JAPN 3212 - Intermediate Japanese B

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2014

This course is a continuation of the Intermediate Japanese A course and aims to develop students' Japanese language competence from a lower-intermediate to a higher-intermediate level. In this course, a strong emphasis is placed on enhancing students' practical conversational ability so that they will be able to converse and discuss on a wider range of topics. At the same time, increased emphases will be also placed on developing reading and writing skills.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code JAPN 3212
    Course Intermediate Japanese B
    Coordinating Unit Asian Studies
    Term Semester 2
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 3 hours per week
    Prerequisites JAPN 3211
    Incompatible JAPN 2012
    Course Description This course is a continuation of the Intermediate Japanese A course and aims to develop students' Japanese language competence from a lower-intermediate to a higher-intermediate level. In this course, a strong emphasis is placed on enhancing students' practical conversational ability so that they will be able to converse and discuss on a wider range of topics. At the same time, increased emphases will be also placed on developing reading and writing skills.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Shoko Yoneyama

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    At the successful completion of this course, students will:
    1 Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of Japanese at an intermediate level
    2 Demonstrate linguistic skills of Japanese at an intermediate level, in all four areas of reading, writing, speaking and listening. 
    3 Locate and use Japanese materials on the Internet, to conduct basic research on various aspects of Japan.
    4 Demonstrate skills in communicating in Japanese in a culturally appropriate manner in a variety of situations including business and professional contexts. 
    5 Demonstrate proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies in research, writing, communication and presentation.
    6 Develop qualities to become autonomous, critical and creative thinkers, able to work as professionals in relevant fields relating to Japan, using the knowledge and skills listed above.
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised. 1, 2
    The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner. 3
    Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication. 4
    A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies. 5
    A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life. 1-6
    A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community. 6
    An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities. 6
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    The following textbooks are used:
    1) Minna no nihongo Chukyu I (Tokyo: 3A Corporation, 2008)
    2) Minna no Nihongo Chukyu I: Translation & Grammatical Notes (Tokyo: 3A Corporation, 2009)
    3) Minna no Nihongo Chukyu 1: Mondaishu (Tokyo: 3A Corporation, 2012)

    The above set of textbooks are available at UniBooks.

    Copies of these textbooks are available at the Barr Smith (University) Library.

    Lecture recordings: Please note that lectures will not be recorded.
    Recommended Resources
    A Dictionary of Basic/Intermediate/Advanced Japanese Grammar (3 separate dictionaries) Makino, S & Tsutsui, M. (2009) The Japan Times

    Ichikawa , S. Dutcher, D., Boyd, S. Sawamura, K. (eds) Kenkyusha Eiwa Katsuyo Daijiten [Kenkyusha Dictionary of English collocations], avaiable at the University Library

    Mainichi Newspaper Accessible from PressDisplay, The University of Adelaide Library https://login.proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?qurl=http%3a%2f%2flibrary.pressdisplay.com

    Kikuzo II Asani Newspaper Database Available at the University Library http://database.asahi.com.proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/library2e/

    The Japan Times Online (with free archive access).
    Online Learning
    MyUni will be used throughout the semester for course-related announcements, and to provide course-related material such as: course outline, instructions for assignments, etc.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    All classes will involve interactive teaching and learning. There will be two parts:
    • Textbook-based structured learning where students can learn essential vocabulary, kanji, grammar and conversation skills in a systematic manner.
    • Student-centred and small group learning where students are engaged in small-scale research on a topic relevant to the reading material provided.

    The small group discussions will enable students to share information and ideas in Japanese.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    1 x 1-hour lecture (or equivalent) per week 12 hours per semester
    1 x 2-hour tutorial (or equivalent) per week 12 hours per semester
    6 hours reading and research per week 72 hours per semester
    2 hours writing practice per week 24 hours per semester
    2 hours assignment preparation per week 24 hours per semester
    TOTAL WORKLOAD 156 hours per semester
    Learning Activities Summary
    Information available on enrolment.
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment Task Task Type Weighting Learning Outcome
    Participation Formative and Summative 10% 1-7
    Class notebook Formative and Summative 15% 1-7
    3 x Kanji, vocabulary and grammar tests Formative and Summative 15% 1-7
    Written test Formative and Summative 35% 1-7
    Oral test Formative and Summative 10% 1-7
    Research presentation Formative and Summative 15% 1-7
    Assessment Related Requirements
    Attendance is compulsory.
    Assessment Detail
    Participation (10%): students will attend and participate in tutorials.

    Class notebook (15%): students will answer weekly questions and detail the progress of their research report.

    3 x Kanji, vocabulary and grammar tests (15%): these tests will be conducted in-class during the first half of the course.

    Written test (35%): will assess students' understanding of the materials introduced in the first half of the course. It will include reading comprehension questions of previously unseen text(s). No dictionaries will be allowed.

    Oral test (10%): will assess students’ ability to communicate verbally based on vocabulary and grammar points learned in the first half of the course. The test will be conducted in pairs, with each student speaking for 3 minutes.

    Research presentation (15%): students are required to do a PowerPoint presentation based on their research on a chosen topic.
    Submission
    Information available on enrolment.
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.