Dr Sanako Mitsugi
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2025 (28/07/2025 - 22/11/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Languages & Cultures School
This is an upper advanced level course, for students who have completed JAPN3102 or equivalent. This course introduces you to the fundamental analytical tools used in linguistics for analysis of Japanese. It explores specific areas of grammar that exhibit pervasive structural and semantic differences between Japanese and English. The interplay between socio-cultural factors and language use will also be discussed. The course will help you to systematise and consolidate your knowledge of Japanese to further your proficiency.
This course introduces the fundamental analytical tools used in linguistics for the analysis of the Japanese language. It explores specific areas of grammar that exhibit pervasive structural and semantic differences between Japanese and English. The interplay between socio-cultural factors and language use will also be discussed. The course will assist students in systematisingﾠand consolidating theirﾠknowledge of Japanese to further your proficiency.ﾠ
Course requirements
Assumed background
This course is for students who have completed JAPN3102 or equivalent. Students who do not fulfil those prerequisites, but who have an equivalent knowledge of Japanese (e.g. from equivalent formal prerequisites gained interstate or overseas, or from residence in a Japanese-speaking country) are permitted to enrol in this course if they have been placed here via the online Language Course Placement Advisor.ﾠﾠ
Please also note that enrolment may be refused on the basis of such knowledge or abilities, and enrolment in a different course may be recommended. If a student enrols in a course for which they hold incompatible qualifications, they may be advised to cancel their enrolment, and continued enrolment may result in a forfeiture of credit for this course. Any misrepresentation in the placement process may be raised as a misconduct matter.ﾠ
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
JAPN3102
Course staff
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
This course requires regular in-person attendance throughout the semester and classes won't be recorded. This course follows the University of Queensland’s semester-based calendar for all students, including cross-institutional.
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 nee 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
This course introduces the fundamental analytical tools used in linguistics for the analysis of the Japanese language. It explores specific areas of grammar that exhibit pervasive structural and semantic differences between Japanese and English. The interplay between socio-cultural factors and language use will also be discussed. The course will assist students inﾠsystematising and consolidating their knowledge of Japanese to further your proficiency.ﾠ
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Analyse variation in Japanese language use and the diversity of its users across social, regional, and cultural contexts.
LO2.
Communicate appropriately in Japanese with diverse users by applying knowledge of linguistic variation and sociocultural norms (e.g., formality, age, region).
LO3.
Use patterns, script, and vocabulary taught in the course to communicate on new topics and ideas.
LO4.
Reflect on and respond to feedback on your written Japanese and use this to improve your proficiency.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Participation/ Student contribution, Quiz |
Course placement
|
Hurdle |
1/08/2025 3:00 pm
To be completed online any time before/during Week 1. |
| Participation/ Student contribution, Tutorial/ Problem Set |
Worksheets
|
35% |
Worksheet 1 4/08/2025 4:00 pm Worksheet 2 11/08/2025 4:00 pm Worksheet 3 18/08/2025 4:00 pm Worksheet 4 25/08/2025 4:00 pm Worksheet 5 1/09/2025 4:00 pm Worksheet 6 8/09/2025 4:00 pm Worksheet 7 15/09/2025 4:00 pm Worksheet 8 22/09/2025 4:00 pm Worksheet 9 13/10/2025 4:00 pm Worksheet 10 20/10/2025 4:00 pm
Submissions are scheduled for Monday at 4 pm (at the end of the class) weekly. There is no worksheet due on Weeks 1, 10, and 13. |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation |
Language Analysis 1
|
10% |
5/09/2025 3:00 pm
WEEK 6 |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation |
Language Analysis 2
|
10% |
17/10/2025 3:00 pm
WEEK 11 Submit to Blackboard |
| Examination |
Final Exam
|
45% |
End of Semester Exam Period 8/11/2025 - 22/11/2025
This is a Central exam, scheduled by the Examination Office. |
A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.
Assessment details
Course placement
- Hurdle
- In-person
- Online
- Mode
- Oral, Written
- Category
- Participation/ Student contribution, Quiz
- Weight
- Hurdle
- Due date
1/08/2025 3:00 pm
To be completed online any time before/during Week 1.
