Unit outline_

JPNS2670: Introduction to Japanese Literature

Semester 1, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit of study aims at fostering socio-cultural understanding and appreciation of Japanese literature by reading short stories. Students are expected to develop reading skills while enjoying the contents and contexts of the stories they read. The comprehension of Japanese literary texts enables students to gain an insight into the writers' themes and expressions and is relevant to contemporary life. English translations will be used in conjunction with Japanese material. Students are expected to develop a critical appreciation of Japanese literature with its social backgrounds.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Japanese Studies
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
JPNS2612
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
JPNS3621 or JPNS3622 or JPNS3631 or JPNS3632
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Matthew Shores, matthew.shores@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Matthew Shores, matthew.shores@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2025
Type Description Weight Due Length
Supervised exam
? 
Final exam
Closed book exam with short and long answer questions
40% Formal exam period 1.5 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Presentation group assignment AI Allowed Class presentation
n/a
10% Multiple weeks 1000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO4
Small continuous assessment AI Allowed 5 online activities
n/a
10% Multiple weeks 1500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
Online task Early Feedback Task AI Allowed Early Feedback Task
Canvas Quiz on fundamental concepts; students must complete task to pass unit
0% Week 03
Due date: 14 Mar 2025 at 23:59
30 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO4
Supervised test
? 
Mid-semester test
Same format as the final exam
20% Week 08
Due date: 15 Apr 2025 at 09:00

Closing date: 15 Apr 2025
50 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Assignment AI Allowed Essay in Japanese
n/a
20% Week 11
Due date: 13 May 2025 at 23:59
1000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
group assignment = group assignment ?
AI allowed = AI allowed ?
early feedback task = early feedback task ?

Early feedback task

This unit includes an early feedback task, designed to give you feedback prior to the census date for this unit. Details are provided in the Canvas site and your result will be recorded in your Marks page. It is important that you actively engage with this task so that the University can support you to be successful in this unit.

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

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

As a general guide, a High distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a Distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades

For more information see guide to grades.

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

Except for supervised exams or in-semester tests, you may use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessments unless expressly prohibited by your unit coordinator. 

For exams and in-semester tests, the use of AI and automated writing tools is not allowed unless expressly permitted in the assessment instructions. 

The icons in the assessment table above indicate whether AI is allowed – whether full AI, or only some AI (the latter is referred to as “AI restricted”). If no icon is shown, AI use is not permitted at all for the task. Refer to Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks for this unit. 

Your final submission must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of automated writing tools or generative AI, and any material generated that you include in your final submission must be properly referenced. You may be required to submit generative AI inputs and outputs that you used during your assessment process, or drafts of your original work. Inappropriate use of generative AI is considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply. 

The Current Students website provides information on artificial intelligence in assessments. For help on how to correctly acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the  AI in Education Canvas site

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.

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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance and class requirements   

Attendance:

  • Students are expected to be in attendance at the correct time and place of any formal or informal examinations. Non-attendance on any grounds insufficient to claim special consideration will result in the forfeiture of marks associated with the assessment. Participation in a minimum number of assessment items may be included in the requirements specified for a unit of study.
  • Students are expected to attend a minimum of 90 per cent of timetabled activities for a unit of study, unless granted exemption by the Associate Dean or relevant delegated authority. The Associate Dean or relevant delegated authority may determine that a student fails a unit of study because of inadequate attendance. Alternatively, at their discretion, they may set additional assessment items when attendance is lower than 90 per cent.
  • The case of any formally enrolled student who is absent from 50% or more of classes, regardless of the reasons for the absence, will be automatically referred to the end-of-semester departmental examiners’ meeting for a determination as to whether the student should pass or fail the unit, or, if a pass is awarded, the level of penalty that should be applied.
  • In exceptional circumstances, for example where there are Work Health and Safety considerations or professional accreditation requirements, and with the approval of the relevant delegate, unit of study coordinators may set out additional attendance criteria in the unit of study outline.
  • Lecture recording: Students are expected to attend all class meetings. Recordings will not be provided by default. If students cannot attend due to extenuating circumstances, they should contact the coordinator as soon as possible. 
  • Preparation: 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

  • Required text: Marvin Marcus, Japanese Literature: From Murasaki to Murakami (Association for Asian Studies, 2015). Please obtain a hard or electronic copy before the semester starts.
  • Other readings: To be provided on Canvas.
  • Recommended material: Japanese and kanji dictionaries of your choice.

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. develop written and oral communication skills in Japanese
  • LO2. understand authentic Japanese literary texts with the help of dictionaries and glossaries
  • LO3. relate themes and concerns expressed in contemporary Japanese literature to their own knowledge and experience
  • LO4. broaden cross-cultural knowledge and develop intellectual capacities.

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.

The semester 1 2025 iteration of this unit will be taught similarly to the semester 2 2024 iteration, covering Japanese literature from ancient times to contemporary.

Disclaimer

Important: the University of Sydney regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

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