Courses - Faculty of Arts
Japanese
Stage I
Japanese Language 1A
An integrated basic course in modern Japanese covering reading, writing, speaking and listening.
Restriction: May not be taken if a more advanced language acquisition course in this subject has previously been passed
Japanese Language 1B
Further develops the basic proficiency in modern Japanese necessary to communicate in limited situations. Uses a range of exercises and activities to develop speaking, listening, reading and writing skills as well as strategies to enhance and support these skills. Introduces some sociocultural aspects directly related to language-use situations. Note: Students with NCEA level 2 Japanese or equivalent should enrol in this course.
Prerequisite: JAPANESE 130 or approval of Academic Head or nominee
Restriction: May not be taken if a more advanced language acquisition course in this subject has previously been passed
Exploring Japan
Covers Japanese history, culture and society from the seventeenth century to the contemporary period, and serves as an introduction to Japan. Deals with such diverse topics as Japan under the Shoguns, Japan’s modernisation, the modern political system, Japan’s position in the world, popular culture, social structures and gender relations. No knowledge of the Japanese language is required.
Stage II
Structural Analysis of the Japanese Language
Structural analysis of the pronunciation, grammar, script and usage of the modern Japanese language.
Corequisite: JAPANESE 231 or 232
Japanese Language 2A
Further develops the basic proficiency in modern Japanese necessary to communicate in everyday situations. Uses a range of exercises and activities to develop communicative use of speaking, listening, reading and writing skills in a range of situations as well as strategies to enhance and support these skills. Note: Students with NCEA level 3 Japanese or equivalent should enrol in this course.
Prerequisite: JAPANESE 131 or approval of Academic Head or nominee
Restriction: JAPANESE 230, 239. May not be taken if a more advanced language acquisition course in this subject has previously been passed
Japanese Language 2B
A continuation of JAPANESE 231 covering more advanced grammar. By the end of the course, students will have acquired all essential grammar items and will be ready to explore more authentic materials in Stage III. Further develops communicative use of the language in speaking, listening, reading and writing in various situations and strategies to enhance and support these skills.
Prerequisite: JAPANESE 231 or approval of Academic Head or nominee
Restriction: JAPANESE 230, 239. May not be taken if a more advanced language acquisition course in this subject has previously been passed
Villains and Heroes in Japanese Literature
Critically examines important works related to Japan's literature and culture, from various genres and all periods including the present. Readings in English translation. Emphasis on production and reception of literary texts within such contexts as history, gender, ethnicity, religion, the environment, and power issues.
Prerequisite: 45 points in BA courses, including either JAPANESE 150 or ASIAN 100
Restriction: JAPANESE 340
Japanese Popular Culture since 1945
Examines post-1945 Japanese popular culture such as manga, anime, music and literature, from the perspective of how they have dealt with issues such as national/cultural identity, 'race', war memory, gender and globalisation. The historical and political context of each text and cultural practice is emphasised. No knowledge of Japanese language required.
Prerequisite: 45 points in BA courses
Restriction: JAPANESE 341
Geisha and Samurai: Edo Literature
Explores literary works and other writings and media from early modern (Edo/Tokugawa) Japan, focusing on the way these texts reflect aspects of Edo culture. Texts in English translation.
Prerequisite: 45 points in BA courses, including either JAPANESE 150 or ASIAN 100
Restriction: JAPANESE 343
Japanese Culture and Traditions
Examines important aspects of Japanese culture, society, and history. Focuses particularly on the creation and recreation of traditions, and the interaction between cultural and historical forces in shaping society. The course consists of four thematic parts, dealing with history, education, family, and health.
Prerequisite: 45 points in BA courses, including either JAPANESE 150 or ASIAN 100
Restriction: JAPANESE 370
Japanese Study Abroad 2A
Refer to the entry for Language Study Abroad.
Prerequisite: Approval of Academic Head or nominee
Japanese Study Abroad 2B
Refer to the entry for Language Study Abroad.
Prerequisite: JAPANESE 277 and approval of Academic Head or nominee
Special Topic: Religion in Modern Japanese Society
Aims to understand the role of religious beliefs, practices, and institutions in modern Japanese society. Topics to be covered include the “invention” of State Shinto and its role in nation-building, the decline of established temple Buddhism, the emergence and impact of new religious movements, and social conflict related to religion-state issues in the postwar period.
Prerequisite: JAPANESE 150 or ASIAN 100, and, a further 30 points from BA courses.
Restriction: JAPANESE 308
Stage III
Classical Language and Culture
Introduction to the classical Japanese language and culture. Involves extensive readings of selected works from the classics in the original language.
Prerequisite: 45 points at Stage II in Japanese
Corequisite: JAPANESE 331 or 332
Religion in Modern Japanese Society
The aim of this course is to understand the role of religious beliefs, practices, and institutions in modern Japanese society. Topics to be covered include the “invention” of State Shinto and its role in nation-building, the decline of established temple Buddhism, the emergence and impact of new religious movements, and social conflict related to religion-state issues in the postwar period. Prerequisite: ASIAN 100 and 30 points at Stage II in Asian Studies or 45 points in Stage II BA courses, including one of the following: ANTHRO 250, JAPANESE 240, 241, 243, 270, THEOLOGY 201 or THEOREL 201, SOCIOL 213 Restriction: ASIAN 708, JAPANESE 292
Topics in Japanese Linguistics
A study of selected areas of Japanese language structure and usage.
