Head: Professor Ross Mouer
Graduate coordinator: Yoko Pinkerton
The Department of Japanese Studies offers a variety of graduate and postgraduate programs leading to the Graduate Diploma of Arts, MA and PhD in Japanese studies and in applied Japanese linguistics, to the postgraduate diploma and MA in Japanese interpreting and translation, and to the Graduate Diploma in Japanese Language.
There is a strong Japanese component in the Graduate Diploma of Arts and MA(Asian Studies) which is offered by the Monash Asia Institute. Japanese language and studies subjects may also be taken as part of the Graduate Diploma of Arts (Tourism) (which is offered by the National Centre for Australian Studies) and the Master of Business Administration which is offered by Monash Mt. Eliza Business School.
Study of the Japanese language can commence both at the beginners and intermediate levels (known as Japanese A, B and C) and at the more advanced levels (known as Japanese D and E). Beginners language courses may be also available in an off-campus mode subject to satisfactory enrolments.
The department's twenty-three full-time members of staff are engaged in research in a wide range of areas. The main fields of special interest covered by the department are listed below.
Japanese linguistics and applied linguistics Sanae Enomoto, Hiroko Hashimoto, Yukiko Hatasa, Mariko Muraki, Yuka Nakayama, Kyoko Ogawa, Mariko Okabe, Helen Marriott, Gary Peters, Hiroko Rowe, Robyn Spence-Brown, Hiroshi Tajika, Takako Tomoda, Jun Yano, Noriko Yoshida and Kuniko Yoshimitsu
Computer-assisted language learning Mariko Okabe and Gary Peters
Japanese and sociolinguistics and applied linguistics Helen Marriott
Japanese interpreting and translation David Askew, Yoko Pinkerton and Ross Mouer
Japanese society, work organisation, industrial relations Ross Mouer and Wendy Smith
Japanese political economy, international relations, business-government relations David Askew, Ross Mouer and Wendy Smith
Japanese law and intellectual history David Askew
Japanese culture and performing arts Alison Tokita
Gender studies Ross Mouer, Yuka Nakayama, Wendy Smith and Alison Tokita
Japanese religion Wendy Smith
Course code: 0020
Course fee: local students HECS; international students $12,000 pa
The degree of PhD in the Department of Japanese Studies is normally completed by research only. Students are required to possess an approved MA or Masters Qualifying with a research component and a high level of competency in the Japanese language. Applicants who do not satisfy this requirement may be accepted initially into MA research candidature and may, with the approval of the faculty's Committee for Graduate Studies, transfer to PhD candidature after a period of not less than one year.
Course code: 0017
Course fee: local students HECS; international students $12,000 pa
Only those students who have demonstrated that they are satisfactorily prepared for research may proceed to do this course. Intending students are required to apply to the graduate coordinator for Japanese Studies (Dr Alison Tokita) and must receive approval from the department's Postgraduate Program Committee and the faculty Committee for Graduate Studies before being enrolled for the research MA.
Students enrolled in the Master of Arts in Japanese studies are expected to develop research skills through the completion of a major research project as well as acquiring advanced knowledge of Japanese society, culture, work practices or the economy, or Australia-Japan relations.
Completion of the Masters Qualifying with a research component in Japanese studies with grades of distinction or above, or an honours degree with a grade of HIIA or above.
The MA in Japanese studies by research only (100 per cent thesis) is taken over a period of two years full-time or four years part-time or minimum one year full-time and requires that a thesis of 40,000 to 60,000 words be submitted and accepted.
The MA by research can also be taken as a combination of coursework and research, which requires each student to submit a thesis of 25,000 to 35,000 words (66 per cent thesis) plus complete two eight-point subjects or a thesis of 35,000 to 40,000 words (75 per cent thesis) and the completion of one twelve-point fifth-year level subject.
* Offered subject to approval.
Program code: 1988Program fee: Local students HECS; international students $12,000 pa
By undertaking one or more research projects in combination with coursework in Japanese language and/or Japanese studies subjects, students are expected to be prepared for the major research project of the MA in Japanese studies. They are expected to acquire the up-to-date knowledge and skills required for understanding and conducting research on contemporary Japan.
A bachelors degree with a major in Japanese language or its equivalent, with average grades of credit or above at third-year level.
