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Japanese - Faculty of Arts

Offered by the School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics

Campus availability: Clayton

Relevant courses

• 2430 Diploma in Arts (Asian Studies)
• 2446 Diploma in Arts (Japanese Studies)
• 2372 Diploma in Languages (Japanese)
• 0002 Bachelor of Arts (and associated double degrees)
• 3910 Bachelor of Arts (Global)
• 1366 Bachelor of Arts (Languages)
• 0202 Bachelor of Letters

The Japanese studies program offers units in Japanese language, and in Japanese studies (see the Japanese studies entry in this section of the Handbook). A major and a minor are available in both of these areas of study.

The Japanese language program currently provides instruction in the Japanese language from six possible entry levels, catering for students ranging from beginners to semi-native speakers. 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.

Once students' starting points are determined, they will progress through the core language units in sequence. Within the Japanese major, students also take additional elective units in language or in Japanese or Asian studies. Higher-level language study is available through the honours and postgraduate programs.

Students attend weekly lectures and tutorials, and learn through interacting with teachers, classmates and Japanese people in and out of the classroom and through the use of information technology.

Study in Japan - exchange programs

The Japanese program has been active in developing exchanges and there are now agreements with 11 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.  Language units and Japanese studies units can be taken in Japan as a substitute for core units in 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 Japanese language and Japanese studies units. A range of scholarships are available from the university and from the Japanese Government.

For further information visit http://www.arts.monash.edu.au/japanese/about/exchanges.php or contact the exchange program coordinator within the Japanese program.

Study in Japan - Kanazawa program (intensive summer course)

The Japanese program 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 Study Abroad grants. The program allows students to understand more about Japanese culture and society, as well as language. Contact staff in the Japanese program for further information.

Non-Arts students

In some non-Arts courses students are able to take Arts electives and count them towards their course.

If you decide that you want to study a language as part of your non-Arts course you should:

1. Discuss with your home faculty whether you are allowed to include language units as part of your course
2. Check with your home faculty how many units/credit points you may study and at what year-level
3. Select the appropriate language units to enrol in

NB: Because some students will be unable to study language as first-year level units, the School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics have created second-year level codes to enable non-Arts students to complete the equivalent of a first-year sequence in their chosen language. Students wishing to enrol in these units, must discuss any future enrolment with the relevant language program before going any further.

Right of school to determine entry level and approve accelerated enrolment

The Japanese Program Convenor retains the right to determine the proper proficiency level for any particular student. Students are not permitted to accelerate their enrolment without first consulting the Program Convenor.

Sequences and units

First-year sequence

A sequence is normally a first semester first-year level unit which is followed by a second semester first-year level unit in the same discipline.

Minor sequence

Students complete a standard minor chosen from one of the following options:

• 24 points of core language units
• 18 points of core language units plus one second-year level elective chosen from units below.

Major sequence

Students complete a standard major consisting of six of the core language units (Japanese 1 to Japanese 12) as listed below, and also two electives chosen from units below.

Students who exit at level 10 or above will be awarded an 'Advanced Japanese major', students who exit below level 10 will be awarded a 'Basic Japanese major'.

Major sequences - choosing the right entry point for you

Students wishing to undertake Japanese have the option of starting in one of six entry points. The following sequences are provided as guides only. Study abroad units can be taken in place of any core units with the permission of the program. In exceptional circumstances accelerated levels may be possible, with the permission of the program.

Basic major sequences

Basic Japanese major, entry point 1

For students with little or no knowledge of Japanese.

• JPL1010 Japanese 1
• JPL1020 Japanese 2
• JPL2030 Japanese 3
• JPL2040 Japanese 4
• JPL3050 Japanese 5
• JPL3060 Japanese 6
• one second or third year level elective from the list of electives below
• one third year level elective from the list of electives below

Basic Japanese major, entry point 2

For students with post-VCE, lower competence in Japanese or equivalent - placement test necessary.

• JPL1030 Japanese 3
• JPL1040 Japanese 4
• JPL2050 Japanese 5
• JPL2060 Japanese 6
• JPL3070 Japanese 7
• JPL3080 Japanese 8
• one second or third year level elective from the list of electives below
• one third year level elective from the list of electives below

Advance major sequences

Advanced Japanese major, entry point 3

For students with post-VCE, higher competence in Japanese or equivalent - placement test necessary.

• JPL1050 Japanese 5
• JPL1060 Japanese 6
• JPL2070 Japanese 7
• JPL2080 Japanese 8
• JPL3090 Japanese 9
• JPL3100 Japanese 10
• one second or third year level elective from the list of electives below
• one third year level elective from the list of electives below

Advanced Japanese major, entry point 4

For advanced students who may have spent time in Japan. Not suitable for students who have been educated in Japan - placement test necessary.

• JPL1070 Japanese 7
• JPL1080 Japanese 8
• JPL2090 Japanese 9
• JPL2100 Japanese 10
• JPL3110 Japanese 11
• JPL3120 Japanese 12
• one second or third year level elective from the list of electives below
• one third year level elective from the list of electives below

Advanced Japanese major, entry point 5

For very advanced students, not suitable for students who have been educated in Japan - placement test necessary. Students wishing to complete a major commencing at this level require program permission.

• JPL1090 Japanese 9
• JPL1100 Japanese 10
• JPL2110 Japanese 11
• JPL2120 Japanese 12
• two third year level language electives from the list of language electives below
• one second or third year level elective from the list of electives below
• one third year level elective from the list of electives below

Advanced Japanese major, entry point 6

Only available in exceptional circumstances. A major in Japanese language is not normally available with entry at this level. Contact the Japanese Studies program for details.

• JPL1110 Japanese 11
• JPL1120 Japanese 12

Units

Language Study Abroad units

• JPL2990 Language study in Japan (6 points)
• JPL2991 Language study in Japan (12 points)
• JPL3990 Language study in Japan (6 points)
• JPL3991 Language study in Japan (12 points)
• JPL3992 Language study in Japan (24 points)

Summer Semester Intensive In-Country Japanese Program - Kanazawa

• JPL1059 Japanese 5
• JPL1069 Japanese 6
• JPL1079 Japanese 7
• JPL1089 Japanese 8
• JPL2059 Japanese 5
• JPL2069 Japanese 6
• JPL2079 Japanese 7
• JPL2080 Japanese 8
• JPL3059 Japanese 5
• JPL3069 Japanese 6
• JPL3079 Japanese 7
• JPL3080 Japanese 8

Electives

• JPL3000 Adjunct unit in advanced Japanese
• ASN3071 Theory and research in Asian studies*
• Japanese studies units
• Asian studies units
• electives from other disciplines with substantial Japanese studies content may be approved by the Japanese Program Convenor

* This unit must be completed by students intending to enter honours.

Language electives

• JPL2752/JPL3752 Intermediate Japanese reading skills**
• JPL2852/JPL3852 Advanced Japanese reading skills***
• additional core language units - this option allows students who are completing their degree over four years (or who complete an intensive summer course) to complete a four-year sequence in Japanese if their course structure permits

** Suitable for students enrolled in Level 5/6.

*** Suitable for students enrolled in level 7/8 or above.

Contact details

Enquiries (Clayton): Room S423, fourth floor, South Wing, Menzies building

Telephone +61 3 9905 2281 or +61 3 9905 2223

Email lcl.enquiries@arts.monash.edu.au

Visit http://www.arts.monash.edu.au/lcl