JPNSI Japanese Studies major (MJD-JPNSI)

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. The Japanese Studies major caters for beginners and for students who have studied Japanese to high school level or equivalent. 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.

Admission to this major requires a pass in ATAR Japanese Year 12

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 complex discussions in social and academic work situations; (3) understand and engage withJapanese-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; and (7) apply their country-specific knowledge in the context of their second major (if applicable).

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.

Prerequisites

Admission to this major requires a pass in WACE Japanese: Second Language JSL3A/3B.

Incompatibilities

Not available to native speakers and/or persons who have been educated above primary level in Japan.

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

Overview of unit sequence

JPNSI Japanese Studies is a degree-specific single major comprising:

  • two Level 1 units
  • three Level 2 units
  • three Level 3 units
Key to availability of units:
S1 = Semester 1; S2 = Semester 2; NS = non-standard teaching period

Level 1

Degree-specific major units
Take all units (12 points):
Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S1 JAPN1403 Japanese 3
Prerequisites:
ATAR Japanese Year 12
or
(ATAR Japanese: Year 11 and co-requisite JAPN1001 Japanese 3A)
or
approval of the unit coordinator
Co-requisites:
JAPN1001 Japanese 3A if student has only completed ATAR Japanese Year 11
Incompatibility:
JAPN1103 Japanese Intermediate I
or
JAPN2203 Japanese Intermediate I
S2 JAPN1404 Japanese 4
Prerequisites:
JAPN1403 Japanese 3
or
JAPN1103 Japanese Intermediate I
Co-requisites:
Nil.
Incompatibility:
JAPN1104 Japanese Intermediate II

Level 2

Degree-specific major units
Take all units (12 points):
Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S1 JAPN2405 Japanese 5
Prerequisites:
JAPN1404 Japanese 4
or
JAPN1104 Japanese Intermediate II
or
JAPN2404 Japanese 4
or
JAPN2204 Japanese Intermediate II
Co-requisites:
Nil.
Incompatibility:
JAPN2205 Japanese Advanced I
S2 JAPN2406 Japanese 6
Prerequisites:
JAPN2405 Japanese 5
or
JAPN2205 Japanese Advanced I
Co-requisites:
Nil.
Incompatibility:
JAPN2206 Japanese Advanced II
Degree-specific major units
Take unit(s) to the value of 6 points:
Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
NS ASIA2001 Culture, Society and the State in Asia
Prerequisites:
a Level 1 ASIA, JAPN, CHIN, KORE
or
INDO unit
Co-requisites:
Nil.
Incompatibility:
ASIA2204 Culture, Society and the State in Asia
S2 ASIA2002 Australia and Asia
Prerequisites:
a Level 1 ASIA, JAPN, CHIN,KORE
or
INDO unit
Co-requisites:
Nil.
Incompatibility:
ASIA2206 Understanding Asia–Australia Issues
S1 ASIA2004 Popular Culture in Asia
Prerequisites:
any Level 1
or
Level 2 ASIA, KORE, JAPN, CHIN, INDO, ENGL, HIST, PHIL, ARCY, COMM, LING, ANTH, LAW, VISA, MUSC, SOCS
or
POLS unit.
Co-requisites:
Nil.
Incompatibility:
SOCS2216 Popular Culture in Asia

Level 3

Degree-specific major units
Take all units (18 points):
Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S2, NS ASIA3002 Issues in Japanese Society and Culture
Prerequisites:
any Level 2 ASIA unit
or
two Level 2 JAPN units
Co-requisites:
Nil.
Incompatibility:
ASIA2218 Japan: Social and Cultural Tensions; ASIA2214 Japan in Changing Asia; ASIA2217 Shifting Identities in Japan
S1 JAPN3407 Japanese 7
Prerequisites:
JAPN2406 Japanese 6
or
JAPN2206 Japanese Advanced II
Co-requisites:
Nil.
Incompatibility:
JAPN3307 Japanese Specialist I
S2 JAPN3408 Japanese 8
Prerequisites:
JAPN3407 Japanese 7
or
JAPN3307 Japanese Specialist I
Co-requisites:
Nil.
Incompatibility:
JAPN3308 Japanese Specialist II

Choosing your degree-specific major

General degrees

You must satisfy the requirements of a degree-specific major before you complete your course. The flexible structure of an undergraduate course allows you to try out a number of different subjects to see what interests you before nominating your degree-specific major. You have the choice to either nominate your degree-specific major when you first enrol in the course or delay nominating it until your second year.

To plan the first year of your study without nominating a degree-specific major, you are advised to choose units that will pave the way to two or more degree-specific majors that are of interest to you. For examples of the choice of units available in first year, search the first-year study plans .

To fully understand the structure of an undergraduate course, read the course structure information and the Undergraduate Degree Course Rules.

The following example illustrates how the JPNSI Japanese Studies degree-specific major can be included in the Bachelor of Arts course.

Example Study Plan

There are more choices open to you. For more examples, search the study plans .

Specialised degrees – Bachelor of Advanced Computer Science (Honours), Bachelor of Automation and Robotics, Bachelor of Environmental Design, Bachelor of Music

You must satisfy the requirements of the degree-specific major in your degree before you complete your course.

Bachelor of Philosophy, Politics and Economics

This comprehensive degree does not require you to choose a degree-specific major.

Choosing a second major

You also have the option to choose a second major from those available in the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Biomedical Science, Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Design Only available to re-enrolling students. and Bachelor of Science courses, giving you the opportunity to pursue your interests no matter how different they are.

For more examples of combinations of majors, search the study plans .