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Unit outline_

JPNS3650: Japanese Language and Identity

Semester 2, 2020 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit will apply methods of linguistic analysis to explore a number of key language strategies used in Japanese to construct speakers' social identity, and their relationships both with people they are talking to (interlocutors) and people they are talking about (referents). Students will collect and analyse authentic data in a guided research project, and will use the results of that analysis in writing a critical response to the work of other scholars in the field.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Japanese Studies
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
JPNS2612 or 12 credit points at 2000 level in Japanese Studies
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
JPNS2671 or JPNS3621 or JPNS3622 or JPNS3631 or JPNS3632
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Nerida Jarkey, nerida.jarkey@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Nerida Jarkey, nerida.jarkey@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam (Open book) Type C final exam Exam
n/a
30% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6
Assignment Online quizzes
Online quizzes to help you prepare and revise
5% Multiple weeks Equivalent to 1000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO4
Participation Participation
Preparation and participation in class/online activities
5% Ongoing N/A
Outcomes assessed: LO5
Assignment Data analysis
Analysis of speech styles in a Japanese TV drama
30% Week 07
Due date: 14 Oct 2020 at 17:00

Closing date: 28 Oct 2020
1000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Assignment Critical response
Critical response to thesis proposed by a published scholar
30% Week 12
Due date: 18 Nov 2020 at 17:00

Closing date: 02 Dec 2020
2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Type C final exam = Type C final exam ?

Assessment summary

  • Class participation
    Make sure to prepare before your classes every week: read the material assigned, complete workbook and online activities, and learn new vocabulary and kanji (recognition only). Be ready to participate in class activities.
  • Online quizzes
    Complete all online quizzes and self-tests by Wednesday at 5:00pm before class in the week assigned. These tasks will help you prepare for classes and revise your learning.
  • Data analysis
    Work with classmates in a small group to analyse data from a Japanese TV drama, with a focus on marked and unmarked speech styles used. Present your analysis individually in written form, using evidence from your data to support your analysis.
  • Critical response
    On the basis of feedback on your data analysis and of your analysis of further data provided, write a critical response to a thesis proposed by a published scholar on the topic of speech styles in Japanese.
  • Final exam
    Respond to questions to demonstrate your:
    - understanding of a Japanese text on the topic of language systems that function to express identity and interpersonal relations
    - ability to apply terms and theories you have learnt to particular examples of language systems that function to express identity and interpersonal relations in Japanese (both familiar and unfamiliar examples), and justify this application
    - ability to analyse data provided using relevant terms and theories, and communicate your analysis clearly.
  • Detailed information for each assessment, along with grading criteria, can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Work that meets the learning outcomes of the unit to an exceptional standard

Distinction

75 - 84

Work that meets the learning outcomes of the unit to a very high standard

Credit

65 - 74

Work that meets the learning outcomes of the unit to a good standard

Pass

50 - 64

Work that meets the learning outcomes of the unit to an acceptable standard

Fail

0 - 49

Work that does not meet the learning outcomes of the unit to an acceptable standard

 

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 UoS introduction and research assignment introduction/overview Seminar (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Linguistic construction of social location and identity - Introduction Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Week 02 Key concepts and related technical terms; Social 'rules' of politeness Seminar (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Hata text 1: Sonkeigo Tutorial (1 hr) LO2 LO5
Week 03 Politeness, formality/solidarity, uchi/soto Seminar (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Hata text 2: Kenjoogo Type 1 Tutorial (1 hr) LO2 LO5
Week 04 Comparison of analyses Seminar (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5
Hata text 3: Kenjoogo Type 2 Tutorial (1 hr) LO2 LO5
Week 05 Research assignment introduction part I: data analysis Seminar (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6
Research assignment skills development Tutorial (1 hr) LO2 LO4 LO5
Week 06 Keigo review: Practice exam text Seminar (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Keigo review: Practice exam questions on course content Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Week 07 Terms of self-reference and address I Seminar (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Terms of self-reference and address I Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Week 08 Research assignment introduction part II: Critical response Seminar (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO6
Suzuki text 1: What do we call ourselves and our interlocutors? Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Week 09 Terms of self-reference and address II Seminar (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Suzuki text 1: Review; Suzuki text 2: What do we call ourselves? Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Week 10 Terms of self-reference and address III Seminar (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Suzuki text 3: What do we call our interlocutors? Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Week 11 Gyarugo: Construction of identity through language Seminar (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Gyarugo: Analysis of abbreviations Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5
Week 12 Linguistic construction of social identity and location - Conclusion Seminar (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO6
Exam review Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6

Attendance and class requirements

  • Students are expected to attend the Zoom seminar and tutorial every week and participate actively, with cameras turned on.
  • Students who have a timetable clash or who are unable to attend for more than one week must consult with the coordinator.
  • Students should commit to spend approximately three hours’ preparation time (reading, studying, homework, essays, etc.) for every hour of scheduled instruction.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library eReserve, available on Canvas.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. understand general theories and technical terms (in both Japanese and English) related to language systems that function to express identity and personal relationships
  • LO2. apply these theories and terms to particular examples of these systems in Japanese (both familiar and unfamiliar examples) and justify this application
  • LO3. collect and transcribe authentic Japanese language data related to these systems
  • LO4. analyse data using relevant terms and theories, and communicate analyses clearly, in an appropriate format
  • LO5. work collaboratively with classmates to expand data sets, and reflect on and refine each other’s data analyses
  • LO6. develop a critical response to the work of other scholars in the field on the basis of refined data analysis, and communicate your critical response clearly, in appropriate, academic English.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Comments from students in previous cohorts have highlighted the fact that they valued the organisation, clarity of learning outcomes, interactive classes and interesting content. Some students asked for a little more detail in the assignment guidelines, so I will make sure to provide that this semester. Other students said they would value additional focus on practical application. I think this is a really good suggestion, but am concerned that I may not be able to incorporate this without increasing the student workload too much.

More information about this unit can be found on Canvas.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.