JAPANESE 150 : Exploring Japan

Arts

2025 Semester One (1253) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Covers Japanese history, culture and society from the seventeenth century to the contemporary period, and serves as an introduction to Japan. Deals with such diverse topics as Japan under the Shoguns, Japan’s modernisation, the modern political system, Japan’s position in the world, popular culture, social structures and gender relations. No knowledge of the Japanese language is required.

Course Overview

As a core course for major in Japanese, this offers you a brief introduction to Japanese history, culture and society. It is designed for those who are taking up the academic study of Japan for the first time. Previous knowledge of Japan or the Japanese language is not required. 
 
It is multidisciplinary in approach in order to facilitate a full understanding of Japan as a highly complex and dynamic society. Topics include post-war economic development, nationalism, gender, minorities, among others. It serves as an introduction to other fields of advanced study of Japan currently available within Asian Studies. As a stage-one entry-level course, its approach is "wide adn shallow" rather than "deep and narrow", but with the essay assignment you will also have an opportunity to engage wtih a specific topic deeply. It is hoped that during the course of study, each student will discover areas of interest and embark on further study of Japan.

Course Requirements

No pre-requisites or restrictions

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 5: Solution Seeking
Capability 6: Communication
Capability 7: Collaboration
Graduate Profile: Bachelor of Arts

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Understand the historical development of Japan from 1600 to the 21st century (Capability 3)
  2. Understand some key issues in contemporary Japan, such as the growing inequality, changing gender relations and Japan's relations with China and South Korea. (Capability 3 and 4)
  3. Challenge the stereotype of 'homogeneous Japan' through a multidisciplinary approach, and appreciate multi-faceted 'Japan' as a highly complex dynamic society with a rich history (Capability 3 and 4)
  4. Develop skills in critically and analytically examining various aspects of Japan through reading, class discussion and writing (Capability 4, 5, 6 and 7)
  5. Understand Japan in the wider context of East Asia, especially in relation to the imperialist history and the need for reconciliation (Capability 3)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Coursework 50% Individual Coursework
Final Exam 50% Individual Examination

Inspera online exam

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week on each 15 point course that they are enrolled in, including class time and personal study and assignment preparation.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

This course is NOT available for students studying remotely, outside Auckland or offshore in 2024.

All timetabled live lectures will be recorded and available via Canvas.  Other learning activities including tutorials will not be available as recordings.

Attendance is required at scheduled activities including tutorials to complete and receive credit for components of the course. 

Due to their interactive nature, the above sessions will not be available as recordings. 

Some course activities may be delivered on-line. 

Attendance on campus is required for tests and exams. 

The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Feedback from 2024 SET and staff-student consultative meetings have shown that students found the course engaging and enjoyable. Past student feedback has led to the redesigning of the examination components, and we will continue to take student feedback on board.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework, tests and examinations as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against electronic source material using computerised detection mechanisms. Upon reasonable request, students may be required to provide an electronic version of their work for computerised review.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Well-being always comes first
We all go through tough times during the semester, or see our friends struggling. There is lots of help out there - for more information, look at this Canvas page https://canvas.auckland.ac.nz/courses/33894, which has links to various support services in the University and the wider community.

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Published on 13/11/2024 08:15 a.m.