Dr Kaz Hagiwara
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2026 (23/02/2026 - 20/06/2026)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Languages & Cultures School
This is an advanced level course, for students who have completed JAPN3020 or equivalent. This course offers intensive language practice using various Japanese animations. It aims to develop students' understanding of a variety of spoken styles, both formal and informal, as well as their critical, cultural, and linguistic literacy.
Course requirements
Assumed background
JAPN3130 is for students who have completed JAPN3020 (previously JAPN3003) or equivalent, or for students who have been directly placed in JAPN3130. It is possible for students who have completed JAPN3020 (previously JAPN3003) to enrol in JAPN3030 (previously JAPN3002) and JAPN3130 concurrently, but if their result in JAPN3020 was 4, it is recommended that they complete JAPN30xx level courses before enrolling in this course. Placement and pre-requisite checks will be undertaken and students enrolled in the incorrect course for their level will be asked to cancel their enrolment. Consult your course coordinator with any concerns about your placement.
For those who are interested in learning more about Japanese arts and culture, there are also subjects taught in English (i.e. no Japanese language skills required): LTCS2028 Understanding Contemporary Japanese Society and Culture, and LTCS2030 Modern Japanese Literature and Society. Check if these can be taken as a part of your Japanese minor/major.ﾠﾠ
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
JAPN3003, JAPN3020
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
JAPN2530
Course staff
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
Public holidays:
Alternative arrangements for affected students will be announced through the Blackboard site.
Class allocation:
In order to optimise the student experience, it may be necessary to reallocate students to a different class from their first choice.
Before this happens, every effort will be made to enable students to voluntarily change into an alternative class that is suitable.
Please note: Teaching staff do not have access to the timetabling system to help with class allocation. Therefore, should you need help with your timetable and/or allocation of classes, please ensure you email hass.mytimetable@uq.edu.au from your UQ student email account with the following details:
- Full name,
- Student ID, and
- the Course Code
Additional information and support can be found here.
Aims and outcomes
- Recognise differences in speech forms and styles related to age, gender, class, formality, region, and time period
- Understand expressive techniques such as humour and irony
- Gain insight into broader historical and sociocultural issues in Japan
- Learn new Japanese vocabulary and grammar in context
- Learn to express one’s opinion on a text in both oral and written Japanese
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Communicate in spoken and written Japanese on course-related topics, using appropriate patterns, vocabulary, script, and culturally appropriate expressions.
LO2.
Use patterns, script, and vocabulary taught in the course to communicate on new topics and ideas.
LO3.
Analyse variation in Japanese language use and the diversity of its users across social, regional, and cultural contexts.
LO4.
Collaborate with a partner to produce spoken work in Japanese.
LO5.
Critically analyse anime and other texts within their sociohistorical contexts.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Participation/ Student contribution, Tutorial/ Problem Set |
Weekly Contribution
|
25% |
WEEK 2 tutorial task - 5/03/2026 5:00 pm WEEK 3 tutorial task - 12/03/2026 5:00 pm WEEK 4 tutorial task - 19/03/2026 5:00 pm WEEK 5 tutorial task - 26/03/2026 5:00 pm WEEK 6 tutorial task - 2/04/2026 5:00 pm WEEK 7 tutorial task - 16/04/2026 5:00 pm WEEK 8 tutorial task - 23/04/2026 5:00 pm WEEK 9 tutorial task - 30/04/2026 5:00 pm WEEK 10 tutorial task - 7/05/2026 5:00 pm WEEK 11 tutorial task - 14/05/2026 5:00 pm WEEK 12 tutorial task - 21/05/2026 5:00 pm WEEK 13 tutorial task - 28/05/2026 5:00 pm
