Japanese

This subject is offered by the School of Modern Languages.

Subject summary

Japanese language provision in the School of Modern Languages combines practical language study and communication skills with the study of Japanese culture. At Newcastle we adopt a largely sociological and anthropological approach to understanding East Asian cultures, rather than seeking an understanding through the study of literature. If you are a Combined Studies student you are expected to spend one third of your time on Japanese language study.

At Stage 1 you take introductory modules in Japanese. The emphasis is on communication skills and no prior knowledge of Japanese is necessary.

At Stages 2 and 3 you build on the language skills developed in Stage 1 with further Japanese modules.

Alongside these modules we offer a choice of modules on Japanese culture and society that you could take if they fit into your plan of study. In Stage 3 you could also write a dissertation on an approved topic relating to the culture of Japan, supervised by one of our members of staff.

You will spend your Intercalating Year in Japan, which gives you the opportunity to practise the language skills you have developed. The year abroad is spent studying at a university with which we have links.

Pre-requisites

Japanese can be studied from scratch, post-GCSE or post-A level (or equivalent) standards.

Further information

Please note that a maximum of two language subjects can be taken together and only one of these can be at beginners’ level. Chinese and Japanese cannot be taken together.

Please note that from 2012 entry onwards no more than one Modern Language can be continued past Stage 1.

Examples of Japanese modules offered

Code Module Credits
Stage 1    
Level A:    
JPN1003 Level A Japanese Language I 20 credits
JPN1004 Level A Japanese Language II 20 credits
JPN1005 Introduction to Japanese History and Culture 20 credits
Level B:    
JPN2001 Level B Japanese Language 40 credits
JPN1005 Introduction to Japanese History and Culture 20 credits
Stage 2    
JPN2001 Level B Japanese Language 40 credits
JPN2104 Japanese Society in the Post-war period 20 credits
SML2009 Japanese Society in Post War Cinema:
Ghosts, Gangsters, Warriors		 20 credits

Stage 3
Students taking a language as a subject must spend an entire academic year abroad in a country where their chosen language is spoken between Stages 2 and 3. This shall be their Intercalating Stage. While abroad they shall take the following modules: SML3004 Personal Learning Record (100 credits) SML3005 Intercalary Project (20 credits) or SML3006 Study Abroad (20 credits).

Code Module Credits
Stage 4    
JPN4001 Level C Japanese Language 40 credits
SML2009 Japanese Society in Post War Cinema:
Ghosts, Gangsters, Warriors		 20 credits
JPN4003 Gender Discourses in Modern Japanese History 20 credits
SML4099 Dissertation [Japan] 20 credits
JPN2104 Japanese Society in the Post-war period 20 credits
CNH2102 Elementary Chinese I 20 credits
CHN2101 Elementary Chinese I I 20 credits