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Course Outline

JPN300 In-country Japanese Studies A

Course Coordinator:Levi Durbidge (ldurbidge@usc.edu.au) School:School of Business and Creative Industries

2024Semester 1

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 usc.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

This course provides a semester of intensive in-country study at a partner Japanese university. It allows students of Japanese to continue their formal instruction and provides first-hand experience in the speech communities and the cultures of Japan. The delivery of study, class contact time and beginning week of study are determined by the  agreement with the host institution. Course benefits include the development of greater fluency in the language, a deeper understanding of Japanese society and culture, and improved intercultural competence and communication skills.

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Blended learning
Independent Study/Research – The delivery of study, class contact time and the beginning week of study are determined by the conditions of the agreement with the host institution. 150hrs Not applicable Once Only

Course Topics

Determined by course selections at host institution.

What level is this course?

300 Level (Graduate)

Demonstrating coherence and breadth or depth of knowledge and skills. Independent application of knowledge and skills in unfamiliar contexts. Meeting professional requirements and AQF descriptors for the degree. May require pre-requisites where discipline specific introductory or developing knowledge or skills is necessary. Normally undertaken in the third or fourth full-time study year of an undergraduate program.

What is the unit value of this course?

48 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 Critically analyse, interpret, reflect upon and use spoken and written language, in Japanese and English, to communicate and act in interculturally competent ways in a variety of contexts. Creative and critical thinker
2 Apply language learning and communication strategies to communicate and act in interculturally competent ways in a variety of contexts. Empowered
3 Use the Japanese language to interact with other Japanese speakers from diverse social backgrounds in a culturally appropriate manner. Engaged
4 Use critical awareness of the positioning of their own cultural identity and background to | value diversity and demonstrate courtesy and respect for others; employ culturally appropriate ethical, professional and personal practices; and act ethically in in carrying out social and moral responsibilities within and across cultures. Ethical
5 Draw upon a knowledge base of the Japanese language and culture to express themselves, both verbally and in writing, in modern Japanese in a variety of everyday settings. Knowledgeable

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

JPN210 and 2 other UniSC Japanese language courses.

Co-requisites

Not applicable

Anti-requisites

JPN200

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

It is assumed that participants will have the ability to read and write in hiragana, katakana and widely-recognised. You should be able to hold simple conversations in Japanese, write messages and be able to make requests and suggestions. You should have an understanding of the main verb conjugations (plain, past, ます、て、ない）and a basic ability to adapt your speech to informal and formal situations.

How am I going to be assessed?

Grading Scale

Limited Grading (PNP)

Pass (PU), Fail (UF). All assessment tasks are required to be passed for successful completion of the course.

Details of early feedback on progress

We will keep in touch with you and your host institution throughout your time in Japan. We also request the host institution to inform us of any issues that arise.

Assessment tasks

Delivery mode Task No. Assessment Product Individual or Group What is the duration / length? When should I submit? Where should I submit it?
All 1 Activity Participation Individual 
Duration of course
 Throughout teaching period (refer to Format) To Supervisor
All 2 Journal Individual 
3000 words
 Refer to Format To Supervisor
All 3 Code of Conduct Individual 
Duration of course
 Throughout teaching period (refer to Format) To Supervisor
All - Assessment Task 1:Activity participation
Goal: 
The goal is to work towards achieving the learning outcomes of this course by participating in the course of study recommended to you by your host institution.
Product: Activity Participation
Format: 
You will attend and complete your chosen related course or courses as arranged with your host institution to a pass level. These courses should include the designated Japanese language courses as well as other course(s) delivered in English at the host university.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
This is an ungraded task where a pass in the host university course will translate to a pass for this assignment.
 1 2 3 4
2 
This task must be passed to pass the course.
 1 2 3 4
All - Assessment Task 2:Written piece
Goal: 
This task requires you to critically reflect on your in-country language and cultural learning experience. You will use a journal format (electronic or hard copy), making weekly entries of about 150 words to record and reflect upon your learnings and experiences throughout your stay in Japan. After your return to UniSC, you are required to add a final journal entry of 1000 words, reflecting upon how and why your linguistic and cultural knowledge has developed, expanded and/or changed through your experiences in Japan.
Product: Journal
Format: 
Submit: Upon return from Japan. 

