2019 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 | 2019  

Japan offers a rich culture of history, literature and arts, with its long history and a culture which features both traditional and ultra-modern elements. Japan also plays an important role on the Asia-Pacific political and economic stage, and is one of Australia’s major trading partners. The study of Japanese opens up a whole new world of linguistic and cultural experience that offers employment and research opportunities. It also provides access to the exciting culture of Japanese anime, manga and film. 

Entry Requirements & Credit Arrangements

Information on academic and English language requirements, as well as eligibility for credit for prior learning, is available from the UOW Course Finder

Major Learning Outcomes

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

CLO Description
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 

The Japanese program does not offer language subjects suitable for native Japanese language speakers.

Beginners Entry

The Beginner stream assumes no prior knowledge of the language, or Japanese Beginners NSW HSC level or equivalent study. For students commencing studies at the Beginner level, the major in Japanese consists of at least 54 credit points as outlined in the table below.

Intermediate Entry

Students who took Japanese Continuers or Extension at the HSC level may be eligible for a waiver of JAPA141 and JAPA142, meaning they will start the major at 200 level.

Students approved for intermediate entry will complete alternative subjects chosen from the table below, to complete at least 54 credit points.

To make this request, students can contact the Language and Linguistics Discipline Leader.

Beginners Entry Subject Schedule 

Subject Code Subject Name Credit Points
Core
JAPA141 Beginner Japanese 1 6
JAPA142 Beginner Japanese 2 6
JAPA241 Intermediate Japanese 1 6
JAPA242 Intermediate Japanese 2 6
JAPA220 The Making of a Globalised Japan 6
JAPA320 Advanced Readings in Japanese Literature 6
LANG370 The Language Advantage (Capstone) 6

Plus a minimum of ONE from the following:

Note - Intermediate Entry students commencing study at 200 level must take both subjects. 

JAPA341 Advanced Japanese 1 6
JAPA343 Advanced Japanese 3 6
Plus a minimum of ONE from the following:

Note - Intermediate Entry students commencing study at 200 level must take both subjects.

JAPA342 Advanced Japanese 2 6
JAPA344 Advanced Japanese 4 6

Japanese Elective Subjects:

Students may wish to broaden and deepen their knowledge of Japanese with these additional subjects. These additional subjects do not count towards the credit points of the major.

Students who are interested more generally in how language and communication work may wish to take ELL 110 (Language in Social Life) or ELL 230 (Communication across cultures).

Note that entry into Study Abroad and Exchange subjects requires formal approval..

ELL 110 Language as a Cultural Tool 6
ELL 230 Communication Across Cultures 6
JAPA101 An Introduction to Japanese 6
JAPA103 Japanese Studies for Business Purposes 6
LANG364 Advanced Studies in Language/Culture 1 6
LANG365 Advanced Studies in Language/Culture 2 6
LANG380 Language Study Abroad 2 6
LANG390 Language Study Abroad 3 6

Click on subject codes in the above course structure for information on sessions of offer for each subject. To find out specific information on timetables, tutorials, and classes, visit the Timetable page.

Minor Study

A 24 credit point minor in Japanese is available. Information is available on the 2019 LHA General Schedule of Minors page.

Students cannot complete both a major and a minor in Japanese.

Work Integrated Learning

Undertaking a work integrated learning experience during your university education is now a significant contributor to being competitive in securing employment in your field of choice when you graduate from UOW.

The Faculty of Law, Humanities and the Arts internship program provides students with an opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills acquired in their degree in a workplace setting.

Students are also encouraged to consider CRLP200 'Career Ready Learning and Practice' (6cp). CRLP200 includes a quality assured workplace internship or industry project to give you that competitive edge by developing your professional skills through authentic learning in a real world context. You will focus on your career goals and receive career direction guidance, strengthen your resume and gain skills to navigate the rapidly changing world of work, develop your communication skills and begin to build a professional network.

Diploma in Languages

Students may prefer to study a language as a Diploma in Languages, rather than as a major. This can be done as a standalone degree, or concurrently alongside another degree. Information is available on the Diploma in Languages page.

Honours

See Bachelor of Arts (Honours).

Other Information

For further information email: lha-enquiries@uow.edu.au

Last reviewed: 9 July, 2020