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.
A 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.
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 Code | Module 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 Code | Module Title | Credit Value | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| JPN1005 | Introduction to Japanese History and Culture | 20 | 1&2 |
Level B
Compulsory module
| Module Code | Module Title | Credit Value | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| JPN2010 | Level B (HE Intermediate) Japanese | 40 | 1&2 |
Optional modules
| Module Code | Module 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 Code | Module Title | Credit Value | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| JPN2010 | Level B (HE Intermediate) Japanese | 40 | 1&2 |
Optional modules
| Module Code | Module 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 Code | Module Title | Credit Value | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| JPN4010 | Level C (HE Advanced) Japanese | 40 | 1&2 |
Optional modules
| Module Code | Module 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 Code | Module Title | Credit Value | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| JPN4010 | Level C (HE Advanced) Japanese | 40 | 1&2 |
Optional modules
| Module Code | Module Title | Credit Value | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 Code | Module Title | Credit Value | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| JPN4061 | Level D (HE Further Advanced) Japanese | 40 | 1&2 |
Optional modules
| Module Code | Module 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
Dr Patricia Oliart - School of Modern Languages
Professor Guy Austin - School of Modern Languages