Japanese Language and Studies

Convenor: Ikuko Nakane

Re-enrolling students in 2012/2013

If you are re-enrolling in language subject in 2012 pleasesee the Language Students: What you need to know for 2012 and 2013: Japanese pdf for a transition table that explains which subjects you will need to take. You are encouraged also to consult the Arts Student Centre Transition Tables or speak to a Courst Adviser in your Student Centre.

Japanese

Japan's position in Asia and the world is one full of apparent contradictions and unexpected outcomes. How did one of the oldest political and economic systems survive complete defeat in the Pacific War and rise to power again in the 1980s? Considering this influential economy, how do we explain rising figures of unemployment and retrenchment? In a frequently conservative society, how do we account for the radical and often groundbreaking achievements of Japanese artists in the field of popular and underground culture? How are these cultural forms translated into commodities consumed in other Asian and non-Asian societies?

The study of Japanese language and culture gives the individual insight not only into a deep and diverse culture but also provides important contrasts when considering various nations' roles in the Asia Pacific region. Due to its geographic isolation, Japan is in some ways unrelated to its Asian neighbours.; Yet in other areas -- such as religion and philosophy -- Japan is firmly entrenched in the Asian community. An understanding of Japanese language and culture contributes to students' wider understanding of these complex and fascinating cultural, historical, political and economic flows in Asia.

Iori Hamada, PhD candidate

Benyokai - Japanese study group - All Welcome!

Student testimonial: Iori Hamada, PhD candidate

My PhD research concerns cross-cultural representation via Japanese food outside Japan.  I am extremely grateful for my scholarship and the critical feedback I have received from my supervisors and peers, which have helped me to improve my research practice.

Studying Japanese at Asia Institute makes a difference

Japanese language classes cater for a range of competencies, from beginners level for students with little or no knowledge of the language to more advanced levels for students with prior experience. Students will receive a comprehensive grounding in Japanese language with opportunities to focus on social and cultural areas of interest that include Japanese art and architecture, history, law, politics and popular culture.

Students who develop a sound understanding of Japanese language and culture will develop transferable and highly valued skills that will enhance their career options. These include professional careers in fields of government, industry and commerce, teaching, publishing and translation. Graduates are able to expand their knowledge through an articulated structure of higher degree study options at the University of Melbourne. The University has long established partnerships in student exchange and research with over a dozen of Japan's elite universities.

Ways to Study Japanese

Undergraduate students can study Japanese as:

Japanese can also be studied as:

At the Postgraduate level, Japanese Studies offer courses for:

Japanese can also form a component in an Asian Studies program at both undergraduate and post-graduate levels.

Credit for Overseas Study

Please note that not all exchange programs are valid for credit. Please check this before leaving for overseas study. Also, all overseas study is subject to DFAT warnings.

Students are expected to have completed a minimum of one years study in the Japanese Program before going overseas to study.

Credit is ungraded and available only at levels 1-3. A maximum of 37.5 points of language subject credit will be recommended to the Arts Faculty for a semester of Japanese language study overseas in an approved university in Japan. An additional 12.5 points may be recommended to be attributed towards other non-language Arts credit (either specified or unspecified). This will also represent the maximum number of points that a student may have recommended for credit from overseas study towards the major or Diploma of Modern Languages (DML) in Japanese.

This policy will apply to all study undertaken by our students overseas whether they go on an official university exchange, on government scholarships or on a self-funded basis. For further information please contact Dr Sayuki Machida by email, sayuki@unimelb.edu.au.

Japanese LOTE Accreditation Examination

The Institute holds examinations for LOTE accreditation for prospective teachers of Japanese in the first or second week of January and June each year. The examination consists of written and oral components. Further information on how to apply, dates and fees can be found on the LOTE accreditation exams web page.

Japanese Language-Specific Scholarships

The Japanese Government (Monbukagakusho) scholarships for Australian Citizens to study at Japanese Universities at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels are usually offered each year. Information and eligibility details (ie. examinations, interviews) and applications forms are available from the Embassy of Japan from early March each year.

Sakata Scholarships

This sponsorship opportunity affords high achieving students enrolled in Japanese language studies at the University of Melbourne the opportunity seek a scholarship to further pursue their Japanese language studies either in Japan or in Australia. The value of the award ranges from $3000 to $5000. Applications close Thursday 26th April 2012. Guidelines and Application form (200kb pdf).

The University of Melbourne and the Asia Institute acknowledge the generous support of Sakata Holdings Australia Pty. Ltd. which has made this scholarship opportunity possible.

Keiko Hongo Scholarship

The Keiko Hongo Japanese Scholarship is offered to assist students of Japanese at Honours level or students who are intending to continue studies at Masters or PhD level. Scholarships can be used for Research Fieldwork and other associated activities and can fund applicable expenses to do such work. $1,000-$2,000 available each year for each student. Application Form (45kb pdf).

The Lionel Phillips Scholarship for Asian Studies

Offered by Queen's College, University of Melbourne.

The scholarship is given in honour of Lionel Philips (Arts, 1940) who spent much of his life in Japan working in the Australian diplomatic service. It is awarded to an honours or a post-graduate student who is pursuing a degree in the following areas: (a) Japanese, Chinese or Korean language, history or culture; (b) Australia's relations with Japan, China or Korea; or (c) Business or legal studies focusing on Japan, China or Korea. The scholarship is valued at $7,500 per annum.

Melbourne Global Language Scholarships

For information regarding the Melbourne Global Language Scholarships, please go to the Asia Institute Scholarships web page.

More general undergraduate information can be found on the Help for Undergraduate students web page.

Subjects

A full description of all subjects that contribute to a Bachelor of Arts (Japanese major) is available on the Undergraduate Handbook summary web page. A full description of all subjects that contribute to a Diploma in Languages (Japanese) is available on the Undergraduate Handbook summary web page.

Staff in Japanese Program

watanabe@unimelb.edu.au

Name

Room

Telephone

Email address
Sayuki MACHIDA 216 834 48108 sayuki@unimelb.edu.au
Claire MAREE 235 9035 4108 cmaree@unimelb.edu.au
Ikuko NAKANE (Convenor) 238 834 48893 inakane@unimelb.edu.au
Sachiko NOGUCHI (Honorary) 239 834 45991 sachiko@unimelb.edu.au
Jun OHASHI 320 834 44263 juno@unimelb.edu.au
Emiko OKAYAMA 228 834 48199 eokayama@unimelb.edu.au
Charles SCHENCKING (on leave until 2013) 309 834 45976 j.schencking@unimelb.edu.au
Carolyn STEVENS 312 834 47582 css@unimelb.edu.au
Etsuko TOYODA 319 834 45463 etsuko@unimelb.edu.au
Yasuhisa Watanabe
 236
 903 55552


Web Resources