Weekly tasks are due for submission in hard copy/in person during the tutorial, or via Blackboard by 5pm on the day of the tutorial. |
| Presentation, Role play/ Simulation |
In-Class Movie Commentary
|
15% |
2/03/2026 - 25/05/2026
WEEK 2 - WEEK 13 Students sign up for a presentation week at the beginning of semester. The schedule will be available on Blackboard and the student's assigned date is considered the due date for this assessment. |
| Examination |
Written Exam
|
25% |
30/04/2026
WEEK 9 (in-class) |
| Presentation, Role play/ Simulation |
Movie Review
|
35% |
9/06/2026 - 18/06/2026
End of Semester EXAM BLOCK Sign up for a timeslot. The student's assigned timeslot will be considered the due date and time for this assessment. |
Assessment details
Weekly Contribution
- In-person
- Online
- Mode
- Oral, Written
- Category
- Participation/ Student contribution, Tutorial/ Problem Set
- Weight
- 25%
- Due date
WEEK 2 tutorial task - 5/03/2026 5:00 pm
WEEK 3 tutorial task - 12/03/2026 5:00 pm
WEEK 4 tutorial task - 19/03/2026 5:00 pm
WEEK 5 tutorial task - 26/03/2026 5:00 pm
WEEK 6 tutorial task - 2/04/2026 5:00 pm
WEEK 7 tutorial task - 16/04/2026 5:00 pm
WEEK 8 tutorial task - 23/04/2026 5:00 pm
WEEK 9 tutorial task - 30/04/2026 5:00 pm
WEEK 10 tutorial task - 7/05/2026 5:00 pm
WEEK 11 tutorial task - 14/05/2026 5:00 pm
WEEK 12 tutorial task - 21/05/2026 5:00 pm
WEEK 13 tutorial task - 28/05/2026 5:00 pm
Weekly tasks are due for submission in hard copy/in person during the tutorial, or via Blackboard by 5pm on the day of the tutorial.
Task description
In order to encourage steady progress and provide regular feedback, participation is marked and students are required to complete regular tasks. These may be written or oral tasks. The tasks are provided in class and are then made available on powerpoints after class.
The tasks are due to be presented or submitted in-person in Tutorial 2 (Thursdays), or via Blackboard by 5pm after class that same day (submission instructions on the powerpoint). Handwriting (using a stylus or pen/pencil) is required for written tasks.
Note that the Weekly Task is often assigned during "Tutorial 1" (the 1-hour class earlier in the week) and students may be expected to prepare it for "Tutorial 2" (the 2-hour class later in the week).
This is marked across 12 weeks, with 2.5 marks per week combined for participation (1 mark) and task (1.5 marks). Of these 12, the best 10 weekly marks will be counted towards the final "Weekly Contribution" mark. Total 10 weekly marks x 2.5 marks each = 25 marks.
Task marking criteria:
- 1.5: Completed correctly or largely correctly
- 1: Completed with some errors or problems understanding the task
- 0.5: Incomplete submission or does not meet the requirements of the task
Participation marking criteria (0.5 per tutorial x 2 tutorials per week = 1 mark per week)
- 0.5 Actively contributes to class discussion and activities for the entire session.
GEN AI and MT Statement
This assessment marking is based on effort and mistakes are not penalised. The purpose is to offer regular practice and feedback on writing and speaking, towards achieving the learning outcomes of the course and succeeding in the more heavily weighted Exam and Movie Review assessment (held in-person without access to AI).
Whilst students may use AI and/or MT technologies, successful completion of assessment in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide only limited support and guidance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
To pass this assessment, students may be required to demonstrate detailed comprehension of their written submission independent of AI and MT tools.
Submission guidelines
In person or via Blackboard as per submission instructions on powerpoint for the relevant week.
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
No extensions are allowed for this assessment task as it has been designed to encourage engagement with the course content and to support the sequential nature of learning in this course. Students who do not attend class can access the powerpoint and submit the task by 5pm on the same day for full possible marks (1.5 marks per task). The Weekly Contribution mark is assigned every week for 12 weeks, and the best 10 marks will be counted.
