Japanese
Study Japanese as part of your Combined Honours degree. Explore Japanese culture and a combination of practical language study and communication skills.
About the programme
You will take a sociological and anthropological approach to understanding this East Asian culture. As a Combined Studies student you'll spend one third of your time on Japanese language study.
During
- Stage 1 you take introductory modules in Japanese. The emphasis here is on communication skills
- Stages 2 and 3 you'll build on your developing language skills. We also offer a choice of modules on Japanese culture and society that you could take.
All Combined Honours students studying a language, have the option to go abroad for an intercalating year between Stages 2 and 3. You'll spend your year in Japan, studying at a university with which we have links. This is an outstanding opportunity to practise language skills you'll have developed.
When you return for your final year in Stage 3, you could also write a dissertation on an approved topic relating to the culture of Japan, supervised by one of our members of staff.
Japanese is offered by the School of Modern Languages.
Find out about the regular themed socials, film nights, conversation clubs and even trips abroad with the Modern Languages Society and the Anglo-Japanese Society
Pre-requisites
Japanese can be studied as part of your Combined Honours degree from scratch, post-GCSE or post-A level (or equivalent) standards. For an introduction to Japanese read an Introduction to Japanese Language, Taster Session.
A maximum of two language subjects can be taken together, but only one of these can be at beginner's level.
It's not possible to study two language subjects on their own without a third non-language subject.
Chinese and Japanese cannot be taken together.
Stage 1
Students study either 40 or 60 credits from the list below in Stage 1.
You will follow select modules from Level A if you are a beginner. You will select modules from Level B if you have an A-Level in Japanese.
Select the module code for specific module information including the module summary and aims, knowledge and skills you'll gain, and the module leader.
Level A
Compulsory modules
| Module Code | Module Title | Credit Value | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| JPN1065 | Level A (HE Entry Level) Japanese I | 20 | 1 |
| JPN1066 | Level A (HE Entry Level) Japanese II (Pre-requisite JPN1065) | 20 | 2 |
Optional modules
| Module Code | Module Title | Credit Value | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| JPN1005 | Introduction to Japanese History and Culture | 20 | 1&2 |
Level B
Compulsory module
| Module Code | Module Title | Credit Value | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| JPN2013 | Level B (HE Intermediate) Japanese I (Pre-requisite: A-level (or equivalent) Japanese) | 20 | 1 |
| JPN2014 | Level B (HE Intermediate) Japanese II (Pre-requisite: JPN2013) | 20 | 2 |
Optional modules
| Module Code | Module Title | Credit Value | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| JPN1005 | Introduction to Japanese History and Culture | 20 | 1&2 |
All students taking at least one language, regardless of level, must take the following module:
| Module Code | Module Title | Credit Value | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| SML1099 | Academic Study and Research Skills | 0 | 1&2 |
Stage 2
Students study either 40, 60 or 80 credits from the list below in Stage 2.
You follow either Level B or Level C.
Select the module code for specific module information including the module summary and aims, knowledge and skills you'll gain, and the module leader.
Level B
Compulsory module
| Module Code | Module Title | Credit Value | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| JPN2013 | Level B (HE Intermediate) Japanese I (Pre-requisite: JPN1066) | 20 | 1 |
| JPN2014 | Level B (HE Intermediate) Japanese II (Pre-requisite: JPN2013) | 20 | 2 |
Optional modules
| Module Code | Module Title | Credit Value | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| JPN2004 | Contemporary Japanese Popular Culture | 20 | 1&2 |
| SML2011 | Cities in East Asian Cinema: History, Culture, Identity | 20 | 1 |
| SML2017* | Korean I (Pre-requisite: students must have achieved a minimum of 60% in JPN1066) | 20 | 1&2 |
*Students can only take ONE of GER2031: Dutch I or SML2017: Korean I.
Level C
Compulsory module
| Module Code | Module Title | Credit Value | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| JPN4013 | Level C (HE Advanced) Japanese I (Pre-requisite: JPN2014) | 20 | 1 |
| JPN4014 | Level C (HE Advanced) Japanese II (Pre-requisite: JPN4013) | 20 | 2 |
Optional modules
| Module Code | Module Title | Credit Value | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| JPN2004 | Contemporary Japanese Popular Culture | 20 | 1&2 |
| SML2011 | Cities in East Asian Cinema: History, Culture, Identity | 20 | 1 |
| SML2016** | Reading in Translation (Co-requisite: Students must be studying JPN2004 or SML2011 as well) | 20 | 1 |
| SML2017* | Korean I (Pre-requisite: Students must have achieved a minimum of 60% in JPN2010 in Stage 1) | 20 | 1&2 |
*Students can only take ONE of GER2031: Dutch I, SML2014: Italian Language and Culture I, SML2017: Korean I and SPA2021: Catalan I. These modules are for Stage 2 only.
