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Course profile

Introduction to Japanese Linguistics (JAPN3209)

Study period
Sem 2 2024
Location
St Lucia
Attendance mode
In Person

Course overview

Study period
Semester 2, 2024 (22/07/2024 - 18/11/2024)
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 or equivalent

Course staff

Course coordinator

Lecturer

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.

Demonstrate understanding of fundamental linguistic issues relevant to Japanese.

LO2.

Analyse and discuss aspects of Japanese language from a linguistic perspective.

LO3.

Understand basic cultural perspectives underlying Japanese linguistic behaviours.

LO4.

Present understanding of topics in Japanese linguistics in a communicative manner orally and in writing.

Assessment

Assessment summary

Category Assessment task Weight Due date
Placement Course placement
  • Hurdle
  • Online
Hurdle

26/07/2024 5:00 pm

Paper/ Report/ Annotation Language Analysis 1
  • Online
15%

6/09/2024 11:59 pm

Paper/ Report/ Annotation Language Analysis 2
  • Online
15%

8/11/2024 11:59 pm

Tutorial/ Problem Set In-class worksheets
  • In-person
30%

Each worksheet is due two days after the session in which it is distributed, i.e. if the worksheet is distributed in Friday class, it is due on Sunday.

Examination, Quiz In-Class Written Exam
  • In-person
40%

8/10/2024 4:00 pm

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
  • Online
Mode
Written
Category
Placement
Weight
Hurdle
Due date

26/07/2024 5:00 pm

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 JAPN3209 are not required to retake the questionnaire.


Hurdle requirements

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. Students who have completed the prerequisite course JAPN3102 are not required to retake the questionnaire. This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.

Submission guidelines

https://languages-cultures.uq.edu.au/study/whats-my-language-level

Deferral or extension

You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.

There is no rule about the availability of extensions this non-assessment task as it is intended to provide a fair placement for all students in accordance with their learning background and ability to complete this course. There is no penalty for not doing this. However, it is strongly recommended that you complete this task to ensure that you are placed in the most appropriate course for your level. Please contact the coordinator of your intended Japanese course if you have any questions. 

Language Analysis 1

  • Online
Mode
Written
Category
Paper/ Report/ Annotation
Weight
15%
Due date

6/09/2024 11:59 pm

Other conditions
Student specific.

See the conditions definitions

Learning outcomes
L01, L02, L03, L04

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. Students will complete a set of questions and provide a report communicating their analyses and interpretations. The topic will be based on key points of content in JAPN3209. When describing the linguistic phenomena, a specific reference to JAPN3209 course materials should be included in the response. 

Format: 

  • Write in plain style in written Japanese (i.e., da-tai format).
  • The reports must be clear, comprehensive, yet concise.
  • Type in the distributed template.
  • Submit a typed digital copy in pdf format via Blackboard. 

Use of AI in this assessment

This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.

Submission guidelines

Submit to Blackboard

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Maximum extension length allows assessors to give timely feedback before subsequent tasks are due.

Sick / absent: If sick/absent, apply for an extension. Please see ECP section 5.3.

Language Analysis 2

  • Online
Mode
Written
Category
Paper/ Report/ Annotation
Weight
15%
Due date

8/11/2024 11:59 pm

Other conditions
Student specific.

See the conditions definitions

Learning outcomes
L01, L02, L03, L04

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. Students will complete a set of questions and provide a report communicating their analyses and interpretations. The topic will be based on key points of content in JAPN3209. When describing the linguistic phenomena, a specific reference to JAPN3209 course materials should be included in the response. 

 

Format: 

  • Write in plain style in written Japanese (i.e., da-tai format).
  • The reports must be clear, comprehensive, yet concise.
  • Type in the distributed template.
  • Submit a typed digital copy in pdf format via Blackboard. 


Use of AI in this assessment

This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.

Submission guidelines

Submit to Blackboard

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Maximum extension length allows assessors to give timely feedback before subsequent tasks are due.

Sick / absent: If sick/absent, apply for an extension. Please see ECP section 5.3.

In-class worksheets

  • In-person
Mode
Written
Category
Tutorial/ Problem Set
Weight
30%
Due date

Each worksheet is due two days after the session in which it is distributed, i.e. if the worksheet is distributed in Friday class, it is due on Sunday.

Other conditions
Student specific.

See the conditions definitions

Learning outcomes
L01, L02, L03, L04

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. 

There will be maximum 12 worksheets to submit throughout the semester and the best ten marks of the twelve worksheets will be included in the final result. 

Task should be completed in each tutorial class, but the worksheets will be taken home to be reviewed and checked before being submitted online. 


Use of AI in this assessment

This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.

Submission guidelines

Worksheets will be distributed in hard copy in class. Students are required to work on the worksheet in class as a part of class activities, and they take them home to review, edit and complete by the specified due date.

The worksheets will be also available in Blackboard in the assessment folder after class, for students to download and complete independently.

Students must handwrite the answers on worksheets in Japanese using pens, pencils, and erasers. Upon completion, they should scan the required pages in the portrait direction (e.g, using s Scanner app or scanner) and upload the scanned document in PDF format to the appropriate link in the “Worksheets” folder in the assessment section of Blackboard. Worksheets that are typed rather than handwritten do not meet the guidelines (see marking criteria on Blackboard). 

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Maximum extension length allows assessors to give timely feedback before subsequent tasks are due.

In-Class Written Exam

  • In-person
Mode
Written
Category
Examination, Quiz
Weight
40%
Due date

8/10/2024 4:00 pm

Other conditions
Time limited.

See the conditions definitions

Learning outcomes
L01, L02, L03, L04

Task description

The written exam assesses your understanding of the materials and contents covered from weeks 1-10. Questions are similar to the questions in Worksheets and activities covered in class. 

 Procedure

Format: Paper-and-pencil task

Time: Tuesday 8 October 2024 at 4:00 pm ~ (Week 11, during the regular contact class time)

Location: Regular contact classroom

Duration: 90 minutes plus a 10-minute reading time. 

Question types: Multiple-choice questions, short-answer, short essay 

 Preparations

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. 

Exam details

Planning time 10 minutes
Duration 90 minutes
Calculator options

No calculators permitted

Open/closed book Closed Book examination - no written materials permitted
Materials

Pencil and eraser

Exam platform Paper based
Invigilation

Invigilated in person

Submission guidelines

Deferral or extension

You may be able to defer this exam.

Sick / absent : If sick/absent, apply for an extension. Please see ECP section 5.3.

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.

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.

Other course materials

If we've listed something under further requirement, you'll need to provide your own.

Required

Item Description Further Requirement
「優しい日本語のしくみ」(改訂版)庵、日高 他 くろしお出版 "Yasashii Nihonngo no Shikumi" (revised edition), Iori, Hidaka, et.al. Pub.: Kuroshio shuppan 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.

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Learning period Activity type Topic
Multiple weeks

From Week 1 To Week 13

General contact hours

Contacts and Tutorials

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.

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04

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:

Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.