Major Overview

Description

Studying Japanese language, culture and society means taking a significant step towards becoming Asia-literate—an important attribute for future global citizens, particularly in Australia. This Japanese Studies major caters for beginners. As well as learning how to speak, read and write Japanese, students examine Japanese history, society and popular culture. Knowledge of the Japanese language offers students access to a major world economic player with strong trade links with Western Australia. This major is taken by beginners. It is incompatible with a pass in WACE Japanese: Second Language JSL2A/2B or higher"

Students should be aware that this major does not provide a pathway to an Honours.

Outcomes

Students are able to:

  1. show competence in the Japanese language in the four skills of language acquisition—reading, writing, listening and speaking
  2. operate effectively in daily conversations or simple discussions in social and academic work situations in Japanese
  3. understand and engage with Japanese-language texts and Japan-relevant English language material—written, audio or visual—of an intellectual nature in particular areas of interest and expertise
  4. understand how culturally specific social structures affect interpersonal communication, and determine how to apply this knowledge to their own interactions in a culturally sensitive manner
  5. engage effectively in the key debates on Japanese history, society and culture in a professional manner and produce coherent and well-argued written work
  6. demonstrate competence in a set of transferable skills, including (but not limited to) digital literacy, information management, group working, research skills and critical thinking, as well as an ability to manage and take responsibility for their own learning processes with minimum guidance.
Broadening guidelines

All students studying towards a Bachelor's Degree at UWA are required to Broaden their studies by completing a minimum of four units (24 points) of study outside their degree specific major. Broadening is your opportunity to explore other areas of interest, investigate new disciplines and knowledge paradigms and to shape your degree to suit your own aspirations and interests. Many of you will be able to undertake more than this minimum amount of broadening study and we encourage you to do so if this suits your aspirations. Over the next few months you will find here some broadening suggestions related to your degree-specific major. While we know that many students value guidance of this sort, these are only suggestions and students should not lose sight of the opportunity to explore that is afforded by your Broadening Choices. Advice can also be sought from your Allocated Student Advising Office.

Courses

JPNSB Japanese Studies can be taken as a degree-specific major in the following degree courses:

Example Study Plan

See study plans for more information.

Units

Key to availability of units:
S1
Semester 1
S2
Semester 2

Level 1

Degree-specific major units

Take all units (12 points):

Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S1 JAPN1401 Japanese 1
Incompatibility
ATAR Japanese Year 11 or higher.
JAPN1101 Japanese Beginners I
S2 JAPN1402 Japanese 2
Prerequisites
JAPN1401 Japanese 1
or JAPN1101 Japanese Beginners I
Incompatibility
JAPN1102 Japanese Beginners II

Level 2

Degree-specific major units

Take all units (18 points):

Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S1 JAPN2001 Japanese 3A
Prerequisites
JAPN1402 Japanese 2
or JAPN1102 Japanese Beginners II
Incompatibility
JAPN2201 Japanese Intermediate Bridging
S1 JAPN2403 Japanese 3
Prerequisites
JAPN1402 Japanese 2
or JAPN1102 Japanese Beginners II
Co-requisites
JAPN2001 Japanese 3A
Incompatibility
JAPN2203 Japanese Intermediate I
S2 JAPN2404 Japanese 4
Prerequisites
JAPN2403 Japanese 3
or (JAPN1403 Japanese 3
and JAPN1001 Japanese 3A)
or JAPN2203 Japanese Intermediate I
Incompatibility
JAPN2204 Japanese Intermediate II

Level 3

Degree-specific major units

Take all units (18 points):

Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S2 ASIA3002 Issues in Japanese Society and Culture
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
any one level 2 Unit(s) from the School of Social Sciences
or Humanities
Incompatibility
ASIA2218 Japan: Social and Cultural Tensions.
ASIA2214 Japan in Changing Asia.
ASIA2217 Shifting Identities in Japan
S1 JAPN3405 Japanese 5
Prerequisites
JAPN2404 Japanese 4
or JAPN2204 Japanese intermediate II
Incompatibility
JAPN3305 Japanese Advanced I
S2 JAPN3406 Japanese 6
Prerequisites
JAPN3405 Japanese 5
or JAPN3305 Japanese Advanced I
Incompatibility
JAPN3306 Japanese Advanced II