Outline

Overview

This unit aims to develop students' speaking, writing and reading skills for the intermediate level of Japanese, so that they are able to use Japanese in a variety of situations. Students will be expected to achieve the following linguistic skills: switch to appropriate speech style in formal and informal situations; express opinions and thoughts; write about 350 kanji and recognise at least 600 kanji. Writing and reading practice will consolidate grammatical, lexical and cultural knowledge.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Japanese Studies
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	JPNS2612 or HSC continuers 70 and above or HSC extension less than 75
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	HSC Japanese extension more than 70
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Yoko Yonezawa, yoko.yonezawa@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Mats Karlsson, mats.karlsson@sydney.edu.au
	Yoko Yonezawa, yoko.yonezawa@sydney.edu.au
	Nobu Akagi, nobuaki.akagi@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Participation	Class participation & preparation Be well-prepared for each class.	10%	Ongoing	Not applicable
Outcomes assessed:
Small test	In-semester revision test In-class test; closed-book; paper test; no materials allowed during the test	20%	Week 07 Due date: 07 Apr 2025 at 23:59	Equivalent to 1000 words
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Communication task Role play task; group work	20%	Week 12	Equivalent to 1000 words
Outcomes assessed:
Online task	Listening test Listening test on Lessons 1-5	5%	Week 12 Due date: 24 May 2025 at 23:59	Equivalent to 250 words
Outcomes assessed:
Small test	In-class final test Written test on Lessons 1-5; closed-book paper test; no materials allowed during the test	35%	Week 13 Due date: 26 May 2025 at 23:59	1750 words / 100 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Online task	Online quizzes Pre-lesson online quiz x 5; post-lesson online quiz x 5	10%	Weekly	Equivalent to 500 words (10 x 50 words)
Outcomes assessed:
= AI allowed ?

Assessment summary

Class participation
Make sure to prepare every week: read the material assigned, complete worksheets and online activities (including the pre-lesson online quizzes), and learn new vocabulary and kanji. Be ready to participate actively in class.
Online quizzes
Complete all online quizzes by the time assigned. Pre-lesson quizzes are for preparation and post-lesson quizzes are for your revision.

In-semester test
Prepare by revising material learnt in Lessons 1–3 of our textbook in addition, of course, to assumed knowledge on the basis of prerequisites for this unit.
You will be asked questions on:
- a modified version of one 'seen' reading passage (testing grammar);
- one 'unseen' reading passages (testing grammar and comprehension);
- writing and grammar, for example, writing/re-writing using correct grammar points; fill-in-the-blank style questions within an unseen passage; kanji questions.

Communication task
You will need to sign up to work with partners. You will work as a team to develop a role-play in preparation for your Communication presentation (i.e., speaking test).
You will be given a choice of topics, will select your topic as a team, and will work together.
Listening exam
You will listen to recorded conversations that you have not heard or seen before of a similar level of difficulty to the conversation and listening texts in Lessons 1-5 in our textbook. They will be on familiar themes from Lessons 1 to 5 and contain familiar grammar and vocabulary. All questions are multiple-choice. The test is online.
In-class final test
Prepare by revising material learnt in Lessons 1–5 of our textbook in addition, of course, to assumed knowledge on the basis of prerequisites for this unit.
You will be asked questions on:
- a modified version of one 'seen' reading passage (testing grammar);
- one or two 'unseen' reading passages (testing grammar and comprehension);
- writing and grammar, for example: writing/re-writing using correct grammar points; fill-in-the-blank style questions within an unseen passage; kanji questions.

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.

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.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

The Assessment Procedures 2011 provide that any written work submitted after the due date will be penalised by 5% of the maximum awardable mark for each calendar day after the due date. If the assessment is submitted more than ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded. Note that in the Intensive July iteration of this course, in some cases it may not be possible to accept late assignments. Please make sure to keep an open line of commutation with your tutor/coordinator.

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.

Learning support

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

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity	Learning outcomes
Weekly	Reading Lesson x 1; Communication Lesson x 1; Grammar Lesson x1	Tutorial (3 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Students are expected to attend all scheduled sessions and participate actively.
Pre-lesson quizzes are to be done before coming to class.
Post-lesson quizzes are for revision.

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

1. Textbook

Tobira: Gateway to Advanced Japanese (上級へのとびら): Learning through Content and Multimedia. Edited by Mayumi Oka. Kuroshio Publishers.

Learning outcomes

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.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

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

LO1. Acquire approx.180 new kanji (In addition, 350 kanji already learned at the beginner level are treated as assumed knowledge and students need to read and write them fluently)
LO2. Use available resources (including dictionaries and grammar guides) well enough to understand the basic meaning of non-specialised texts without relying on teacher support
LO3. Deepen and extend understanding and use of grammatical forms and expressions to intermediate level
LO4. Develop strategies for reading and understanding detailed and subtle meanings in non-specialised texts
LO5. Express yourself using contextually and culturally appropriate Japanese and understand others in context with an intermediate degree of proficiency
LO6. Be an independent learner who takes responsibility for your own learning
LO7. Work respectfully and effectively in teams and other collaborative contexts

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
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

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

Thanks to some helpful suggestions from the previous cohort, we made some changes to the organisation of the website this semester to ensure you know just what you are expected to do and when. Hope that's helpful!

Additional information

More information about this unit can be found on Canvas. Make sure to check the learning modules, announcements and other pages to be sure you know exactly what to do each day.

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.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

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

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

JPNS3611: Japanese 5

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

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

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

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links