Task description
All students who have not completed JAPN3102 at UQ are required to demonstrate that they have been correctly placed in JAPN3209. Failure to do so will result in a maximum grade of 3 for the course. Correct placement via this questionnaire is a hurdle requirement. No assessment items will be marked until this is completed. The link for the placement questionnaire is here: https://languages-cultures.uq.edu.au/study/whats-my-language-level
Students who have completed the prerequisite course, JAPN3102, are not required to retake the questionnaire.
Use of AI in this assessment
The language placement must be completed independently. 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.
Hurdle requirements
All students who have not completed JAPN3102 at UQ are required to demonstrate that they have been correctly placed in JAPN3209.Submission guidelines
Completed online: https://courseplacements.languages-cultures.uq.edu.au/
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Students who are not able to meet the due date due to late enrolment, must contact the Course Coordinator as soon as possible to ensure they comply with this requirement.
Worksheets
- In-person
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance, Written
- Category
- Participation/ Student contribution, Tutorial/ Problem Set
- Weight
- 35%
- Due date
Worksheet 1 4/08/2025 4:00 pm
Worksheet 2 11/08/2025 4:00 pm
Worksheet 3 18/08/2025 4:00 pm
Worksheet 4 25/08/2025 4:00 pm
Worksheet 5 1/09/2025 4:00 pm
Worksheet 6 8/09/2025 4:00 pm
Worksheet 7 15/09/2025 4:00 pm
Worksheet 8 22/09/2025 4:00 pm
Worksheet 9 13/10/2025 4:00 pm
Worksheet 10 20/10/2025 4:00 pm
Submissions are scheduled for Monday at 4 pm (at the end of the class) weekly. There is no worksheet due on Weeks 1, 10, and 13.
- Other conditions
- Student specific, Secure.
Task description
Worksheets are designed to assist students’ continuous and active learning. In each class, students will be given a worksheet with various types of questions. The worksheets are integrated into class activities; we may go over the questions and provide model answers to the questions, and you may receive spontaneous feedback. Working on these questions is an essential part of the class activities.
Submission:
There will be 10 worksheets available throughout the semester. However, please note that only the best 7 marks will be counted towards the students' grade. This means that students can miss 3 submissions without lowering their marks.
Use of AI in this assessment:
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.
Submission guidelines
Worksheets will be distributed during class and must be submitted in class. Students must handwrite the answers on worksheets in Japanese using pens, pencils, and erasers.
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
No extensions are permitted for this series of tasks because worksheets are designed to be completed in alignment with the class schedule, and answers are provided during class. Timely completion is essential to ensure active participation and to maintain the learning outcomes. To accommodate occasional absences or unforeseen circumstances, students may miss up to three worksheet submissions without penalty.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Language Analysis 1
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 10%
- Due date
5/09/2025 3:00 pm
WEEK 6
- Other conditions
- Student specific.
Task description
In this assessment item, students will demonstrate their understanding of the basic linguistic characteristics and make explicit connections between those characteristics and actual linguistic behaviours presented in the task. Students are provided with language data to analyse. Language data will be provided to students at least two weeks before the due date. Students will complete a set of questions and provide a report communicating their analyses and interpretations in Japanese. The topic will be based on key points of content in JAPN3209. When describing the linguistic phenomena, a specific reference to JAPN3209 course materials must be included in the response.
- Write in plain style in written Japanese (i.e., da-tai format).
- Your writing must be clear, comprehensive, yet concise.
- Type in the distributed template.
- Submit a typed digital copy via Blackboard.
Use of AI in this assessment:
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.
Submission guidelines
Submit to Blackboard
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
A maximum extension of 14 days is permitted as correct answers and general feedback will be discussed in class after the due date. To ensure students have sufficient time to prepare, the questions will be made available at least two weeks before the due date.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Language Analysis 2
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 10%
- Due date
17/10/2025 3:00 pm
WEEK 11
Submit to Blackboard
- Other conditions
- Student specific.
Task description
In this assessment item, students will demonstrate their understanding of the basic linguistic characteristics and make explicit connections between those characteristics and actual linguistic behaviours presented in the task. Students are provided with language data to analyse. Language data will be provided to students at least two weeks before the due date. Students will complete a set of questions and provide a report communicating their analyses and interpretations in Japanese. The topic will be based on key points of content in JAPN3209. When describing the linguistic phenomena, a specific reference to JAPN3209 course materials must be included in the response.
Format:
- Write in plain style in written Japanese (i.e., da-tai format).
- Your writing must be clear, comprehensive, yet concise.
- Type in the distributed template.
- Submit a typed digital copy via Blackboard.
