/prospective/postgraduate/disciplines/
Mid-year entry is available for all of the courses and programs listed below.

Master of Arts in Japanese Studies by research and coursework

General information

Course code: 2846 * Course fees: Local students - HECS; international students - $A13,000 * pa * Coordinator: Alison Tokita

Entry requirements

Completion of the masters qualifying with a research component in Japanese studies with grades of distinction (70+) or above, both in the research component and as an overall average, or an honours degree (or the equivalent) in a relevant field with a grade of H2A or above. Only those students who have demonstrated that they are satisfactorily prepared for their proposed research may proceed to do this course. Intending students are required to apply to the graduate coordinator for Japanese studies and must receive approval from the school's Graduate Program Committee and the faculty Committee for Graduate Studies before being enrolled for the research MA.

Course structure

This is a one-and-a-half-year full-time or three-year part-time program consisting of one-third coursework and two-thirds (66 per cent) thesis. It may be commenced in either semester, subject to a place being available. The coursework will usually comprise two 12-point subjects in Japanese studies. With the permission of the graduate coordinator, one of these may be replaced by a relevant subject from outside the school or by 12 points of Japanese language.
Note that the minimum pass grade for subjects in the Master of Arts in Japanese Studies by research and coursework is 60 C, that is, a grade of credit or above is required in every subject and for the thesis.

Masters Qualifying in Japanese Studies with a research component

General information

Program code: 1988 * Program fees: Local students - HECS; international students - $A13,000 * Coordinator: Alison Tokita

Entry requirements

A bachelors degree with a major in Japanese language or its equivalent, with average grades of credit or above at third-year level.

Course structure

This is a one-year program (or the equivalent part-time) consisting of 48 points. It should contain between 12 and 24 points of research, either in the form of one or two research papers of 12 points each or the 24-point dissertation in Japanese studies. The remaining points may be taken as (no more than 12 points of) Japanese language subjects (with the prefix JLG), and Japanese studies subjects (with prefixes JST, JAL, JIT or JBC), depending on ability to satisfy prerequisites, or a combination of these, after obtaining approval from the Japanese studies coordinator. These subjects will be at fourth-year level. Up to 12 points may be taken in relevant disciplines outside the school with the approval of the graduate coordinator.
Students wishing to proceed to the MA must ensure that by the end of their masters qualifying program, they have completed at least level D in Japanese language.
It may be possible to include study in Japan as part of this program.

Graduate Diploma of Arts (Japanese Studies)

General information

Course code: 0009 * Course fees: Local students - HECS; international students - $A13,000 * Coordinator: Alison Tokita

Entry requirements

A bachelors degree or its equivalent.

Course structure

Students who have not completed a major in the Japanese language will normally include a minimum of 12 points from language subjects (with subject codes prefix ´JLG'). The remaining 36 points are taken from subjects relevant to understanding contemporary Japan. These are normally the subjects which have prefixes ´JST' or ´JAL' , but may include other subjects offered in the school or elsewhere in the university.

Master of Arts in Applied Japanese Linguistics by research and coursework

General information

Course code: 2846 * Course fees: Local students - HECS; international students - $A13,000 * Coordinator: Helen Marriott

Entry requirements

Completion of the masters qualifying with a research component in applied Japanese linguistics with grades of distinction (70+) or above both in the research component and as an overall average, or an honours degree (or the equivalent) in a relevant field with a grade of H2A or above and at least a minor in linguistics or Japanese studies subjects with a linguistic focus, or equivalent. Students should normally possess competence in Japanese equivalent to level D (post-VCE major).
In exceptional cases, students may be admitted by the faculty to the Master of Arts by coursework/research combined after demonstrating outstanding performance in the Graduate Diploma of Arts (Applied Japanese Linguistics), where they have also demonstrated their ability to undertake independent research. As a part of the graduate diploma, they should normally have taken JST4680 (Research paper A in Japanese studies), and as a prerequisite for this, JAL4610 (Research methodology for applied linguistics in Asian languages).

