General information
The School of Asian Languages and Studies teaches major sequences in four
languages: Chinese, Indonesian, Japanese and Korean as well as a one year
sequence in Javanese. It also offers a major sequence in Japanese studies and
subjects in Chinese studies, Indonesian studies and Korean studies which may be
combined with subjects offered by other schools to form major or minor
sequences in these areas or in Asian studies (subject to approval).
The Chinese, Indonesian and Japanese programs run in-country study programs
over the summer break. Studies in Korea may also be arranged. Research in the
areas covered by the School is supported by the Centre for East Asian Studies,
the Centre for Southeast Asian Studies, the Japanese Studies Centre and the
National Korean Studies Centre. Students studying an Asian language may apply
to Monash International for grants to study in the Asian country where the
language is used on a daily basis.
The School of Asian Languages and Studies offers a first-year sequence in Asian studies: ASN1010 and ASN1020. These subjects form the first-year sequence for major and minor sequences in Chinese studies and in Indonesian studies, and are strongly recommended as the first-year component of the minor and major (subject to approval) in Asian Studies. A number of other subjects with an Asian studies designation are available to students from all language programs. Offered by the school, these subjects include the following.
The
department of Chinese Studies offers six Chinese language streams (A, B, C, D,
E and F) on the Clayton campus and three language streams in business
Chinese (G, H and I) on the Peninsula campus. Students will be placed in
different streams according to their language ability and their previous
language studies. Students who have never studied Chinese should enrol in
stream A (beginners stream). Student who have completed the second language
stream of VCE Chinese or the equivalent should enrol in stream B (post-VCE
stream). Students who have completed the first language stream of VCE Chinese,
students who have additional Chinese language background, and native Mandarin
speakers who have completed a substantial part of their schooling in a Chinese
educational system will be tested by Chinese Studies and placed in an advanced
Chinese stream (streams C, D and E). Students who speak a Chinese dialect and
have completed a substantial part of their schooling in a Chinese educational
system must enrol in stream F (Chinese for dialect speakers).
The head of school retains the right to determine the proper stream for any
particular student.
Once a student's place is determined, he or she will progress through the core language subjects in a designated stream. At each level, students have the alternative to enrol in intensive in-country as part of their stream component (see ´Intensive In-Country Chinese Program' below). The first-year core language subjects of each stream include:
The Department of Chinese Studies runs an intensive in-country fee-paying Chinese language study program at Nanjing Normal University in the capital of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing. Students can choose from either a four week or an eight week program and are eligible to apply for Monash International Study Abroad Grants. The program offers formal language classes as well as one on one tuition, in addition to immersing students in Chinese culture and society. Intensive In-country Chinese Program subjects can be taken as part of any stream within the Department of Chinese Studies, or as an elective for students from other departments. Students should consult the program web page at http://www.arts.monash.edu.au/chinese/nanjing/index.htm for detailed information and must consult with the Department of Chinese Studies before making application. Classes are offered at six language levels.
All Chinese language students in the Chinese languages and studies program are encouraged to enrol in Chinese studies subjects. These subjects have no Chinese language prerequisites and are open to students not studying Chinese language. Chinese studies subjects are taught in the school as well as in the schools of Political and Social Inquiry, Music and Drama and the Faculty of Business and Economics.
The first-year sequence in Chinese studies is ASN1010 (Asian civilisations: the cycle of empires) and ASN1020 (Asian civilisations: crisis and transformation).
The
aim of language courses is to facilitate students' progress toward a high level
of proficiency in the skills of written and oral comprehension, speaking and
writing, on the basis of a good knowledge of the grammar of correct, standard
Indonesian as well as an understanding of the social and cultural context of
language-use. Students are encouraged to take available studies subjects and/or
Javanese as options in order to complete their major. There are three
streams in Indonesian language: (a) beginners, for those who have no
previous knowledge of Indonesian; (b) intermediate, for those who have
completed the second language stream of VCE Indonesian or its equivalent; and
(c) advanced, for those with first language stream VCE Indonesian or other
comparable background.
Please note that the school reserves the right to place a student in the
appropriate stream, and that speakers of Malay are considered as being of
comparable status to background speakers of Indonesian.
Students who wish to fast-track their language major in Indonesian, and gain valuable in-country experience, may make use of the facility to take any one level (two six-point subjects) at Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta in intensive mode. Such courses take approximately six weeks, and are held during the summer. These courses are only available on a fee-paying basis.
A major and a minor sequence in Indonesian studies are also offered within the program. It is strongly recommended that students majoring in Indonesian studies complete a minor sequence in Indonesian language. Students majoring in Indonesian studies who do not complete at least a minor sequence in Indonesian language must complete a first-year sequence in Indonesian language as well as a minor sequence in a discipline study (eg sociology, linguistics). There is no language requirement for students minoring in Indonesian studies.