This is a one-year program (or the equivalent part-time) consisting of forty-eight points. It should contain between twelve and twenty-four points of research, either in the form of one or two research papers of twelve points each or the twenty-four-point dissertation in Japanese studies. The remaining points may be taken as (no more than twelve 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, and after obtaining approval from the Japanese studies coordinator. These subjects will be of fourth-year level. Up to twelve points may be taken in relevant disciplines outside the department with the approval of the postgraduate 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 course.
Course code: 0009
Course fee: Local students HECS; international students $12,000 pa
Students enrolled in the Graduate Diploma of Arts in Japanese studies should acquire an accurate and up-to-date understanding of Japan with a special emphasis on Australia-Japan relations.
A bachelors degree or its equivalent.
Students who have not completed a major in the Japanese language will normally include a minimum of twelve points from language subjects (with subject codes prefix `JLG'). The remaining thirty-six points are taken from subjects relevant to understanding contemporary Japan. These are normally the subjects which have prefixes `JST', `JAL', or `JBC', but may include other subjects offered in the department or elsewhere in the university.
Course code: 0017
Course fee: Local students HECS; international students $12,000 pa
During this course students develop their research skills by undertaking a major piece of research independently. Students should also develop knowledge of theoretical and empirical issues through study of further coursework subjects.
Completion of the Masters Qualifying with a research component with an average grade of distinction or above (HIIA), or an honours degree (or the equivalent in a relevant field) with a grade of HIIA or above and at least a minor in linguistics or Japanese studies subjects with a linguistic focus, or equivalent.
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) and where they have also demonstrated their ability to undertake independent research. As a part of the graduate diploma they must have taken as a part of the graduate diploma JST4680 (Research paper A in Japanese studies), and as a pre-requisite for this, JAL4610 (Research seminar in applied Japanese linguistics).
This course can be completed in one year full-time Students select to write a thesis which is worth 66 per cent (25,000 to 35,000 words) or 75 per cent (35,000 to 40,000 words) or 100 per cent (40,000 to 60,000 words) of the course. Where the thesis is 75 per cent, students should also enrol in one twelve-point fifth-year level subject, and in the case of a 66 per cent thesis, two eight-point fifth-year level subjects.
Course code: 0017
Course fee: Local students HECS; international students $12,000 pa
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.
Completion of the Masters Qualifying by coursework or 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 HIIB or above.
This is a one year program of coursework only. Students usually complete four subjects, to the value of forty-eight points and generally these will be selected from the fifth-year level JAL code subjects in the department. Approval may be given to take tweleve points outside the department. Non-native speakers of Japanese may take up to twelve points of postgraduate Japanese language subjects.
Where students can demonstrate a high capability of 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 pre-requisite, they will need to have taken JAL4610 (Research seminar in applied Japanese linguistics).
* Offered subject to approval.
Course code: 1988Course fee: local students HECS; international students $12,000 pa
This course 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 course aims to extend students' knowledge about the Japanese language and its use, and/or about language teaching and acquisition through research.
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.
This is a one-year course which includes coursework subjects as well as a research component. Normally students will take four twelve-point subjects. JAL4610 (Research seminar in applied Japanese linguistics) and JST4680 (Research paper A in Japanese studies) are compulsory. Students may select other relevant coursework subjects to the value of twenty-four points. Non-native speakers of Japanese may take up to twenty-four points of postgraduate Japanese language subjects.
* Offered subject to approval.
Course code: 1987Course fee: Local students HECS; international students $12,000 pa
This course is designed for practising or prospective teachers or others who are interested in Japanese language and related topics like intercultural communication. The course aims to extend students' knowledge about the Japanese language and its use, and about language teaching and acquisition.
A bachelors degree or its equivalent with a minimum of level C proficiency in Japanese if taken at Monash (ie completion of the most basic undergraduate major) and at least a minor at the undergraduate level in linguistics or Japanese studies subjects with a linguistic focus, or equivalent. Grades of credit average in the third part of the undergraduate degree.
This is a one-year program consisting of coursework only. The content is the same as for the Graduate Diploma of Arts (Applied Japanese Linguistics). Non-native speakers of Japanese may take up to twenty-four points of postgraduate Japanese language subjects.
Course code: 0108
Course fee: Local students HECS; international students $12,000 pa
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.
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.
Students complete coursework subjects to the value of forty-eight points, usually four subjects worth twelve points each. There are no compulsory subjects, but students normally take subjects offered by the department in the area of applied Japanese linguistics (prefixed by JAL). It is also possible to include an approved subject taken outside the department up to the value of twelve points, or (for non-native speakers of Japanese) up to twelve points of postgraduate Japanese language subjects.
