Japanese, Intermediate Course I

The course is a freestanding advanced course and constitutes 30 credits in a Bachelor's degree. As a continuation course, JP1300 Japanese, Advanced course II (30 credits), is given.

To be admitted to the course, students must have at least 24 credits from JP1100 (Japanese, introductory course) or the equivalent knowledge, or at least 11 credits from JP1101 and at least 11 credits from JP1102.

The course consists of the following nine modules with the following components:

Module 1: Grammar, 3 Higher Education Credits
The module deals with grammatical categories and grammatical analysis of linguistic structures in Japanese.

Module 2: Text course I, 4 Higher Education Credits
The module is the starting point of further structural studies of the Japanese language based on a selection of texts.

Module 3: Writing System I, 3 Higher Education Credits
The module deals with and practices another approximately 130 kanji and their use.

Module 4: Practical language proficiency, 6 Higher Education Credits
The module further practices listening comprehension and conversation.

Module 5: Reading comprehension, 3 Higher Education Credits
The module deals with the reading of authentic (not simplified) Japanese texts.

Module 6: Text course II, 4 Higher Education Credits
The module is the starting point of advanced structural studies of the Japanese language based on a selection of texts.

Module 7: Writing System II, 3 Higher Education Credits
The module deals with and practices another approximately approximately 130 kanji and their use

Module 8: Language and society in Japan, 4 Higher Education Credits
The module deals with topics such as linguistic politeness, language and culture, language and gender, and role language.

On successful completion of the course the student will be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

• give an account of the main features of Japanese grammar;
• give an account of linguistic structures in Japanese through grammatical analysis 
• understand utterances and vocabulary in familiar fields and distinguish the essential information in short, simple and clear messages;
• read and write a total of around 450 kanji;
• be able to give an account of different levels of politeness and other stylistic and sociolinguistic aspects of the language;

Competence and skills

• translate short sentences from Japanese;
• communicate in simple and routine situations where direct exchange of information is required about familiar topics of conversation and activities, and at a basic level be able to exchange polite phrases and talk about everyday things both orally and in writing;
• with a number of simple phrases and sentences in a simple way describe, for example, his/her family and other people, the living conditions of people, his/her education and his/her current and previous jobs both orally and in writing;
• read simple authentic Japanese texts;
• produce short, simple sentences by using appropriate hiragana, katakana and approximately 450 kanji characters;

Judgement and approach

• discuss critically and independently the importance of knowledge of the Japanese language for an understanding of Japanese society

The teaching is conducted in the form of lectures, lessons and seminars. This is an on campus course. Some parts may be given online.

Language of instruction: Swedish and Japanese

All modules are assessed through written examination. In modules 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7 written assignments are also included, in module 4 listening comprehension tests, and in module 8 an oral presentation.

A student who has failed a course item is eligible for a retake exam/assignment. In connection with written assignments, supplementary assignments may be offered in order for the student to achieve a Pass grade. Such a supplementary assignment should be done within the stipulated time (normally five working days after the result has been posted). Otherwise a Fail grade will be reported.

A student who has completed an exam/assignment with a passing grade is not eligible for a retake for the purpose of receiving a higher grade. Nor may a student withdraw a test/assignment once it has been submitted for the purpose of avoiding receiving a grade for the work.

If a student, who has been failed twice on the same course component being examined, wishes to change examiner before the next examination, a written application shall be sent to the department responsible for the course, and shall be granted, unless there are special reasons to the contrary (Chapter 6, Section 22, Higher Education Ordinance).

If a student has received a recommendation from the University of Gothenburg regarding study support for students with disabilities, the examiner may decide, in the case where this is compatible with the learning outcomes for the course, and provided no unreasonable resources are required, to give the student an adjusted examination or an alternative form of examination.

In case the course has been discontinued or undergone any larger changes the student is guaranteed access to at least three additional examination sessions (including regular examination sessions) within the time of at least one year. The same applies to placements and professional placements (VFU), although this is restricted to just one additional examination session.

The grading scale comprises: Pass with Distinction (VG), Pass (G) and Fail (U). For a student to be awarded the grade Pass with distinction on the whole course, he/she must have been awarded Pass with distinction on at least 15 of the 30 credits. At least two of the modules 5, 6 and 7 must be included in the 15 credits.

The results of and possible changes to the course will be shared with tudents who participated in the evaluation and students who are starting the course.

Equality aspects should be taken into consideration in content, literature, teaching and evaluation.