japanese-studies/ug-arts-japanese-studies

aos

18 September 2017 20 April 2024
Monash University

Undergraduate - Area of study

Students who commenced study in 2015 should refer to this area of study entry for direction on the requirements; to check which units are currently available for enrolment, refer to the unit indexes in the the current edition of the Handbook. If you have any queries contact the managing faculty for your area of study.

print version

This area of study entry applies to students commencing this course in 2015 and should be read in conjunction with the relevant course entry in the Handbook. Any units listed for this area of study relate only to the 'Requirements' outlined in the Faculty of Arts component of any bachelors double degrees.

Managing facultyFaculty of Arts
Offered bySchool of Languages, Literatures, Cultures and Linguistics
Campus(es)Caulfield, Clayton
CoordinatorDr Shimako Iwasaki

Notes

  • Unit codes that are not linked to their entry in the Handbook are not available for study in the current year.

  • If you have studied a language or languages at high school, and wish to start studying in a language at a higher level (for example, Intermediate or Proficient), you will need to undertake an online language placement test to determine your commencement level.

    To do this, see the Language Placement Tests information pageLanguage Placement Tests information page (http://artsonline.monash.edu.au/llcl/language-placement-tests/) and click on the appropriate language test. + Only introductory units are offered at Caulfield.

Description

Historically, Japan is one of the most dynamic nations in Asia. Its history, culture and language are important to the socio-economic development of our region. Understanding Japan is important for regional prosperity. Monash has one of the most extensive programs in Japanese studies in Australia. Language study caters to students from introductory to advanced levels with a flexible structure that allows entry at several levels, and ensures sequential study suitable to student's background. Language units combine the structured development of communication skills with aspects of Japanese society and culture. Elective and capstone units, which are taught in English but incorporate Japanese source materials, cover a number of disciplinary and cross-disciplinary areas of Japanese studies reflecting the key strengths of the program in linguistics/applied linguistics, socio-cultural studies, history and translation. These units further develop students' understanding of Japan and its broader Asian context, as well as their skills in analysis, critical thinking, research and communication. Moreover, exchange agreements with over 10 Japanese universities provide opportunities to incorporate study in Japan into the major. Advanced study is available through the honours and postgraduate programs, which include the Master of Interpreting and Translation Studies and Master of Applied Linguistics.

Students may be required to sit a placement test on entry. Placement tests and information about the linguistic content and level of units are available through the Japanese studies websiteJapanese studies website (http://artsonline.monash.edu.au/japanese/what-level-of-japanese-should-i-enrol-in/).

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the major, students will be able to demonstrate:

  • Japanese literacy, communication skills and metalinguistic knowledge commensurate with the appropriate CEFR level for their stream (B1.1 for Japanese Introductory stream, B1.2 for Japanese Intermediate stream, and B2.1+ for Proficient and Advanced streams)
  • awareness of sociolinguistic and sociocultural aspects of communication and the ability to communicate appropriately and effectively cross-culturally and in cross-language contexts
  • sensitivity to cultural and social values and respect for diversity (gender roles, personal identity, national identity, age hierarchies etc.)
  • understanding of a range of aspects of Japanese culture and society and key concepts and terms in the chosen area of specialisation
  • ability to reflect on meanings associated with their own language, culture and national identity
  • critically assess social and cultural concepts and develop critically appropriate theoretical frameworks for understanding representations of Japanese culture through language and other means
  • independent research skills including enquiry techniques and critical thinking and an awareness of ethical and methodological tensions in research settings
  • ability to complete and present research projects in both Japanese and English, including use of digital tools and resources
  • ability to express ideas about Japanese culture and society in a global context with sophistication.

Right of school to determine entry level and approve accelerated enrolment

The Japanese studies 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.

Non-arts students

Students who want to study Japanese as part of their non-arts course should consult the managing faculty of their course to determine the number and year level of language units for which they are permitted to enrol.

Language study abroad program

The Japanese program has been active in developing exchanges and there are now agreements with over 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. Students wishing to study in Japan are encouraged to take both Japanese language units and units from other disciplines. A range of scholarships are available from the university and from the Japanese government.

