Bachelor of Arts (Japanese)

The major in Japanese focuses on developing language skills that will be practical in real life situations, both spoken and written, and is designed with two streams of study entry dependent on a students’ language proficiency. Students may enter the major at beginner or intermediate level (including post-HSC level).  All students who wish to enter directly into intermediate level, must consult with the convenor of the major.  The major consists of language and civilization subjects, and subjects which require a short period of study in Japan. 

Major Study

The major in Japanese has two possible entry points, beginner or intermediate (including post-HSC). For beginners the major consists of 82 credit points, and for intermediate, 62.   Intermediate and Advanced stream students are required to successfully complete a placement test (if not post HSC).  A unique feature of this course is the possibility of a period of study in Japan for beginners and intermediate entry students.

Intermediate entry is recommended for students having completed either Continuers (2 unit) or Extension (3 unit) Japanese at a NSW high school.  The beginner stream assumes no prior knowledge of the language.  The Japanese major articulates with NSW TAFE Certificate 3 in Japanese.

A special feature on offer at Wollongong (for suitably qualified graduates), is one year of study at a Japanese University in JAPA551, for which some generous scholarships are available. The Modern Languages Program has had considerable success in obtaining funding and scholarships to assist with the costs of travel and residence in Japan.  However, funding is not guaranteed, and students may need to meet the costs associated with travel and accommodation for any periods of study in Japan.  Students wishing to study beginner’s Japanese but not as a major study, are encouraged to take JAPA141 in Session 1, or JAPA101 in Summer Session (if available).   JAPA102 and JAPA103 are also available for beginners who are interested in basic Japanese for either teaching or business respectively. JAPA101, 102, and 103 are all terminating subjects, and are not considered as prerequisites for any other subject in Japanese.   They are not mutually exclusive, so only 1 of the 3 can be awarded credit points.  JAPA110 is available to all students who wish to familiarise themselves with Japanese civilization and society, but who do not wish to pursue language studies.

Honours

See Bachelor of Arts (Honours)

Minor study in Languages other than English (LOTE): Japanese

Students may also take a minor consisting of any four sequential language subjects in Japanese (e.g. JAPA141, 2 and 3, and JAPA262). The minor will consist of 28 or 32 credit points of language study.  Students may not cross-count any subjects from the language minor in any other minor or major study.

Whilst the minor will not be stipulated on the students’ testamur at graduation, it will be recorded on the academic transcript.

Example:  A student beginner could take a minor by studying JAPA141, JAPA142, JAPA143 and JAPA261.

Study Program

*Subject to availability.

Note: JAPA271 is offered to students majoring in Japanese and places are limited.  If all places are not filled by majoring.