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 major caters 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"

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 complex discussions in social and academic work situations in Japanese
  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.
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.

Courses

JPNSI 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
N/A
not available in 2025 – may be available in 2026 or 2027

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
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
Incompatibility
JAPN2205 Japanese Advanced I
S2 JAPN2406 Japanese 6
Prerequisites
JAPN2405 Japanese 5
or JAPN2205 Japanese Advanced I
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
S2 ASIA2001 Culture, Society and the State in Asia
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
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
Incompatibility
ASIA2204 Culture, Society and the State in Asia
N/A ASIA2002 Australia and Asia
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
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
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.
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 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 JAPN3407 Japanese 7
Prerequisites
JAPN2406 Japanese 6
or JAPN2206 Japanese Advanced II
Incompatibility
JAPN3307 Japanese Specialist I
S2 JAPN3408 Japanese 8
Prerequisites
JAPN3407 Japanese 7
or JAPN3307 Japanese Specialist I
Incompatibility
Successful completion of
JAPN2406 Japanese 6