Prerequisite: 45 points at Stage II in Japanese including JAPANESE 222
Corequisite: JAPANESE 331 or 332
Restriction: JAPANESE 728
Japanese Language 3A
Further develops communicative use of the Japanese language in and beyond everyday situations. With greater focus on written Japanese, students will explore a variety of authentic materials including essays, folk tales, poems and visual texts that contain both traditional and contemporary cultural elements. Students are encouraged to study autonomously as well as collaboratively.
Prerequisite: JAPANESE 232
Restriction: JAPANESE 330, 338, 339. May not be taken if a more advanced language acquisition course in this subject has previously been passed
Japanese Language 3B
Further develops communicative use of Japanese language in speaking, listening, reading and writing beyond everyday situations. With greater focus on written Japanese, students will familiarise themselves with various styles of Japanese texts including newspaper articles, manga and short novels, through which their understanding of Japanese culture will deepen.
Prerequisite: JAPANESE 331
Restriction: JAPANESE 330, 338, 339. May not be taken if a more advanced language acquisition course in this subject has previously been passed
Villains and Heroes in Japanese Literature
Critically examines important works related to Japan's literature and culture, from various genres and all periods including the present. Readings in English translation. Emphasis on production and reception of literary texts within such contexts as history, gender, ethnicity, religion, the environment, and the deployment of power.
Prerequisite: JAPANESE 150 and 45 points at Stage II in Japanese including one of JAPANESE 241, 242, 270, HISTORY 242
Restriction: JAPANESE 240
Japanese Popular Culture since 1945
Examines post-1945 Japanese popular culture such as manga, anime, music and literature, from the perspective of how they have dealt with issues such as national/cultural identity, 'race', war memory, gender and globalisation. The historical and political context of each text and cultural practice is emphasised. No knowledge of Japanese language required.
Prerequisite: JAPANESE 150 and 45 points at Stage II in Japanese including one of JAPANESE 240, 243, 270 HISTORY 242, or 30 points at Stage II in Asian Studies
Restriction: JAPANESE 241
Geisha and Samurai Edo Literature
Explores, mainly in English translation, literary works and other writings/media from early modern (Edo/Tokugawa) Japan. The emphasis is on understanding aspects of the culture by direct reference to texts written by Japanese at that time.
Prerequisite: JAPANESE 150 and 45 points at Stage II in Japanese including JAPANESE 240, 241, or 270
Restriction: JAPANESE 243
Japanese Culture and Traditions
Examines important aspects of Japanese culture, society, and history. Focuses particularly on the creation and recreation of traditions, and the interaction between cultural and historical forces in shaping society. The course consists of four thematic parts, dealing with history, education, family, and health.
Prerequisite: JAPANESE 150 and either 45 points at Stage II including one of JAPANESE 240, 241, 243 and HISTORY 242 or 30 points at Stage II in Asian Studies
Restriction: JAPANESE 270
Japanese Study Abroad 3A
Refer to the entry for Language Study Abroad.
Prerequisite: Approval of Academic Head or nominee
Japanese Study Abroad 3B
Refer to the entry for Language Study Abroad.
Prerequisite: JAPANESE 377 and approval of Academic Head or nominee
Postgraduate 700 Level Courses
Topics in Japanese Culture and Society
In-depth study of selected topics on Japanese culture and society. Topics may include Japanese religion and society, popular culture, early modern history, Japan in East Asia and globalisation. This will be a team-taught course, and the content each year will be adapted according to student research interests. The course requires critical reading of core texts and regular student seminar presentations.
Topics in Japanese Language and Linguistics
In-depth study of selected topics on Japanese language and linguistics. Topics may include accentuation, morphophonology, transitivity, subjectivity, gender and language, politeness, and discourse strategies. The course focuses on student-led seminar presentations and discussions on assigned key works in the field.
Advanced Japanese Language Acquisition 1
Uses authentic materials on a variety of topics to enhance language skills in support of postgraduate studies.
Restriction: JAPANESE 707
Advanced Japanese Language Acquisition 2
Use materials on a variety of topics to enhance language skills in support of postgraduate studies. Readings relevant to the individual student’s research field will be assigned for critical analysis in Japanese.
Restriction: JAPANESE 706
Directed Study
To complete this course students must enrol in JAPANESE 745 A and B, or JAPANESE 745
Research Essay - Level 9
To complete this course students must enrol in JAPANESE 746 A and B
Directed Study
To complete this course students must enrol in JAPANESE 747 A and B, or JAPANESE 747
Research Project - Level 9
To complete this course students must enrol in JAPANESE 780 A and B, or JAPANESE 780
Research Essay - Level 9
To complete this course students must enrol in JAPANESE 782 A and B, or JAPANESE 782
Dissertation - Level 9
To complete this course students must enrol in JAPANESE 791 A and B, or JAPANESE 791
Dissertation - Level 9
To complete this course students must enrol in JAPANESE 792 A and B
Thesis - Level 9
Prerequisite: A BA(Hons) in Japanese with at least Second Class Honours, First Division, or equivalent
To complete this course students must enrol in JAPANESE 793 A and B
Thesis - Level 9
Prerequisite: A BA(Hons) in Japanese with at least Second Class Honours, First Division, or equivalent
To complete this course students must enrol in JAPANESE 796 A and B