Course code: 0017
Course fee: Local students HECS; international students $12,000 pa
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 interpreting and translation. The course does not automatically lead to NAATI qualifications. Native Japanese speakers are allowed to enrol in this course.
Graduates with this degree should be able to operate as interpreters and translators at a high level of generalist professional competence. Graduates should also have knowledge and understanding of professional aspects of interpreting and translation. Further, graduates should have a good knowledge of theoretical concerns relevant to studies of interpreting and translation.
Completion of a postgraduate diploma or Masters Qualifying in Japanese interpreting and translation with an average grade of distinction or above. Honours degree with a grade of HIIA or above with strong language results. 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.
This degree is available by one year of coursework only. The course of study leading to the MA in Japanese interpreting and translation is a tightly structured program. All students must take the following three subjects:
Course code: To be advised
Course fee: Local students HECS; international students $12,000 pa
This is a one-year program consisting of coursework only. It is identical to the Postgraduate Diploma of Arts (Japanese Interpreting and Translation) and consolidates the foundation necessary to do the MA in Japanese interpreting and translation. For objectives, entry requirements, course structure and other details see entries for the Postgraduate Diploma of Arts (Japanese Interpreting and Translation) below.
* Offered subject to approval.
Course code: To be advisedCourse fee: local students HECS; international students $12,000 pa
This program is designed for highly motivated graduates who have completed fourth-year undergraduate Japanese and 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. Native Japanese speakers are allowed to enrol in this course.
Graduates with this award should have working skills of interpreting and translating. Graduates should be able to participate in the performance of most routine tasks of providing interpreting and translating services within the environment of firms and organisations relevant to Japan and Australia.
BA with Japanese language proficiency equivalent to that achieved in Level D Japanese at Monash with grades of credit average or above.
This award program is available by coursework only. In addition to six core subjects totalling thirty-six points, students are required to take elective subjects up to twelve points. The six core subjects are JIT4811 (Theory and practice of translation A), JIT4200 (Theory and practice of translation B), JIT4100 (Interpreting A), JIT4266 (Interpreting B), JBC4611 (Introduction to Japanese business communication) and JBC4832 (Translation of Japanese business documents).
Course code: 1489
Course fee: HECS
The Graduate Diploma of Arts (Japanese language) is designed to allow graduates from other areas to acquire basic competence in the Japanese language.
The graduate diploma is open to graduates of any undergraduate course who wish to study Japanese. No prior knowledge of Japanese is required, but students who have previously completed some study of Japanese may start the course at a higher level, and will therefore graduate with a higher level of competence than those in the beginners stream.
The course is suitable for complete beginners, or for students who have some background in Japanese but who wish to extend their competence. Study may be commenced at three levels and, depending on entry level, students will achieve a minimum level of competence equivalent to a basic major in Japanese (level C). They will also be able to take one elective subject in Japanese studies.
Although the course consists of forty-eight points, which is equivalent to one year of full-time study, most students will take the course part-time over three years (or two years in the case of advanced students), in order to complete three levels of language.
All subjects are offered subject to the availability of staff and sufficient enrolments.
* Subject to approval.
Subject to the approval of the department's Postgraduate 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 department currently maintains university to university agreements with about ten Japanese universities. Opportunities exist for scholarships, and interested students should inquire with the convener of the department's scholarship committee. Faculty approval must be obtained before students can proceed to an overseas study program.
Seminars in Japanese studies are held regularly. Postgraduate students in the department are strongly encouraged to attend seminars within their own and related disciplines.
The Japanese collection of the Monash University library provides adequate coverage for the areas of research in which the department has taken a special interest. In addition, students have access to the Japanese collection at the Baillieu Library (University of Melbourne), and, through inter-library loans, to the collections of the Australian National University and the National Library in Canberra.
The Japanese Studies Centre has been created to stimulate and further develop Japanese studies in Victoria. Some of the members of the centre are internationally accepted as leaders in their academic disciplines. The location of the centre on the Clayton campus of Monash University provides a favourable environment for postgraduate students in the department. Students can attend seminars, and may be able to participate in some of the research projects of the centre. Consultations and joint supervision can be arranged with the members of the centre as necessary. The centre offers a summer school in Japanese studies, at which additional courses are available, and publishes three series of publications.
Postgraduate students who are enrolled in the MA or PhD program are eligible to become ordinary members of the centre. Office space may be available in the centre for postgraduate students who are members.