The
program currently provides instruction in the Japanese language at six levels,
from level A (beginners) to level F (advanced). Students will be
placed in classes appropriate to their ability, which will vary according to
their previous study (at school and at other institutions) and their experience
in Japan. Beginning students commence their study at level A while those
with VCE level Japanese proficiency go into Levels B or C (dependent on placing
testing).
Students who have successfully completed a substantial part of their schooling
in the Japanese education system may not be eligible to enrol in Japanese
language subjects. However, such students may complete a major in Japanese
studies (see under Japanese studies). The head of school retains the right to
determine the proper level for any particular student.
Once
a student's starting point is determined, he or she will progress through the
core language subjects in a designated stream. Those starting in level A
will be in the beginners stream and will proceed through levels A (first
year), B (second year) and C (third year). Those starting in level B will
be in the lower intermediate stream and will proceed through levels B
(first year), C (second year) and D (third year). Those starting at
level C will be in the advanced intermediate stream and will proceed
through levels C (first year), D (second year), and E (third year). Those
starting at level D will be in the advanced stream and will proceed through
levels D (first year), E (second year) and F (third year).
Subjects in Japanese studies are also available (see below).
Students attend weekly lectures and tutorials, and learn through interacting with teachers and Japanese people in and out of the classroom. Most of the language subjects offered by Japanese are in this mode. At the Clayton campus, language subjects are offered at six levels (A--F), catering for students ranging from beginners to semi-native speakers. More advanced postgraduate courses are also available. At the Peninsula campus, a three-year sequence (levels A--C) is offered. Students in the lower intermediate stream are able to complete levels B and C on the Peninsula campus, but take level D in their third year by attending classes at the Clayton campus. Students at the Berwick campus are able to take a two-year sequence (levels A and B). Berwick students entering with post-VCE Japanese are encouraged to do level B at the Clayton campus if they wish to continue to level C in second year. For details about subjects offered at Berwick, see the main entry under ´Outline of studies -- Berwick'.
The school has been active in developing exchanges and there are now agreements with about 10 Japanese institutions. While each exchange has its own features, collectively they provide a wide range of opportunities for students to study in Japan. The credit arrangements vary and need to be clearly verified with the Japanese exchange program coordinator before a student can be assured of receiving credit. The subjects JPL2991/JPL3991/JPL3992 (Language study in Japan) and JPS2991/JPS3991/JPS3992 (Japanese studies in Japan) can be taken in Japan as a substitute for core courses in the Japanese language or in Japanese studies. The first semester of the honours year can also be spent in Japan. Students wishing to study in Japan are encouraged to take both language and Japanese studies subjects at the first-year level. A range of scholarships is available, both from the university and from outside bodies. For further information, students should consult the exchange program coordinator within Japanese.
The School of Asian Languages and Studies currently runs a unique 10-week, fee-paying, in-country language study program with Ishikawa Prefecture. Students can complete two semesters of study (12 points) on an intensive basis. Students are eligible to apply for Monash International Study Abroad Grants. The program allows students to understand more about Japanese culture and society, as well as language. Students should consult Japanese for further information. The following level C subjects can be taken as part of this program.
It is anticipated that level D Japanese may be offered at Kanazawa in the future.
The following pairs of first-year subjects are offered as acceptable first-year sequences and satisfy the prerequisites for admission to second-year-level subjects in Japanese language. Placement tests are required for all but beginners level.
Student level |
Clayton and Peninsula* |
Berwick |
For students with no prior knowledge |
||
For
lower intermediate |
||
For
advanced intermediate students |
||
For
advanced students |
||
*Caulfield students may enrol in subjects offered at the Clayton, Peninsula or Berwick campuses. |
Japanese
studies are taught in English and most require no language prerequisites (with
the exception of subjects in the linguistics stream). They are open to all
students and may be taken as part of a major or minor in Japanese language or
studies, or on their own.
Two subjects form the first-year sequence in Japanese studies: JPS1090
(Understanding contemporary Japan) and ASN1020 (Asian civilisations: an
introduction 2). Together these subjects provide a broad introduction to a
number of aspects of Japanese culture and society and the broader Asian
context. After the first-year sequence, a variety of subjects are available in
two areas: (a) society and culture, and (b) linguistics and
communication.
The following pairs of first-year subjects are offered as acceptable first-year sequences and satisfy the prerequisites for admission to second-year level in Japanese studies:
The Korean language and studies program offers a major and minor sequence in Korean language. Majors in Korean may be completed at both the Clayton and Berwick campuses. There are two streams in Korean language: (a) for those who have no previous knowledge of Korean; and (b) for those who have completed VCE Korean or its equivalent. Stream A (beginners stream) consists of KOR1110 and KOR1120 in the first year. Stream B (post-VCE or equivalent) consists of KOR1210 and KOR1220 in the first year. Placement tests are required for those students who intend to enrol in stream B. The test will be conducted by the Korean language program.
The Korean language and studies program offers a minor sequence in Korean studies. The first-year sequence is ASN1010 (Asian civilisations: the cycle of empires) and ASN1020 (Asian civilisations: crisis and transformation).
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