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Course Outline

JPN212 About Japan: Current Perspectives

Course Coordinator:Maki Ramsey (mramsey@usc.edu.au) School:School of Business and Creative Industries

2026Trimester 2

UniSC Sunshine Coast

 Blended learning Most of your course is on campus but you may be able to do some components of this course online.

Please go to unisc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.

What is this course about?

Description

Get ready to dive into the fascinating nature of Japan! This course is for anyone interested in Japan's rich culture, language and history. Discover the depth and diversity of Japan, exploring its historical and political influences, and gaining insight into its social and cultural issues both domestically and internationally. Topics include Japan's evolving family and societal dynamics, language and culture, the reach of Japan's popular culture across the globe, its unique political institutions, and the intriguing worlds of the workplace and education.

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Blended learning
Learning materials – Interactive online learning activities. 1hr Week 1 12 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Scheduled face to face workshops. 2hrs Week 1 12 times

Course Topics

  • Japanese identity and social concepts 
  • Social problems (e.g., hikikomori)
  • Ageing society, syoshika (declining birth rate) (SDG 11)
  • Japanese business practices 
  • Family
  • Minorities (SDG 10)
  • Gender issues (SDG 5)
  • Pop culture, otaku  
  • Religion
  • Education
  • Culture


 

 

What level is this course?

200 Level (Developing)

Building on and expanding the scope of introductory knowledge and skills, developing breadth or depth and applying knowledge and skills in a new context. May require pre-requisites where discipline specific introductory knowledge or skills is necessary. Normally, undertaken in the second or third full-time year of an undergraduate programs.

What is the unit value of this course?

12 units

How does this course contribute to my learning?

Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... Graduate Qualities Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming...
1 Understand competing interpretations of contemporary Japanese society. Creative and critical thinker
2 Evaluate popular (mis)conceptions of Japanese society. Knowledgeable
3 Respect alternate views of Japanese society and culture. Creative and critical thinker
4 Communicate cross-cultural concepts with clarity and reason. Engaged

Am I eligible to enrol in this course?

Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.

Pre-requisites

Not applicable

Co-requisites

Not applicable

Anti-requisites

Not applicable

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

Not applicable

Microcredential Information

Not applicable

How am I going to be assessed?

Grading Scale

Standard Grading (GRD)

High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL).

Details of early feedback on progress

Early feedback will be provided through formative tasks in workshops.

Assessment tasks

Delivery mode Task No. Assessment Product Individual or Group Weighting % What is the duration / length? When should I submit? Where should I submit it?
All 1 Written Piece Individual 35% 
500 word reflections
 Refer to Format Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 2 Essay Individual 30% 
2000 words
 Week 12 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 3 Oral Individual and Group 35% 
10-15 mins
 Throughout teaching period (refer to Format) In Class
All - Assessment Task 1:Workshop Reflection
Goal: 
In 500 words you will reflect on what you have learned in the topics covered in course, with reference to intercultural differences you have observed and how your perspectives have changed.
Product: Written Piece
Authorship Statement:
Format: 
Submit weeks 6 and 10 via Canvas
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
​considered reflection on weekly topic
 1 2 3
2 
Research and opinion on the weekly questions
 1 3 4
3 
evidence of follow-up reading
4 
development of research proposals
5 
legible presentation​
 4
Generic Skills: 
Communication, Organisation, Information literacy
All - Assessment Task 2:Reflective Essay
Goal: 
In a reflective piece you will examine and analyse an aspect of the course in depth with reference to the wider academic literature.
Product: Essay
Authorship Statement:
Format: 
Electronic via Canvas
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Undertake substantive research on their chosen topic
 1
2 
Ability to use supporting evidence and resources appropriately
3 
Ability to present arguments in a clear and concise manner;
 1 3
4 
Ability to structure ideas clearly and logically
 4
5 
Demonstrate ability to synthesise the course’s key concepts with current issues in the contemporary study of Japan.
 2 3 4
Generic Skills: 
Communication, Organisation, Information literacy
All - Assessment Task 3:Workshop presentation, leading discussion, and participation
Goal: 
The purpose of this task is for you to be involved in the course contents with some depth. For the tutorial presentation, you will present key aspects of the topic and provide a critical review of the topic and an associate reading. It will form a work-in-progress of your essay.
Product: Oral
Authorship Statement:
Format: 
You are required to give a 8-10 minute presentation to their peers. Each presenter must then lead discussion and respond to questions from both the instructor and their peers. The date of these presentations will be negotiated with your workshop instructor.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Clear identification of the topic;
 1 2
2 
Ability to present clearly and convey key points;
 4
3 
Logical and coherent argument supported by academic evidence;
 1 3
4 
Effective use of aids such as images, PowerPoint, graphs or sound files;
 4
5 
Active involvement in the classroom discussion​​
 3
Generic Skills: 
Communication, Collaboration, Organisation

Directed study hours

A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.

What resources do I need to undertake this course?

Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.

Prescribed text(s) or course reader

There are no required/recommended resources for this course.

Specific requirements

Not applicable

How are risks managed in this course?

Health and safety risks for this course have been assessed as low. It is your responsibility to review course material, search online, discuss with lecturers and peers and understand the health and safety risks associated with your specific course of study and to familiarise yourself with the University’s general health and safety principles by reviewing the online induction training for students, and following the instructions of the University staff.

What administrative information is relevant to this course?

Assessment: Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation. It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline. This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.

Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person. You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.

In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin. This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.

Assessment: Additional Requirements

Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment

Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying:
(a) The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4%; and
(b) The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale

Assessment: Submission penalties

Late submissions may be penalised up to and including the following maximum percentage of the assessment task’s identified value, with weekdays and weekends included in the calculation of days late:
(a) One day: deduct 5%;
(b) Two days: deduct 10%;
(c) Three days: deduct 20%;
(d) Four days: deduct 40%;
(e) Five days: deduct 60%;
(f) Six days: deduct 80%;
(g) Seven days: A result of zero is awarded for the assessment task.

The following penalties will apply for a late submission for an online examination:
Less than 15 minutes: No penalty
From 15 minutes to 30 minutes: 20% penalty
More than 30 minutes: 100% penalty

Links to relevant University policy and procedures

For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:

  • Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
  • Review of Assessment and Final Grades
  • Supplementary Assessment
  • Central Examinations
  • Deferred Examinations
  • Student Conduct
  • Students with a Disability

For more information, visit https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching

Student Charter

UniSC is committed to excellence in teaching, research and engagement in an environment that is inclusive, inspiring, safe and respectful. The Student Charter sets out what students can expect from the University, and what in turn is expected of students, to achieve these outcomes.

General Enquiries

For course-specific questions, contact your teaching staff or Course Coordinator.  

For other enquiries or to access support, please contact Student Central: 

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