Delivered online, this course aims to develop and maintain an advanced competence in modern Japanese and a working knowledge of the issues currently confronting Japanese society. Students will continue their progress from a controlled intermediate language-learning environment built around a textbook to a more natural engagement with authentic materials aimed at native speakers. Course materials are taken from a variety of up-to-date authentic media, including podcasts (radio, TV and film), websites and print media.

The course online environment creates a flexible teaching and learning space developed for part-time graduate students working full-time who find it difficult to attend university classes, and for remote learning.

The course is delivered through a number of thematic modules. Each module runs for two weeks and students can study them at any time with an online engagement of 3 - 4 hours per week.

Modules covered in this course include:

1. Political change and international relations in Japan

2. Japan's perspective on global environment issues

3. Social issues: family structures, aging society & decreasing birth rate

4. The work environment in Japan

            a. Gender in the workplace

            b. Recession and the ‘working poor'

            c. Pressure and conformity: the ‘edges' of Japanese society

5. Trends in Japanese literature and film

6. History and memory: How the Pacific War is remembered in contemporary Japan

Students will build advanced language skills in listening, reading, analysis, interpretation and debate in Japanese and an understanding of the issues under discussion. Upon successful completion of this course students should be able to: 1. Understand Japanese material related to the course subject area; 2. Use relevant vocabulary to discuss the course topic areas, 3. Develop the confidence and expertise to engage in Japanese at an advanced level, and 4. Develop information gathering, presentation and analytic skills.

Assessment will be based on (1) student participation in the discussion board (written and voiceboard) 20%, (2) module topic worksheets 30%, and (3) a project-including presentation and oral defence 50%.

Three hours of classes per week

Japanese Language Level: Minimum Level 2 Japanese Proficiency (as set by the Japan Foundation), or the equivalent of two years undergraduate study of Japanese or permission of  coordinator.

Japanese Language Level: Minimum Level 2 Japanese Proficiency (as set by the Japan Foundation), or the equivalent of two years undergraduate study of Japanese or permission of  coordinator.

Technical Skills: Familiarity with engaging in an online environment.

None

Familiarity with engaging in an online environment.

Prerequisites: Spoken Japanese 4 (JPNS2013) and Written Japanese D (JPNS2015) at credit level or above, or permission of the Program convener.