In-Class Movie Commentary
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance, Oral
- Category
- Presentation, Role play/ Simulation
- Weight
- 15%
- Due date
2/03/2026 - 25/05/2026
WEEK 2 - WEEK 13
Students sign up for a presentation week at the beginning of semester. The schedule will be available on Blackboard and the student's assigned date is considered the due date for this assessment.
Task description
Students will give an oral presentation and lead a discussion, on the topic provided for the week and session that they have signed up for. This involves preparing an introduction to the topic and/or the focus text, leading a discussion with peers in small groups or the whole class (depending on attendance numbers), and summarising the main points that were discussed with peers.
The format is:
- Introduction: 1 min
- Discussion: 5 min
- Summary: 1 min
As per the marking rubric, this task requires students to demonstrate their developing skills in analysing texts with awareness of cultural context, and their grasp of the grammar and vocabulary being taught in the course.
Students are required to submit their prepared "Introduction" and some prepared points for discussion (dot points / a list of questions) via Blackboard, by 5pm on their assigned due date. This is a written submission, which can be typed or handwritten.
GEN AI and MT Statement
This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use AI and/or MT technologies, successful completion of assessment in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide only limited support and guidance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
To pass this assessment, students will be required to demonstrate detailed comprehension of their written submission independent of AI and MT tools.
***
Students with exam adjustments in place should contact the Course Coordinator directly and apply through My Requests to activate them for this assessment.
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
As this is an in-class assessment that involves leading discussion with peers, students who have extensions approved for after classes have finished may be required to sit an alternative form of assessment such as an in-person spontaneous interview.
Written Exam
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 25%
- Due date
30/04/2026
WEEK 9 (in-class)
- Other conditions
- Secure.
Task description
The Written Exam is held during regular Tutorial 2 session in WEEK 9 at 12pm. Students must sit the exam during the tutorial session they are enrolled in.
Question formats include multiple choice, short answer, and essay. Students will be marked on their grasp of content taught in this course, including grammar, vocabulary, sociocultural context, and familiarity with the texts (anime and other texts) studied in weeks 1-8, as well as their textual analysis skills in Japanese.
This is an open book assessment. This means you can refer to your class materials and notes, and use dictionaries in hard copy only; you are not permitted to use any electronic devices.
This is a handwritten exam.
GEN AI and MT Statement
This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI or MT may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
***
Students with exam adjustments in place should contact the Course Coordinator directly and apply through My Requests to activate them for this assessment.
Exam details
| Planning time | no planning time minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 90 minutes |
| Calculator options | No calculators permitted |
| Open/closed book | Open book examination - any written or printed material is permitted; material may be annotated |
| Materials | Hard copy materials only permitted. |
| Exam platform | Paper based |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Movie Review
- Identity Verified
- Team or group-based
- In-person
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance, Oral
- Category
- Presentation, Role play/ Simulation
- Weight
- 35%
- Due date
9/06/2026 - 18/06/2026
End of Semester EXAM BLOCK
Sign up for a timeslot. The student's assigned timeslot will be considered the due date and time for this assessment.
- Other conditions
- Secure.
Task description
The movie review is a conversation-style spoken review of a film selected from the list provided. Students are required to form pairs and sign up for a session during exam block.
Select one of the following films:
- 今敏「パプリカ」2006年
- 宮崎駿「風立ちぬ」2013年
- 山田尚子「きみの色」2024年
Be sure to check the Japanese release date carefully and watch the correct film. Other films, manga, anime, and so on may have the same/similar titles.
Your review must be of the Japanese-language film (not a version dubbed into another language).
The presentation must be up to 4-5 minutes (per pair), which will be followed by brief Q&A session with questions from markers and student audience (around 3-5 minutes).
The presentation should not be two separate speeches or a lecture, but a dialogue between the two presenters and with the audience in mind.