Use of AI in this assessment:
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.
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
A maximum extension of 14 days is permitted as correct answers and general feedback will be discussed in class after the due date. To ensure students have sufficient time to prepare, the questions will be made available at least two weeks before the due date.
Final Exam
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 45%
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
8/11/2025 - 22/11/2025
This is a Central exam, scheduled by the Examination Office.
- Other conditions
- Time limited, Secure.
Task description
The final exam assesses your understanding of the materials and contents covered from WEEKS 1-13. Questions are similar to the questions in Worksheets, Language Analyses and other learning activities covered in this course. Study notions/concepts discussed in class in association with relevant and representative examples in Japanese. Memorisation is required to some extent, but it is important for students to be able to apply what they learned in this course to the given data and logically articulate their analysis in their own words in Japanese. The exam will be hand-written, and no dictionaries or electronic devices are allowed.
Use of AI in this assessment:
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.
Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 120 minutes |
| Calculator options | No calculators permitted |
| Open/closed book | Closed book examination - no written materials permitted |
| Exam platform | Paper based |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Submit the answer booklet at the end of the exam.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
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. Writing shows an extremely narrow range of structures and expressions. The student will not fulfil minimal requirements to complete a task. Comprehension 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 lead to extremely limited comprehension. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: The student's writing shows an extremely narrow range of structures and expressions with frequent errors. The student does not fulfil minimal requirements to complete a task. Comprehension of spoken language is limited. Script, is used with limited accuracy and frequency. Considerable gaps in linguistic knowledge and limited use of strategies to locate information in written and spoken texts lead to limited comprehension. |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student's writing shows a narrow range of structures and expressions with accuracy and fluency fluctuating considerably from activity to activity. Student fulfils minimal performance requirements. Comprehension of spoken language is fair in predictable contexts. Student occasionally uses strategies. Script, including characters, is used with fluctuating accuracy and frequency. Considerable gaps in linguistic knowledge and infrequent use of strategies to locate information in written and spoken texts lead to limited comprehension. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student's writing shows a range of structures and expressions used with accuracy and fluency fluctuating considerably from activity to activity. Student will occasionally elaborate beyond minimal performance requirements. Student comprehends most spoken language and occasionally uses strategies when this is not the case. Script, including characters as set out in the Weekly Notes, is used with reasonable accuracy and frequency depending on the activity. Some gaps in linguistic knowledge and use of strategies to locate information in written and spoken texts lead to comprehension problems. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student's writing shows a wide range of structures and expressions. Accuracy and fluency are generally good but open to some fluctuation. Student will frequently elaborate beyond minimal performance requirements. Student comprehends most spoken language and uses strategies effectively when this is not the case. Script, including characters, is used readily and accurately. Student uses a range of strategies and linguistic knowledge in order to locate information in written and spoken texts with frequent success. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student's writing shows a wide range of structures and expressions used accurately and fluently. Student is willing and able to elaborate beyond minimal performance requirements. Student comprehends almost all spoken language and uses strategies effectively when this is not the case. Script, including characters, is used readily and accurately. Student uses a range of strategies and linguistic knowledge and successfully locates information in written and spoken texts. |
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.
Additional assessment information
Marking criteria and/or marking rubrics are available in the ‘Assessment’ folder in Blackboard 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
Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.
Own copy required
You'll need to have your own copy of the following reading resources. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Book |
Yasashii nihongo no shikumi: Nihongogaku no kihon
by Iori; Isao; Hidaka; Mizuho; Maeda; Naoko - 2020 Edition: kaiteiban Publisher: Kuroshio shuppan ISBN: 9784874248300; 9784865048612 |
Other course materials
If we've listed something under further requirement, you'll need to provide your own.
Required
| Item | Description | Further Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Yasashii Nihonngo no Shikumi (revised edition) Iori, Hidaka, et.al. Pub.: Kuroshio shuppan | 「やさしい日本語のしくみ」（改訂版）庵、日高 他 くろしお出版 | own item needed |
Additional learning resources information
Additional reading and relevantﾠmaterials will be distributed via Bb.ﾠ
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 13 |
Tutorial |
Tutorials (TUT1 and TUT2) Learning the components of linguistic theory taking Japanese as the target language. Learning to apply the analytical tools used in linguistics to the analysis of Japanese. Learning the interplay between socio-cultural factors and language use within the Japanese-speaking community. |
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
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.