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 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 an understanding of Japan and its broader Asian context, as well as 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.
Japanese language study caters for students from introductory to advanced levels with a flexible structure that allows entry at several levels, and ensures sequential study suitable to a student's background. To ensure that students are placed in the most appropriate level according to their individual profile and the best outcome they can expect to achieve, all students, except beginners, are required to undertake placement testing prior to the start of their first semester of language study. Placement tests and information about the linguistic content and level of units are available through the Japanese studies website.
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.
Overseas study
The Japanese program has exchange agreements with over 10 Japanese institutions which provide opportunities to incorporate study in Japan into the major. 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 areas of study. A range of scholarships are available from the university and from the Japanese government. For further information visit the Japanese Study Abroad website or contact the exchange program coordinator within the Japanese studies program.
Availability
Japanese studies is listed in A2000 Bachelor of Arts at Caulfield and Clayton as a major or minor, A2001 Bachelor of Global Studies at Clayton as a major and A0501 Diploma of Languages at Clayton as a major.
Outcomes
In addition to achieving the broad outcomes of their course, students successfully completing this major will:
- have Japanese literacy and communication skills and metalinguistic knowledge commensurate with the appropriate Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) level for your stream (B1.1 for Japanese Introductory stream, B1.2 for Japanese Intermediate stream, and B2.1+ for Proficient and Advanced streams)
- be aware of sociolinguistic and sociocultural aspects of communication and the ability to communicate appropriately and effectively cross-culturally and in cross-language contexts including sensitivity to cultural and social values and respect for diversity (gender roles, personal identity, national identity, age hierarchies etc.)
- understand a range of aspects of Japanese culture and society including key concepts and theoretical frameworks and the ability to express ideas about Japanese developments in a global context
- be able to complete and present research projects in both Japanese and English, including the use of digital tools and resources.
Major requirements (48 points)
No more than 12 points at level 1 may be credited to the majormajor (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2017handbooks/undergrad/arts-07.html) and at least 18 points must be at level 3.
Note: Approved language study overseas units can replace language units or electives. Students can take additional capstone units as electives.
Entry point 1 - Introductory
For students with little or no knowledge of Japanese.
Students complete:
- Two level 1 gateway unitsgateway units (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2017handbooks/undergrad/arts-08.html) (12 points):
- One level 2 cornerstone unitcornerstone unit (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2017handbooks/undergrad/arts-08.html) (6 points) chosen from:
- ATS2648 Contemporary Japan
- ATS2653 Studies in Japanese interaction and language use
- One level 3 capstone unitcapstone unit (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2017handbooks/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
- Four language units (24 points):
Entry point 2 - Intermediate
For students who have post-VCE competence in Japanese or equivalent.
Students complete:
- One level 2 cornerstone unitcornerstone unit (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2017handbooks/undergrad/arts-08.html) (6 points) chosen from:
- ATS2648 Contemporary Japan
- ATS2653 Studies in Japanese interaction and language use
- One level 3 capstone unitcapstone unit (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2017handbooks/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
- Six language units (36 points):
Entry point 3 - Proficient
For students with very high post-VCE competence in Japanese or equivalent.
Students complete:
- One level 2 cornerstone unitcornerstone unit (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2017handbooks/undergrad/arts-08.html) (6 points) chosen from:
- ATS2648 Contemporary Japan
- ATS2653 Studies in Japanese interaction and language use
- One level 3 capstone unitcapstone unit (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2017handbooks/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
- Two level 3 units (12 points) chosen from:
- ATS3083 Translating across cultures* (If not used as a capstone)
- ATS3151 Japanese studies advanced: Current issues
- ATS3152 Japanese studies advanced: Literature and film
- ATS3978 Japanese communication in professional settings
- Four language units (24 points):
Entry point 4 - Advanced
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 studies and/or a minor in Japanese studies consisting of post-advanced units.
Students complete:
- One level 2 cornerstone unitcornerstone unit (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2017handbooks/undergrad/arts-08.html) (6 points) chosen from:
- ATS2648 Contemporary Japan
- ATS2653 Studies in Japanese interaction and language use
- One level 3 capstone unitcapstone unit (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2017handbooks/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
- 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 film
- ATS3978 Japanese communication in professional settings
- One unit (6 points) chosen from the remaining capstone units or the elective list below.
Minor requirements (24 points)
No more than 12 points at level 1 may be credited towards the minorminor (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2017handbooks/undergrad/arts-07.html).
Students complete:
- Three units (18 points) from the Japanese language sequence, following the entry point guidelines and taken in order.
- One level 2 or 3 unit (6 points) from the capstone or additional language sequence units or the elective list.
Extended major requirements (72 points)
No more than 24 points at level 1 may be credited to the extended major and at least 24 points must be at level 3.
Students are required to undertake a period of overseas study in order to complete an extended major.
Students complete:
- The requirements of the major in Japanese studies (48 points)
- Any combination of the following to a total of 24 points:
- ATS3083 Translating across cultures
- ATS3139 Extended major research unit
- ATS3948 Internship (undergraduate)
- study overseas units
Elective list
Units are 6 points unless otherwise stated.
- ATS2382 War and memory in the Asia Pacific: Legacies of World War II
- ATS2620 The age of the Samurai
- ATS2648 Contemporary Japan
- ATS2653 Studies in Japanese interaction and language use
- ATS2941 Asia's underside: Violence, crime and protest
- ATS3064 Cultural intelligence: Building competencies for global leadership
- ATS3089 Social institutions and power in Asia
- ATS3627 Global cultures, media flows: Creating and consuming (popular) culture
- ATS3652 Japan as empire: From Meiji to 1945
Intending honours students
Students intending to enter honours in this area of study must have completed a major in the discipline, with a minimum of 24 points of study at level 3 to be eligible.
Diplomas
- A0501 Diploma of Languages
Bachelors
Single degrees
Successful completion of the minor or major can be counted towards meeting the requirements for the following single degrees:*
- A2000 Bachelor of Arts
- A2001 Bachelor of Global Studies
Students in other single bachelor's degrees may be eligible to complete the minor or major by using 24 or 48 points of their free electives.
Double degrees
Successful completion of the minor or major can be counted towards meeting the requirements for the Bachelor of Arts component in the following double degrees:*
- A2005 Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Fine Art
- A2004 Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Music
- B2019 Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Arts
- B2012 Bachelor of Business Specialist and Bachelor of Arts
- B2020 Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Arts
- B2006 Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Global Studies
- B2024 Bachelor of Commerce Specialist and Bachelor of Arts
- D3002 Bachelor of Education (Honours) and Bachelor of Arts
- E3002 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and Bachelor of Arts
- C2002 Bachelor of Information Technology and Bachelor of Arts
- L3003 Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and Bachelor of Arts
- L3009 Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and Bachelor of Global Studies
- S2006 Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts
- S2003 Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Global Studies