You can choose to keep either a hardcopy or electronic reflective journal. Entries can be either in English or Japanese, but typically some combination of both.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Demonstration of linguistic and cultural competence.
 1 2 3
2 
Reflexivity in relating personal experience to academic analyses of Japanese society and culture.
 1 2 4
3 
Coherence of written explanations and reflections.
 1 2 3
All - Assessment Task 3:Code of Conduct
Goal: 
This task requires you to use critical awareness of your own cultural identity and background to interact with others during your in-country experience in ways which: value diversity and demonstrate courtesy and respect for others; employ culturally appropriate ethical, professional and personal practices; addresses the social and moral responsibilities required by UniSC, the Japanese institution and the wider Japanese society.
Product: Code of Conduct
Format: 
To be eligible to pass, you are required to demonstrate behaviours which fulfil the criteria below.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Adherence to the discipline code of conduct (available on Canvas).
 1 2 3 4 5
2 
Completion of the required minimum 10 hours per week of learning.
 1 2 3 4 5

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

Preparation for overseas travel is the student's responsibility although assistance will be offered by the course coordinator if required. It is highly recommended that all students register with the Australian government's Smart Traveller website for health and security advice - http://www.smarttraveller.gov.au.

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

This course will be graded as Pass in a Limited Grade Course (PU) or Fail in a Limited Grade Course (UF) as per clause 4.1.3 and 4.1.4 of the Grades and Grade Point Average (GPA) - Institutional Operating Policy of UniSC.

In a course eligible to use Limited Grades, all assessment items in that course are marked on a Pass/Fail basis and all assessment tasks are required to be passed for a student to successfully complete the course. Supplementary assessment is not available in courses using Limited Grades.

Assessment: Submission penalties

Late submission of assessment tasks may be penalised at the following maximum rate: 
- 5% (of the assessment task's identified value) per day for the first two days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. 
- 10% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the third day - 20% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the fourth day and subsequent days up to and including seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. 
- A result of zero is awarded for an assessment task submitted after seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. Weekdays and weekends are included in the calculation of days late. To request an extension you must contact your course coordinator to negotiate an outcome.

SafeUniSC

UniSC is committed to a culture of respect and providing a safe and supportive environment for all members of our community. For immediate assistance on campus contact SafeUniSC by phone: 07 5430 1168 or using the SafeZone app. For general enquires contact the SafeUniSC team by phone 07 5456 3864 or email safe@usc.edu.au.

The SafeUniSC Specialist Service is a Student Wellbeing service that provides free and confidential support to students who may have experienced or observed behaviour that could cause fear, offence or trauma. To contact the service call 07 5430 1226 or email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au.

Study help

For help with course-specific advice, for example what information to include in your assessment, you should first contact your tutor, then your course coordinator, if needed.

If you require additional assistance, the Learning Advisers are trained professionals who are ready to help you develop a wide range of academic skills. Visit the Learning Advisers web page for more information, or contact Student Central for further assistance: +61 7 5430 2890 or studentcentral@usc.edu.au.

Wellbeing Services

Student Wellbeing provide free and confidential counselling on a wide range of personal, academic, social and psychological matters, to foster positive mental health and wellbeing for your academic success.

To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 1226.

AccessAbility Services

Ability Advisers ensure equal access to all aspects of university life. If your studies are affected by a disability, learning disorder mental health issue, injury or illness, or you are a primary carer for someone with a disability or who is considered frail and aged, AccessAbility Services can provide access to appropriate reasonable adjustments and practical advice about the support and facilities available to you throughout the University.

To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email AccessAbility@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 2890.

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

  • In person:
    • UniSC Sunshine Coast - Student Central, Ground Floor, Building C, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs
    • UniSC Moreton Bay - Service Centre, Ground Floor, Foundation Building, Gympie Road, Petrie
    • UniSC SouthBank - Student Central, Building A4 (SW1), 52 Merivale Street, South Brisbane
    • UniSC Gympie - Student Central, 71 Cartwright Road, Gympie
    • UniSC Fraser Coast - Student Central, Student Central, Building A, 161 Old Maryborough Rd, Hervey Bay
    • UniSC Caboolture - Student Central, Level 1 Building J, Cnr Manley and Tallon Street, Caboolture
  • Tel:+61 7 5430 2890
  • Email:studentcentral@usc.edu.au
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