For further information visit Japanese Study AbroadJapanese Study Abroad (http://artsonline.monash.edu.au/japanese/study-abroad/) or contact the exchange program coordinator within the Japanese studies program.

Units

Students taking Japanese studies have the option of starting at one of four entry points. The following sequences are provided as guides only. Students who wish to accelerate through the proficiency levels either by taking language study abroad units or because their language acquisition results allow this, must consult with the program convenor before enrolling.

Minor in Japanese studies

Students completing a minorminor (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2015handbooks/undergrad/arts-07.html) in Japanese studies must complete four units (24 points), including:

  • at least 18 points of language units, following the appropriate entry point guidelines

Note: At least 12 points must be completed at second or third-year levels.

Major in Japanese studies: Entry point 1 - Introductory

For students with little or no knowledge of the language

Students completing a majormajor (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2015handbooks/undergrad/arts-07.html) in Japanese studies from entry point 1 must complete eight units (48 points), including:

(a.) two first-year gateway unitsgateway units (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2015handbooks/undergrad/arts-08.html) (12 points):

(b.) two second-year cornerstone unitscornerstone units (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2015handbooks/undergrad/arts-08.html) (12 points):

(c.)one third-year capstone unitcapstone unit (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2015handbooks/undergrad/arts-08.html) (6 points), chosen from:

  • ATS3083 Translating across cultures*
  • ATS3649 Japanese: Language and society
  • ATS3948 Internship (undergraduate) **
  • ATS3951 Japanese popular culture and identity

(d.) two language units (12 points):

(e.) one additional elective unit chosen from the list of electives below (6 points)

A minimum of three units (18 points) must be completed at third-year level.

Note: Approved language study abroad units can replace language units or electives. Students can take additional capstone units as electives.

* This unit is only available for students who have completed ATS2146/ATS3146 Japanese proficient 2.

** The internship must be relevant to Japanese studies.

Major in Japanese studies: Entry point 2 - Intermediate

For students with post-VCE competence in Japanese or equivalent

Students completing a majormajor (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2015handbooks/undergrad/arts-07.html) in Japanese studies from entry point 2 must complete eight units (48 points), including:

(a.) two second-year cornerstone unitscornerstone units (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2015handbooks/undergrad/arts-08.html) (12 points):

(b.)one third-year capstone unitcapstone unit (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2015handbooks/undergrad/arts-08.html) (6 points), chosen from:

  • ATS3083 Translating across cultures*
  • ATS3649 Japanese: Language and society
  • ATS3948 Internship (undergraduate) **
  • ATS3951 Japanese popular culture and identity

(c.) four language units (24 points):

(d.) one additional elective unit chosen from the list of electives below (6 points)

A minimum of three units (18 points) must be completed at third-year level.

Note: Approved language study abroad units can replace language units or electives. Students can take additional capstone units as electives.

* This unit is only available for students who have completed ATS2146/ATS3146 Japanese proficient 2.

** The internship must be relevant to Japanese studies.

Major in Japanese studies: Entry point 3 - Proficient

For students with very high post-VCE competence in Japanese or equivalent

Students completing a majormajor (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2015handbooks/undergrad/arts-07.html) in Japanese studies from entry point 3 must complete eight units (48 points), including:

(a.) two second-year cornerstone unitscornerstone units (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2015handbooks/undergrad/arts-08.html) (12 points):

(b.) one third-year capstone unitcapstone unit (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2015handbooks/undergrad/arts-08.html) (6 points), chosen from:

  • ATS3083 Translating across cultures*
  • ATS3649 Japanese: Language and society
  • ATS3948 Internship (undergraduate) **
  • ATS3951 Japanese popular culture and identity

(c.) two language units (12 points):

  • ATS3147 Japanese studies advanced 1
  • ATS3148 Japanese studies advanced 2

(d.) two third-year units (12 points), chosen from:

  • ATS3083 Translating across cultures***
  • ATS3151 Japanese studies advanced: Current issues
  • ATS3152 Japanese studies advanced: Literature and literary translation
  • ATS3978 Japanese communication in professional settings

(e.) one additional elective unit chosen from the list of electives below (6 points)

A minimum of three units (18 points) must be completed at third-year level.

