JAPANESE (Japanese)
Stage I
JAPANESE 130G - Japanese Language 1A (15 pts)🏳
An integrated basic course in modern Japanese covering reading, writing, speaking and listening.
JAPANESE 131 - Japanese Language 1B (15 pts)🏳
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.
JAPANESE 150 - Exploring Japan (15 pts)🏳
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.
JAPANESE 178 - Japanese Study Abroad 1 (15 pts)🏳
Formal language study in an approved overseas institution where instruction is in Japanese. May not be taken if a more advanced language acquisition course in this subject has previously been passed.
Stage II
JAPANESE 222 - Structural Analysis of the Japanese Language (15 pts)🏳
Structural analysis of the pronunciation, grammar, script and usage of the modern Japanese language.
JAPANESE 231 - Japanese Language 2A (15 pts)🏳
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.
JAPANESE 232 - Japanese Language 2B (15 pts)🏳
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.
JAPANESE 240 - Villains and Heroes in Japanese Literature (15 pts)🏳
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 and Education 794 within such contexts as history, gender, ethnicity, religion, the environment, and power issues.
JAPANESE 241 - Japanese Popular Culture since 1945 (15 pts)🏳
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.
JAPANESE 243 - Geisha and Samurai: Edo Literature (15 pts)🏳
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.
JAPANESE 270 - Japanese Culture and Traditions (15 pts)🏳
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.
JAPANESE 277 - Japanese Study Abroad 2A (15 pts)🏳
Refer to the entry for Language Study Abroad.
JAPANESE 278 - Japanese Study Abroad 2B (15 pts)🏳
Refer to the entry for Language Study Abroad.
JAPANESE 292 - Special Topic: Religion in Modern Japanese Society (15 pts)🏳
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.
Stage III
JAPANESE 300 - Special Topic (15 pts)🏳
JAPANESE 307 - Classical Language and Culture (15 pts)🏳
Introduction to the classical Japanese language and culture. Involves extensive readings of selected works from the classics in the original language.
JAPANESE 308 - Religion in Modern Japanese Society (15 pts)🏳
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
JAPANESE 324 - Topics in Japanese Linguistics (15 pts)🏳
A study of selected areas of Japanese language structure and usage.
JAPANESE 331 - Japanese Language 3A (15 pts)🏳
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.
JAPANESE 332 - Japanese Language 3B (15 pts)🏳
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.
JAPANESE 340 - Villains and Heroes in Japanese Literature (15 pts)🏳
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.
JAPANESE 341 - Japanese Popular Culture since 1945 (15 pts)🏳
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.
JAPANESE 343 - Geisha and Samurai Edo Literature (15 pts)🏳
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.
JAPANESE 370 - Japanese Culture and Traditions (15 pts)🏳
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.
JAPANESE 377 - Japanese Study Abroad 3A (15 pts)🏳
Refer to the entry for Language Study Abroad.
JAPANESE 378 - Japanese Study Abroad 3B (15 pts)🏳
Refer to the entry for Language Study Abroad.
JAPANESE 392 - Special Topic (15 pts)🏳
Postgraduate 700 Level Courses
JAPANESE 702 - Topics in Japanese Culture and Society (30 pts)🏳
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.
JAPANESE 703 - Topics in Japanese Language and Linguistics (30 pts)🏳
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.
JAPANESE 706 - Advanced Japanese Language Acquisition 1 (15 pts)🏳
Uses authentic materials on a variety of topics to enhance language skills in support of postgraduate studies.
JAPANESE 707 - Advanced Japanese Language Acquisition 2 (30 pts)🏳
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.