2017 Undergraduate Courses
  • Students are to follow the requirements of the Handbook for the year they commenced the course.

    However, the subject links below do not contain the subject information for the current year. You can view current subject information through the new Course Handbook.

Japanese Major | 2017

This information is for students commencing their course in 2017. Students follow the rules and requirements for the year they commenced their course. Please refer to the Archives link in the menu for years prior to 2017.

The study of Japanese focuses on developing the linguistic skills necessary to understand Japanese ways of life, and how the past affects the present. It also aims to facilitate intercultural understanding and competence for the increasingly globalised world and workplace.

Students may begin their Japanese language studies at the Beginner or Intermediate levels depending on their language proficiency.

Major Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this major students will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate a broad and coherent understanding of the Japanese language and grammar;
  2. Comprehend spoken and written Japanese to at least B1 Level in the Japan Foundation's (JF) Japanese Language Educational Standard;
  3. Communicate in both spoken and written Japanese to at least B1 Level in the JF’s Japanese Language Educational Standard;
  4. Critically analyse and evaluate historical events and socio-cultural forces that have shaped modern Japan, its people and language.

Subjects Required for Major Study 

Beginner Entry

Students with no previous study of Japanese and those who took Japanese Beginners at NSW HSC level (or equivalent in other states) commence their studies at the Beginner level (JAPA141) in Autumn semester. The Beginner stream assumes no prior knowledge of the language. For students commencing studies at the Beginner level, the major in Japanese consists of at least 54 credit points.

Native speakers or students who have completed their compulsory education in a country where the language is spoken are ineligible to undertake Beginner 1 or Beginner 2 subjects in French, Italian, Japanese or Spanish and should begin their language studies at the Intermediate (or higher levels).

Native speakers are encouraged to contact the Discipline Leader of Languages and Linguistics before enrolling.

Subject Code Subject Name Credit Points Session(s)
Core Beginner Entry
JAPA141 Beginner Japanese 1 6 Autumn
JAPA142 Beginner Japanese 2 6 Spring
JAPA241 Intermediate Japanese 1 6 Autumn
JAPA242 Intermediate Japanese 2 6 Spring
JAPA220 The Making of a Globalised Japan 6 Autumn
JAPA320 Advanced Readings in Japanese 6 Not offered in this year
LANG370 The Language Advantage 6 Not offered in this year
Plus ONE from the following:
JAPA341 Advanced Japanese 1 6 Not offered in this year
JAPA343 Advanced Japanese 3 6 Not offered in this year
Plus ONE from the following:
JAPA342 Advanced Japanese 2 6 Not offered in this year
JAPA344 Advanced Japanese 4 6 Not offered in this year

Intermediate Entry

Students who took Japanese Continuers or Extension at the HSC level enter at the Intermediate level JAPA241 in Autumn 2017 semester. All students who wish to enter directly into Intermediate level must consult with the appropriate Subject Co-ordinator. Some students will need to take a placement test. For students commencing studies at the Intermediate level in 2017, the major in Japanese consists of at least 54 credit points.

Subject Code Subject Name Credit Points Session(s)
Core Intermediate Entry
JAPA241 Intermediate Japanese 1 6 Autumn
JAPA242 Intermediate Japanese 2 6 Spring
JAPA220 The Making of a Globalised Japan 6 Autumn
JAPA320 Advanced Readings in Japanese 6 Not offered in this year
JAPA341 Advanced Japanese 1 6 Not offered in this year
JAPA342 Advanced Japanese 2 6 Not offered in this year
JAPA343 Advanced Japanese 3 6 Not offered in this year
JAPA344 Advanced Japanese 4 6 Not offered in this year
LHA 301 Capstone 6 Not offered in this year
Plus students may complete the following if they obtain permission from the Japanese Program:
JAPA201 Short Term In Country Japanese Session 6 Not offered in this year
JAPA217 In Country Language Study 6 Not offered in this year
LANG364 Advanced Studies in Language/Culture 1 6 Not offered in this year
LANG365 Advanced Studies in Language/Culture 2 6 Not offered in this year
LANG380 Language Study Abroad 2 6 Not offered in this year
LANG390 Language Study Abroad 3 6 Not offered in this year

Electives:

Japanese language studies are available as an elective for all non-native Japanese background students. Students with no prior Japanese language studies who wish to take Japanese as an elective may take: 

  • JAPA141 Beginner Japanese 1 in Autumn session: or
  • JAPA101 An Introduction to Japanese in Summer session (when on offer); 
  • JAPA102 Japanese Studies for Educational Purposes in Spring (when on offer); or
  • JAPA103 Japanese Studies for Business Purposes in Spring (when on offer).

JAPA101, JAPA102 and JAPA103 are for students who are interested in basic Japanese for either teaching or business purposes respectively. They are not pre requisites for any subject in the Japanese minor or major and nor can they be counted towards a minor or major in Japanese. Only ONE of these subjects (that is, JAPA101, JAPA102 or JAPA103) can be credited to a degree. Students who wish to continue their Japanese language studies will need to take JAPA141 in Autumn semester even if they have completed JAPA101, JAPA102 or JAPA103.

JAPA220 (The Making of a Globalised Japan) is available as an elective subject for students from other disciplines who wish to familiarise themselves with Japanese civilisation and society.

Study Abroad

Study Abroad opportunities are available to students wishing to pursue language or Japan-related studies in Japan. Scholarships, awarded on academic performance, are available.

Suitably qualified graduates with a major in Japanese wishing to pursue further language studies at a Japanese university may apply for the Graduate Diploma in Arts (Japanese).

Minor Study

A 24 credit point minor in Japanese consisting of four sequential language subjects is available. 

Diploma in Languages

Students who wish to undertake a Diploma concurrently with their Bachelors Degree course should refer to the Diploma in Languages for further information.

Honours

Honours in Japanese is available to high-achieving students with a major in Japanese, and may be incorporated into or alongside a program of study in Japan.

See Bachelor of Arts (Honours).

Credit Arrangements

Credit and articulation arrangements are available from the Course Finder. Refer to UOW's credit arrangements for information on how to apply for credit.

Other Information

Further information is available at:
UOW Course Finder
Email: lha-enquiries@uow.edu.au

Last reviewed: 18 December, 2017