Also, the presentation should not simply describe the film but it must include a critical or analytical discussion of some specific features/themes/issues contained in the film. Include both of the following:
- a comparison of the selected anime movie with another relevant text, for example a novel or manga original for the anime, or another anime, movie, manga, or novel with similar themes
- a discussion of either certain linguistic features within the anime reviewed (e.g. gendered language, politeness, dialect) or the key expressions (i.e. memorable lines and important phrases) in the selected anime movie.
Other notes:
- No use of Powerpoint slides or showing of videos is allowed.
- Cosplay and props are allowed but will not earn any extra points.
- Students may use some notes from time to time, but cannot receive a high mark if they read out from a script (see marking criteria).
All students are expected to watch previews for all the films and be attentive audience members, giving peer feedback on the reviews and participating in the Q&A. Peer feedback is a part of each student's mark.
GEN AI and MT Statement
This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use AI and/or MT technologies, successful completion of assessment in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide only limited support and guidance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
To pass this assessment, students will be required to demonstrate detailed comprehension of their written submission independent of AI and MT tools.
***
Students with exam adjustments in place should contact the Course Coordinator directly and apply through My Requests to activate them for this assessment.
An extension, if approved, it does not apply to the student's partner, so the partner will need to make alternative plans with the Coordinator.
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 24 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: A student awarded this grade has not completed the required assessment items. |
| 2 (Fail) | 25 - 44 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: A student awarded this grade has not completed the required assessment items. Speaking is highly simplified and halting, often being single word responses with no initiation and writing shows an extremely narrow range of structures and expressions used. In speaking and writing, student will not fulfil minimal requirements to complete a task. Comprehension of spoken language is extremely limited. Script, is used with limited accuracy and use of characters is infrequent. Lack of linguistic knowledge and limited use of strategies to locate information in written and spoken texts lead to extremely limited comprehension. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: A student demonstrates some understanding of the items introduced in the course, and has developed proficiency level in at least one skill area to meet more than one of the course objectives. Some of the course requirements (submission of assignments, class participation) are met, however, the standard of work does not show sufficient effort, and progress in language, content knowledge and research/learning skills was not made during the course. |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: A student demonstrates basic understanding of the items introduced in the course, and has developed proficiency level in some of the four skill areas to meet some of the course objectives. Most of the course requirements are completed, and student occasionally elaborates beyond minimal performance requirements. The standard of work,ﾠhowever,ﾠcould be improved and progress in language, content knowledge and research / learning skills could be desired. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: A student demonstrates sound understanding of the items introduced in the course, and has developed sufficient proficiency level in most of the four skill areas to meet most of the course objectives. Accuracy and fluency generally good but open to some fluctuation. All the course requirements are completed in good standard, and student frequently elaborates beyond minimal performance requirements. Some progress in language, content knowledge and research/learning skills is evident throughout the course. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: A student demonstrates good understanding of the items introduced in the course, and has developed a high proficiency level in all four skill areas to meet most of the course objectives. Student uses a range of strategies and linguistic knowledge and all of theﾠcourse requirements are completed with an excellent standard. Progress in language, content knowledge and research / learning skills is evident throughout the course. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: A student demonstrates excellent understanding of the items introduced in the course, and has developed a high proficiency level in all four skill areas to meet all of the course objectives. Student uses a range of strategies and linguistic knowledge successfully andﾠthe entire course requirementsﾠare completed with an exceptional standard. Progress in language, content knowledge and research/learning skills is evident throughout the course. |
Additional course grading information
Marking criteria and/or marking rubrics are available in the ‘Assessment’ folder in Blackboard for this course.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Multiple weeks From Week 1 To Week 4 |
Tutorial |
Unit 1: Other Languages and Cultures |
Multiple weeks From Week 5 To Week 8 |
Tutorial |
Unit 2: Food |
Multiple weeks From Week 10 To Week 13 |
Tutorial |
Unit 3: Peace, Protest, Propaganda |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments for Students Policy and Procedure
- AI for Assessment Guide
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.