**Students can only take ONE of SML2016: Reading in Translation and SML2017: Korean I.
All students must take the following module:
| Module Code | Module Title | Credit Value | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| SML2099 | Year Abroad Preparation | 0 | 1&2 |
Intercalating Year
All students taking a language have the option to spend one semester or an entire academic year abroad in a country where their chosen language is spoken between Stages 2 and 3; this shall be their Intercalating Year. While abroad they shall take the following modules:
Compulsory module:
| Module Code | Module Title | Credit Value | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| SML3004 | Year Abroad Tutor Posts | 100 | 1&2 |
| SML3006* | Study Abroad | 20 | 1&2 |
*All students spending at least one semester studying as part of their year abroad must take SML3006.
Stage 3
Students study either 40, 60 or 80 credits from the list below in Stage 3.
You will follow either Level C or Level D, depending on what Levels you studied in Stage 2.
Students who have transferred to the three year version of the programme and did not take part in the optional intercalating year can drop the language element of the degree and take solely cultural modules. Students who choose to undertake this option will graduate with “East Asian Studies” in their degree programme title rather than “Japanese”.
Select the module code for specific module information including the module summary and aims, knowledge and skills you'll gain, and the module leader.
Level C
Compulsory module
| Module Code | Module Title | Credit Value | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| JPN4013 | Level C (HE Advanced) Japanese I (Pre-requisite: JPN2014) | 20 | 1 |
| JPN4014 | Level C (HE Advanced) Japanese II (Pre-requisite: JPN4013) | 20 | 2 |
Optional modules
| Module Code | Module Title | Credit Value | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| JPN4002 | Contemporary Japanese Animation | 20 | 1 |
| JPN4006 | Literary and cultural expression in contemporary Japan | 20 | 2 |
| SML4007* | Korean II (Pre-requisite: SML2017 in Stage 2) | 20 | 1&2 |
| SML4008 | Memory and Storytelling Across Borders (Co-requisite: Students must be studying JPN4002 or JPN4006 as well) | 20 | 1 |
| SML4099 | Dissertation/T&I Project (Must be Japanese-based) | 20 | 1&2 |
| HSS3500*** | Combined Honours Final Year Project | 20 | 1&2 |
| HSS3099*** | Combined Honours Final Year Project | 40 | 1&2 |
*Students can only take ONE of GER4004: Dutch II, SML4004: Italian Language and Culture II, SML4007: Korean II and SPA4002: Catalan II.
***Undertake an in-depth, independent research project with flexibility to select a topic related to one or all your subject areas, and the option to deliver a written or creative output. Supervisors are assigned from the Combined Honours academic team, and you can choose which subject(s) you want the credits to go towards.
Level D
Compulsory module
| Module Code | Module Title | Credit Value | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| JPN4062 | Level D (Further Advanced) Japanese I (Pre-requisite: JPN4014) | 20 | 1 |
| JPN4063 | Level D (Further Advanced) Japanese II (Pre-requisite: JPN4062) | 20 | 2 |
Optional modules
| Module Code | Module Title | Credit Value | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| JPN4002 | Contemporary Japanese Animation | 20 | 1 |
| JPN4006 | Literary and cultural expression in contemporary Japan | 20 | 2 |
| SML4007* | Korean II (Pre-requisite: SML2017 in Stage 2) | 20 | 1&2 |
| SML4008** | Memory and Storytelling Across Borders (Co-requisite: Students must be studying JPN4002 or JPN4006 as well) | 20 | 1 |
| SML4099 | Dissertation/T&I Project (Must be Japanese-based) | 20 | 1&2 |
| HSS3500*** | Combined Honours Final Year Project | 20 | 1&2 |
| HSS3099*** | Combined Honours Final Year Project | 40 | 1&2 |
*Students can only take ONE of GER4004: Dutch II, SML4004: Italian Language and Culture II, SML4007: Korean II and SPA4002: Catalan II.
**Students can only take ONE of SML4007: Korean II and SML4008: Memory and Storytelling Across Borders.
***Undertake an in-depth, independent research project with flexibility to select a topic related to one or all your subject areas, and the option to deliver a written or creative output. Supervisors are assigned from the Combined Honours academic team, and you can choose which subject(s) you want the credits to go towards.
Get in touch
If you have any questions about choosing this subject as part of your Combined Honours degree, contact us and we'll be more than happy to help.
Subject adviser
Dr Patricia Oliart - School of Modern Languages
Professor Guy Austin - School of Modern Languages