Honours in Japanese Studies
Overview
‘Honours’ is an intensive year-long program of advanced study with research at its centre. The Honours year enables students to engage with the subject of their major in depth by undertaking research of their own, under the supervision of an expert in the their field. For some students, Honours is the culmination of their formal education while for other students, Honours is the first step on the path to careers as professional researchers and academics. Many staff in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences find Honours teaching the most rewarding part of their job.
Entry Requirements and Program Structure
Students need to have results at Credit (65%) level or better in eight Senior units of study (48 credit points) in Japanese if they wish to take Honours, as well as successful completion of ASNS 3690, Approaches to Research in Asian Studies. Among the 48 credit points, students may include one senior Japan-related Asian Studies unit of study. Acceptance into Honours in Japanese Studies requires approval of the Japanese Studies department.
Students whose bachelor's degree was undertaken at another university, or students who completed their bachelor's degrees at the University of Sydney more than two years ago should contact the Honours Coordinator to discuss whether the classes they have taken are equivalent to these prerequisites.
Assessment
Honours in Japanese Studies consists of a thesis of 15000-20000 words and 6000-8000 words of written work, or it’s equivalent, for each seminar. Each of the two seminars meets weekly for 2 hours, for one semester. The thesis is worth 60% of the final mark, and each seminar is worth 20%. While you will receive marks for all pieces of assessment, your academic transcripts will record only your final, overall Honours mark.
Seminars
The following seminars are on offer in 2011:
- Semester 1: Theory and Method in Asian Studies (Dr Olivier Ansart)
- Semester 2: Engaging Asia (Prof Michele Ford)
For more information, contact Dr Olivier Ansart, Honours coordinator.
Thesis
The honours thesis constitutes an original piece of research and writing in a field that is supervised by a member of staff. It amounts to 15000-20000 words of writing, and must demonstrate both a command of a wide range of secondary source material in Japanese, as well as a command of a particular disciplinary or interdisciplinary approach to the topic of the research.
Recent theses in the Department
- "Romanticising Shinsengumi in Contemporary Japan" Rosa Saes Byeol Lee
Thesis Supervision
In the first instance, students should contact the Honours Coordinator to discuss their preferred field of Honours study. The Chair of the Department will then be able to suggest the most appropriate member of staff within the department to supervise the Thesis. The list below, whilst not exhaustive, gives an idea of the areas of interest of staff from the Department.
- Dr Yasuko Claremont supervises in Modern Japanese poetry * Comparative literature * Australian literature.
- Assoc Prof Elise Tipton supervises in Modern Japanese history, including women’s history * Nationalism, and modernity.
- Dr Olivier Ansart supervises in Japanese history * Contemporary social and political issues in Japan * Japanese thought.
- Dr Lionel Babicz supervises in Modern Japanese history (including nationalism, colonialism, and militarism) * Japan-Korea relations * Japanese interactions with Asia * Modern Japanese thought.
- Dr Hiroko Cockerill supervises in Translation Studies * Comparative literature * Japanese literature * Japanese language.
- Dr Nerida Jarkey supervises in Semantic transitivity and aktionsart * Voice, tense, modality and aspect * Verb and clause linkage * Particles * personal pronouns * conversation analysis, discourse analysis, politeness, speech acts and gendered language * Endangered language in Okinawa.
- Dr Mats Karlsson supervises in Modern and contemporary Japanese fiction and literary theory * Japanese Cinema * Contemporary topics, especially with a cultural studies’ approach.
- Dr Chun-Fen Shao supervises in Japanese language * Migrants in Australia and Japan * Japanese economy, society and culture * Chinese economy, society and culture * Japan-China relationships.
- Dr Matthew Stavros supervises in Historical research related to modernity * Nationalism * Japanese interactions with the West.
- Dr Rebecca Suter supervises in Japanese literature * Japanese popular culture * Cross-cultural representations * Comparative Literature * Literary theory * Asian Cultural Studies * Postcolonial Studies * Translation Studies.
- Dr Seiko Yasumoto supervises in Language use in socio-cultural context * Media and Cultural Studies: Language and Culture * Language and Gender * Popular Culture in Japan and East Asia.
Enrolment
In the first instance you should discuss your intention to apply for Honours with the Honours Coordinator. Students will enrol in JPNS4011, 4012, 4013 and 4014. These, however, are merely generic or ‘shell’ units for your coursework component.
Enrolments are completed online. Go to the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Honours webpage for further information on Honours and on the online enrolment application procedure.
Contacts
The Honours Coordinator can answer any queries relating to the Honours program.