Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2019-2020 (archived)

Module JPNS3012: JAPANESE LANGUAGE 4

Department: Modern Languages and Cultures (Japanese)

JPNS3012: JAPANESE LANGUAGE 4

Type Open Level 3 Credits 40 Availability Available in 2019/20 Module Cap Location Durham

Prerequisites

  • Japanese Language 2B (JPNS2012), Japanese Language 2A (JPNS 2161) or equivalent qualification, subject to decision by the module’s language coordinator.

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • Any CFLS-coded Japanese Language modules.

Aims

  • The focus of this module is proficiency in oral and written Japanese. It aims to develop in the student an ability to write and speak correct Japanese in expressing ideas in a broad range of topical issues in historical and cultural context.
  • To encourage individual talents and proclivities and help students to achieve their maximum potential

Content

  • Teaching will concentrate on the following:
  • Use of advanced grammatical constructions and appropriate register forms (plain, -masu, honorific)
  • Topic-based discussion and composition related to contemporary Japanese culture and society
  • Translation Japanese <> English
  • News and current affairs comprehension (written and audio-visual)
  • Oral expression

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • By the end of this module the students should gain an understanding of the main trends in the development of modern Japanese society in a broad historical and cultural context
Subject-specific Skills:
  • By the end of this module the students should be able to demonstrate the competence in communication in grammatically correct Japanese with appropriate use of honorific language and in demonstrating the abilities to perform contextual and linguistic analyses of original texts.
Key Skills:
  • By the end of this module the students should be able to discuss topical or general issues sensibly and fluently in Japanese, to express their own ideas in written form and be able to translate a wide range of original texts into target language.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • Weekly seminars which give students practice in analysing and commenting on Japanese original texts.
  • Independent learning will be structured around the preparation for seminars and research for the cultural context.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Topic-based Comprehension and Textual Analysis 42 2 per week 1 hour 42 ■
Grammar, Written and Translation Exercises 42 2 per week 1 hour 42 ■
Spoken Japanese Practice 21 1 per week 1 hour 21 ■
Listening Comprehension 21 1 per week 1 hour 21 ■
Preparation and Reading 274
Total 400

Summative Assessment

Component: Written Examination Component Weighting: 60%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Comprehension, Composition and Translation Exam 3 hours 100% No
Component: Oral Examination Component Weighting: 20%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Oral Examination 15 minutes 100% No
Component: Listening Comprehension Component Weighting: 20%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Listening Comprehension 1 hour 100% No

Formative Assessment:

In addition to weekly exercises (kana/kanji & vocabulary), as specified by the teachers, there will be formal formative assessments: Listening Comprehension test and / or Comprehension/Translation test. These will be recorded. Marked scripts will be returned to students.

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University