This course enables students with advanced Japanese-language skills to design and complete a research project on a topic about Japan. Students select a topic in consultation with the course convenor and through workshops, individual consultations, class discussions, written assignments and oral presentations progressively develop a focused research question, locate and evaluate relevant scholarship, identify suitable primary material, and construct an evidence-based academic argument. The course places particular emphasis on conducting research using Japanese-language sources. These may include academic publications, newspapers and magazines, government and institutional documents, surveys, advertisements, literary and historical texts, and digital media.
The particular topics examined will vary according to students’ interests and the availability of appropriate Japanese-language sources. Although the course develops advanced Japanese-language proficiency, it is best understood as a content- and research-based course rather than a conventional language course. Students use their Japanese skills to investigate substantive questions and to communicate their research to an academic audience. The course therefore provides preparation for further independent research in Japanese Studies and related disciplines.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- use libraries and online databases and tools to locate relevant Japanese language scholarship and primary materials
- formulate a focused and feasible research question and define its scope and significance
- critically evaluate relevant Japanese-language scholarship and primary materials using appropriate research strategies and disciplinary approaches
- present sustained oral academic arguments and engage in class discussions on a variety of Japan-related research topics as well as research strategies using Japanese materials
- communicate research questions, methods and findings through a major piece of academic writing
Other Information
Proficiency level
Students who successfully complete this course will typically achieve a level of proficiency roughly equivalent to JLPT N1-2 to N3-2, depending on their performance and degree of engagement.
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On successful completion of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to engage at an Advanced level of Japanese
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Students with native speaker proficiency (may include cognate languages and dialects) must review the language proficiency assessment site and contact the Convenor/Instructor for appropriate permission prior to enrolling. Students with previous “language experience or exposure” are required to consult with the Convenor/Instructor and take a language proficiency assessment to ensure enrolment at the most appropriate level. Native speakers are not permitted to take the course.
Previous “language experience or exposure” includes:
- Previous study of the language (both formal and informal, for example but not limited to, at school, or, home, or through online activities, etc.)
- Being exposed to the language in childhood via a family member or friend
- Travel or living in a country where the language is spoken
- The language being spoken in your home (even if you do not speak it yourself)
Students who are not sure if they need to take a proficiency assessment must seek advice from the course convenor/instructor. Students who intentionally misrepresent their language proficiency level may be investigated under the Academic Integrity Rule 2021 as having failed to comply with assessment directions and having sought unfair advantage. This may result in a penalty such as reduced grades or failure of the course.
Students are not permitted to enroll in a language course below one that they have already successfully completed, except with permission of the language and/or course convenor
Indicative Assessment
- Short Essay (750 words or 1500 Japanese characters) (20) [LO 1,2,3]
- Oral Presentation 1 (in English or Japanese) (10) [LO 3,4]
- Abstract and Annotated Bibliography (750 words or 1500 Japanese characters) (20) [LO 1,2,3]
- Oral Presentation 2 (in English or Japanese) (10) [LO 3,4]
- Research Paper (1250 words or 2500 Japanese characters) (40) [LO 1,2,3,5]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
This course requires a total of 130 hours of work on the following activities: three hours per week in class-activities, online activities and independent study.
Requisite and Incompatibility
You will need to contact the School of Culture History and Language to request a permission code to enrol in this course.
Prescribed Texts
To be confirmed based on the specific topic for that year.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 1
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2027 | $4620 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2027 | $6000 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
Second Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9360 | 26 Jul 2027 | 02 Aug 2027 | 31 Aug 2027 | 29 Oct 2027 | In Person | N/A |