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Japanese

Study Japanese as part of your Combined Honours degree. Explore Japanese culture and a combination of practical language study and communication skills.

About the programme

You will take a sociological and anthropological approach to understanding this East Asian culture. As a Combined Studies student you'll spend one third of your time on Japanese language study.

During

  • Stage 1 you take introductory modules in Japanese. The emphasis here is on communication skills
  • Stages 2 and 3 you'll build on your developing language skills. We also offer a choice of modules on Japanese culture and society that you could take.

All Combined Honours students studying a language, go abroad for an intercalating year between Stages 2 and 3. You'll spend your year in Japan, studying at a university with which we have links. This is an outstanding opportunity to practise language skills you'll have developed. 

When you return for your final year 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.

Japanese is offered by the School of Modern Languages.

Find out about the regular themed socials, film nights, conversation clubs and even trips abroad with the Modern Languages Society and the Anglo-Japanese Society

Pre-requisites

Japanese can be studied as part of your Combined Honours degree from scratch, post-GCSE or post-A level (or equivalent) standards. For an introduction to Japanese read an Introduction to Japanese Language, Taster Session.

maximum of two language subjects can be taken together, but only one of these can be at beginner's level.

It's not possible to study two language subjects on their own without a third non-language subject.

Chinese and Japanese cannot be taken together.

Modules

Find out about our typical modules. Modules are subject to change and could differ on an annual basis.

Stage 1

Students study either 40 or 60 credits from the list below in Stage 1.

You will follow select modules from Level A if you are a beginner. You will select modules from Level B if you have an A-Level in Japanese.

Select the module code for specific module information including the module summary and aims, knowledge and skills you'll gain, and the module leader.

Level A

Compulsory modules

Module CodeModule Title Credit Value Semester
JPN1065 Level A (HE Entry Level) Japanese I 20 1
JPN1066 Level A (HE Entry Level) Japanese II (Pre-requisite JPN1065) 20 2

Optional modules

Module CodeModule Title Credit Value Semester
JPN1005 Introduction to Japanese History and Culture 20 1&2

Level B

Compulsory module

Module CodeModule Title Credit Value Semester
JPN2010 Level B (HE Intermediate) Japanese 40 1&2

Optional modules

Module CodeModule Title Credit Value Semester
JPN1005 Introduction to Japanese History and Culture 20 1&2
Stage 2

Students study either 40, 60 or 80 credits from the list below in Stage 2.

You follow either Level B or Level C.

Select the module code for specific module information including the module summary and aims, knowledge and skills you'll gain, and the module leader.

Level B

Compulsory module

Module CodeModule Title Credit Value Semester
JPN2010 Level B (HE Intermediate) Japanese 40 1&2

Optional modules

Module CodeModule Title Credit Value Semester
JPN2004 Contemporary Japanese Popular Culture 20 1&2
SML2011 Cities in East Asian Cinema: History, Culture, Identity 20 1
SML2017 Korean I (Pre-requisite: students must have achieved a minimum of 60% in JPN1066) 20 1&2

Level C

Compulsory module

Module CodeModule Title Credit Value Semester
JPN4010  Level C (HE Advanced) Japanese 40 1&2

Optional modules

Module CodeModule Title Credit Value Semester 
JPN2004 Contemporary Japanese Popular Culture 20 1&2
SML2011 Cities in East Asian Cinema: History, Culture, Identity 20 1
SML2016 Reading in Translation 20 2
SML2017 Korean I (Pre-requisite: students must have achieved a minimum of 60% in JPN1066) 20 1&2
Intercalating Year

Students taking a language as a subject must spend an entire academic year abroad, between Stages 2 and 3, in a country where their chosen language is spoken. This will be your Intercalating Stage.

While abroad they shall take the following modules: SML3004 Year Abroad Tutor Posts (100 credits) and SML3006 Study Abroad (20 credits).

Find further information about your Intercalating Year Abroad.

Stage 3

Students study either 40, 60 or 80 credits from the list below in Stage 3.

You will follow either Level C or Level D, depending on what Levels you studied in Stage 2.

Select the module code for specific module information including the module summary and aims, knowledge and skills you'll gain, and the module leader.

Level C

Compulsory module

Module CodeModule Title Credit Value Semester
JPN4010 Level C (HE Advanced) Japanese 40 1&2

Optional modules

Module CodeModule Title Credit ValueSemester
JPN4002 Contemporary Japanese Animation 20 1
JPN4006 Literary and cultural expression in contemporary Japan 20 2
SML2016 Reading in Translation 20 2
SML4099 Dissertation/T&I Project 20 1&2

Level D

Compulsory module

Module CodeModule Title Credit Value Semester
JPN4061  Level D (HE Further Advanced) Japanese  40 1&2

Optional modules

Module CodeModule Title Credit Value Semester
JPN4002 Contemporary Japanese Animation 20 1
JPN4006 Literary and cultural expression in contemporary Japan 20 2
SML4099 Dissertation/T&I Project 20 1&2

Get in touch

If you have any questions about choosing this subject as part of your Combined Honours degree, contact us and we'll be more than happy to help. 

Subject adviser

Patricia Oliart - School of Modern Languages

Our address

Combined Honours Centre
9th Level, Henry Daysh Building
Newcastle University
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 7RU

Tel: +44 (0)191 208 7479