Course structure

This is a one-and-a-half-year full-time or three-year part-time program consisting of one-third coursework and two-thirds (66 per cent) thesis. It may be commenced in either semester, subject to a place being available. The coursework will usually comprise two 12-point subjects in applied Japanese linguistics. With the permission of the graduate coordinator, one of these may be replaced by a relevant subject from outside the school or by 12 points of Japanese language.
Note that the minimum pass grade for subjects in the Master of Arts in Applied Japanese Linguistics by research and coursework is 60 C, that is, a grade of credit or above is required in every subject and for the thesis.

Master of Arts in Applied Japanese Linguistics by coursework

General information

Course code: 0017 * Course fees: Local students - HECS; international students - $A13,000 * Coordinator: Helen Marriott
The course is designed for those people such as practising or prospective teachers or others who are interested in Japanese language and related topics such as intercultural communication. The course aims to extend students' knowledge about the Japanese language and its use, and about language teaching and acquisition.

Entry requirements

Completion of the Graduate Diploma of Arts (Applied Japanese Linguistics) program with credit average grades, or an honours degree (or the equivalent in a relevant field) with a grade of H2B or above.

Course structure

This is a one-year program consisting of 48 points of coursework only. Students usually complete four subjects, to the value of 48 points, and generally these will be selected from the fifth-year level JAL code subjects in the school. Approval may be given to take 12 points outside the school. Students may take up to 12 points of postgraduate Japanese language subjects (JLG codes) (non-native speakers only) or interpreting and translation subjects (JIT codes).
Where students can demonstrate a high capability for undertaking independent research, they may be given permission to enrol in JST5680 (Research paper A in Japanese studies) and complete a short research paper. As a prerequisite, they will need to have taken JAL4610 (Research methodology for applied linguistics in Asian languages).
Note that the minimum pass grade for subjects in the Master of Arts in Applied Japanese Linguistics by coursework is 60 C, that is, a grade of credit or above is required in every subject.

Masters Qualifying in Applied Japanese Linguistics with a research component

General information

Program code: 1988 * Program fees: Local students - HECS; international students - $A13,000 * Coordinator: Helen Marriott
This program has a research focus. It is designed for practising or prospective teachers or others who are interested in Japanese language and related topics such as intercultural communication and who wish to simultaneously develop their own research skills. The program aims to extend students' knowledge about the Japanese language and its use, and/or about language teaching and acquisition through research.

Entry requirements

A bachelors degree or its equivalent with a minimum of level C proficiency in Japanese, and average credit-level grades or above in the third-year subjects. Students should have also completed at least a minor in linguistics at the undergraduate level or Japanese studies subjects with a linguistic focus, or equivalent.

Course structure

This is a one-year program which includes coursework subjects as well as a research component. Normally, students will take four 12-point subjects. JAL4610 (Research methodology for applied linguistics in Asian languages) and JST4680 (Research paper A in Japanese studies) are compulsory. Students may select other relevant coursework subjects to the value of 24 points. Non-native speakers of Japanese may take up to 24 points of postgraduate Japanese language subjects.

Graduate Diploma of Arts (Applied Japanese Linguistics)

General information

Course code: 0108 * Course fees: Local students - HECS; international students - $A13,000 * Coordinator: Helen Marriott
This course is designed for practising or prospective teachers or others who are interested in the Japanese language and related topics such as intercultural communication. The course aims to develop students' knowledge about applied Japanese linguistics, including Japanese language use, language teaching and acquisition.

Entry requirements

A bachelors degree with a minimum of level C proficiency in Japanese at Monash University or its equivalent (ie completion of the most basic undergraduate major). No previous knowledge of linguistics is assumed.

Course structure

Students complete coursework subjects to the value of 48 points, usually four subjects worth 12 points each. There are no compulsory subjects, but students normally take subjects offered by the school in the area of applied Japanese linguistics (prefixed by JAL). It is also possible to include an approved subject taken outside the school up to the value of 12 points, or (for non-native speakers of Japanese) up to 24 points of postgraduate Japanese language subjects.