Note: Approved language study abroad units can replace language units or electives. Students can take additional capstone units as electives.

* This unit is only available for students who have completed ATS2146/ATS3146 Japanese proficient 2.

** The internship must be relevant to Japanese studies.

*** If not already completed as a capstone unit.

Major in Japanese Studies: Advanced students

For students with advanced competence equivalent to completion of Japanese proficient 2 or higher, including students with a home background in Japanese or who have lived in Japan for at least a year. Students who have been educated in Japan to year 12 level or have similar competence are not suitable for this stream and should consider taking a major in International studiesInternational studies (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/aos/international-studies/ug-arts-international-studies.html) (Asian studies stream) and/or a minor in Japanese studies consisting of post-advanced units.

Students completing a majormajor (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2015handbooks/undergrad/arts-07.html) in Japanese studies from the advanced level must complete eight units (48 points), including:

(a.) one second-year cornerstone unitcornerstone unit (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2015handbooks/undergrad/arts-08.html) (6 points):

(b.) one third-year capstone unitcapstone unit (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2015handbooks/undergrad/arts-08.html) (6 points), chosen from:

  • ATS3083 Translating across cultures*
  • ATS3649 Japanese: Language and society
  • ATS3948 Internship (undergraduate) **
  • ATS3951 Japanese popular culture and identity

(c.) five language units (30 points):

  • ATS3147 Japanese studies advanced 1
  • ATS3148 Japanese studies advanced 2
  • ATS3151 Japanese studies advanced: Current issues
  • ATS3152 Japanese studies advanced: Literature and literary translation
  • ATS3978 Japanese communication in professional settings

(d.) one additional elective chosen from the list of electives below (6 points).

A minimum of three units (18 points) must be completed at third-year level.

Note: Approved language study abroad units can replace language units.

* This unit is only available for students who have completed ATS2146/ATS3146 Japanese proficient 2.

** The internship must be relevant to Japanese studies.

Extended major in Japanese studies

Students completing an extended major in Japanese studies (60 points), from any entry point, must complete an additional 12 points by completing either:

  • 12 points of third-year level elective units not previously taken
  • 12 points of third-year level capstone units not previously taken

Elective units

  • ATS2382 War and memory in the Asia Pacific: Legacies of World War II
  • ATS2648 Contemporary Japan
  • ATS2653 Studies in Japanese interaction and language use
  • ATS2941 Asia's underside: Violence, crime and protest
  • ATS3064 Intercultural communication: Developing competences in a multicultural context
  • ATS3089 Social institutions and power in Asia
  • ATS3138 Special reading unit 2
  • ATS3627 Global cultures, local traditions: Creating and consuming (popular) culture
  • ATS3652 Japan as empire: From Meiji to 1945
  • ATS3897 Borderless media in East Asia

Language study abroad units

For a list of units, please refer to the Japanese studies Study Abroad webpageJapanese studies Study Abroad webpage (http://artsonline.monash.edu.au/japanese/study-abroad/).

Relevant courses

Diplomas

  • 2201 Diploma in Languages

Bachelors

Single degrees

  • 0002 Bachelor of Arts
  • 1638 Bachelor of Arts Scholars Program
  • 0202 Bachelor of Letters

Double degrees

  • 4640 Bachelor of Aerospace Engineering (Honours) and Bachelor of Arts
  • 4098 Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Business
  • 0550 Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Business (Accounting)
  • 0553 Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Business (Banking and Finance)
  • 0556 Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Business (Marketing)
  • 0542 Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Commerce
  • 0170 Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Economics
  • 3054 Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Music
  • 0530 Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science
  • 3426 Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Social Work
  • 3779 Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Visual Arts
  • 4097 Bachelor of Arts Scholars Program and Bachelor of Commerce Scholars Program
  • D3002 Bachelor of Education (Honours) and Bachelor of Arts
  • 4634 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and Bachelor of Arts
  • 4644 Bachelor of Environmental Engineering (Honours) and Bachelor of Arts
  • L3003 Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and Bachelor of Arts