Master of Arts in Japanese Interpreting and Translation by coursework

General information

Course code: 0017 * Course fees: Local students - HECS; international students - $A13,000 * Coordinator: Yoko Pinkerton
This program is designed for highly motivated graduates who have completed a Postgraduate Diploma or Masters Qualifying in Japanese Interpreting and Translation and who wish to develop advanced competence in consecutive interpreting and translation. This course is suitable for both native and non-native speakers of Japanese.
Graduates should be able to operate as interpreters and translators at a high level of generalist competence. Graduates should also have knowledge and understanding of professional aspects of interpreting and translation and a good knowledge of theoretical concerns relevant to studies of interpreting and translation.

Entry requirements

Completion of a postgraduate diploma in Japanese Interpreting and Translation with an average grade of distinction or above. Honours degree with a grade of H2A or above with a high level of proficiency in Japanese and English. Applicants with a bachelors degree with average grades of distinction or above in the last year of the degree, plus a minimum of three years of practising interpreting and translation as a profession, may also be considered for admission to the masters program.

Course structure

This degree is available by coursework only. The course of study leading to the MA in Japanese Interpreting and Translation is a tightly structured program studied over one year full-time or two years part-time.

Core subjects (24 points)
Elective subjects (24 points)

Note that the minimum pass grade for subjects in the Master of Arts in Japanese Interpreting and Translation by coursework is 60 C, that is, a grade of credit or above is required in every subject.

Postgraduate Diploma of Arts (Japanese Interpreting and Translation)

General information

Course code: 1490 * Course fees: Local students - HECS; international students - $A13,000 * Coordinator: Yoko Pinkerton * At the time of printing, this course version was undergoing approval
This program is designed for highly motivated graduates with high competence in both Japanese and English, who wish to acquire basic skills and knowledge of interpreting and translating. This program is suitable for graduates who intend to use their interpreting and translating skills as an adjunct to their principal duties.
Graduates should be able to perform in most non-specialised consecutive interpreting and translating services within firms and organisations connected with Japan and Australia.

Entry requirements

An undergraduate degree with Japanese language proficiency equivalent to that achieved in level D Japanese at Monash with grades of credit average or above. High proficiency in English is also required.

Course structure

This program is available by coursework only. In addition to seven core subjects totalling 42 points, students are required to take an elective subject of six points (a total of 48 points).

Core subjects

Postgraduate Diploma of Arts (Japanese Language)

General information

Course code: 2545 * Course fees: Local students - HECS; international students - $A13,000
The Postgraduate Diploma of Arts (Japanese Language) is designed to allow graduates who have competence equivalent to at least a basic major in Japanese (level C Japanese) to extend their competence in the language.

Entry requirements

The postgraduate diploma is open to graduates of any undergraduate course who have competence in Japanese to at least the level of an undergraduate major in the beginner's stream (level C). Various entry points are available for students with more advanced competence. Native speakers of Japanese who have completed their secondary education in Japan will not be accepted into this course.

Course structure

The course consists of 48 points, which is equivalent to one year of full-time study. Most students will take the course part-time over two years in order to allow them to complete sequential subjects. Students will normally complete either one eight-point and one four-point, or two six-point language subjects per semester. In addition to language subjects (prefaced by JLG), students may also take Japanese interpreting, translating, business and communication subjects (prefaced by JIT). Students will also have the option of taking a subject in Japanese studies or applied Japanese linguistics up to the value of 12 points. Further advice on suitable subjects for individual students can be obtained from the school.

Schedule of subjects
Subjects in the Japanese language
Subjects in applied Japanese linguistics
Subjects in Japanese studies
Study in Japan

Subject to the approval of the school's Graduate Program Committee and the faculty Committee for Graduate Studies, certain subjects (but no more than 50 per cent of the total requirements for any course) can be taken in Japan. However, students who have not completed their last undergraduate year at Monash will not normally be eligible to study in Japan in the first semester of their candidature. The school currently maintains university-to-university agreements with about 10 Japanese universities. Opportunities exist for scholarships, and interested students should inquire with the convenor of the School's scholarship committee. Faculty approval must be obtained before students can proceed to an overseas study program.

Kanazawa program (summer)

The School of Asian Languages and Studies currently runs a unique 10-week, fee-paying, in-country language study program with Ishikawa Prefecture. Grants are available to a limited number of students. The program allows students to understand more about Japanese culture and society, as well as language. Students should consult the school for further information. The following level C subjects can be taken as part of this program:

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