100-level

JAPA108
Introduction to Japanese Culture
Description
A survey course which covers selected topics of Japan's society, geography, institutions, religion, arts, culture and thought.
Occurrences
Semester One 2025
Points
15 points
JAPA125
Elementary Japanese A
Description
This course is designed for students with little or no previous knowledge of the Japanese language. Teaching will focus on the four basic language skills of reading, writing, speaking and listening. At the end of the course, students should be able to read and write the kana scripts, know a range of Japanese vocabulary, and understand and actively use some elements of basic modern grammar. They will be able to conduct simple conversations in Japanese and will be familiar with key cultural aspects.
Occurrences
Semester One 2025
Points
15 points
Restrictions
JAPA141, JAPA115, JAPA127
JAPA126
Elementary Japanese B
Description
This course follows on from JAPA 125 or JAPA 127, and is the entry point for students with NCEA level 2 Japanese or equivalent. Teaching will focus on the four basic language skills of reading, writing, speaking and listening. At the end of the course, students should be able to understand and actively use a wide range of basic modern Japanese grammar and vocabulary, and approximately 120 kanji characters and be familiar with a range of key cultural aspects.
Occurrences
Semester Two 2025
Points
30 points
Prerequisites
JAPA125, or NCEA Level 2 Japanese with at least 12 credits, or placement test.
Restrictions
JAPA142, JAPA115, JAPA116

200-level

JAPA212
Japanese Society and Culture in Film and Literature
Description
This course covers outstanding examples of modern (post 1867) and contemporary literature and film, including animated movies. Works covered have been selected both for their artistic merit and for their culturally interesting subject matter. Themes include the conflict between traditional and western values, colonialism and ethnic minorities such as Okinawa, the effects of the Second World War and the atomic bombings, post-war economic growth and its effect on people’s lives, the 1960s-70s student movement, and contemporary postmodern consumer society. The aims of the course are twofold: (a) to provide some basic skills in ‘reading’ modern Japanese literature and film and (b) to promote an understanding of Japanese society and its people. No knowledge of Japanese language is required.
Occurrences
Semester Two 2025
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
JAPA108, or any 60 points at 100 level from the Schedule V of the BA.
JAPA214
Intermediate Japanese A
Description
This course builds upon the 100-level elementary language courses. By the end of the course students will have acquired a preliminary knowledge of intermediate level Japanese grammar and will also have learned approximately 200 kanji and approximately 1200 words and phrases.
Occurrences
Semester One 2025
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
JAPA126, or NCEA Level 3 Japanese with at least 12 credits, or placement test. RP: Students should be able to read and write all of the katakana and hiragana script as well as at least 150 kanji and have knowledge of basic Japanese grammar and approximately 800 words and phrases.
Restrictions
JAPA151, JAPA152, JAPA153, JAPA154, JAPA105, JAPA201, JAPA215
JAPA215
Intermediate Japanese
Description
This course builds upon the 100-level elementary language courses. By the end of the course students will have acquired a knowledge of intermediate level Japanese grammar and will also have learned approximately 400 kanji and approximately 2500 words and phrases.
Occurrences
Whole Year 2025
Points
45 points
Prerequisites
JAPA126, or NCEA Level 3 Japanese with at least 12 credits, or placement test. RP: Students should be able to read and write all of the katakana and hiragana script as well as at least 150 kanji and have knowledge of basic Japanese grammar and approximately 800 words and phrases.
Restrictions
JAPA151, JAPA152, JAPA153, JAPA154, JAPA105, JAPA201
JAPA216
Intermediate Japanese B
Description
JAPA216 is a second semester Japanese language course that is designed for students who know approximately 200 kanji and 1200 words and phrases. Direct entry is by placement test and discussion with the Programme Director. The course builds on all four language learning areas - reading, writing, speaking and listening. By the end of the course an additional 100 kanji and 500 words and phrases will have been mastered.
Occurrences
Semester Two 2025
Points
30 points
Prerequisites
Placement test or discussion with Programme Director.
Restrictions
JAPA153, JAPA154 and JAPA215.

300-level

JAPA317
Advanced Japanese Language A
Description
The purpose of this course is to prepare students to, on the one hand, conduct research using Japanese materials and, on the other hand, for the work environment through practical training in writing, communicating and giving spoken presentations in Japanese. In addition, the course aims to provide some 'authentic,' real-life experience in using Japanese, and to build community links, through engagement with the Japanese Community/Community of Practice and Learning Community. Students will be given the opportunity to further develop their communicative competence and a variety of other skills through project work. JAPA 317 will build upon the prerequisite courses, JAPA 326 Advancing Japanese B and JAPA305 Japanese Language 3.
Occurrences
Semester One 2025
Points
30 points
Prerequisites
Subject to approval of the Programme Head.
Restrictions
JAPA414
JAPA318
Advanced Japanese Language B
Description
The purpose of this course is to prepare students to, on the one hand, conduct research using Japanese materials and, on the other hand, for the work environment through practical training in writing, communicating and giving oral presentations in Japanese. In addition, the course aims to provide some 'authentic,' real-life experience in using Japanese, and to build community links, through engagement with the Japanese Community/Community of Practice and Learning Community. Students will be given the opportunity to further develop their communicative competence and a variety of other skills through project work and field trips. JAPA 318 will build upon the prerequisite course, JAPA 317 Advancing Japanese A.
Occurrences
Semester Two 2025
Points
30 points
Prerequisites
JAPA317 or equivalent subject to approval of the Programme Head.
Restrictions
JAPA415
JAPA325
Advancing Japanese A
Description
This course builds upon JAPA 215. Teaching will focus on the four basic language skills of reading, writing, speaking and listening. By the end of the course students will have acquired a knowledge of upper intermediate / advanced level Japanese and be familiar with complex socio-cultural issues in modern Japan. As well as text-based learning, there will be a focus on task and project-based learning, which will equip students better to apply their language abilities in the workforce or in postgraduate-level learning.
Occurrences
Semester One 2025
Points
30 points
Prerequisites
JAPA215 or JAPA216, or placement test.
Restrictions
JAPA205, JAPA305, JAPA315, JAPA319
JAPA326
Advancing Japanese B
Description
This course builds upon JAPA 325. Teaching will focus on the four basic language skills of reading, writing, speaking and listening. By the end of the course students will have acquired advanced Japanese language ability and be familiar with complex socio-cultural issues in modern Japan. As well as text-based learning, there will be a focus on task and project-based learning, which will equip students better to apply their language abilities in the workforce or in postgraduate-level learning.
Occurrences
Semester Two 2025
Points
30 points
Prerequisites
JAPA325, or placement test.
Restrictions
JAPA305, JAPA315
JAPA395
Japanese Professional and Community Engagement
Description
This is a professional and community engagement course designed specifically for students specializing in Japanese. The course provides an opportunity for the practical application of students’ Japanese skills and theoretical and research issues in an authentic Japanese business or community environment with faculty supervision, guidance, and evaluation.
Occurrences
Semester One 2025
Semester Two 2025
Points
30 points
Prerequisites
JAPA325 or equivalent; and permission of the Head of Department.
Restrictions
JAPA495

Not Offered Courses in 2025

100-level

JAPA113
Introduction to Japanese Literature and Related Arts
Description
This course will develop students' understanding of various aspects of Japanese literary, aesthetic and cultural traditions, including the mythologies and chronicles of residual oral tradition; the development of poetry; heroic military narratives and zuihitsu essays; the development of kabuki and bunraku puppetry; and the development of the novel from the eleventh century to modern times. No previous knowledge of Japanese language is required.
Occurrences
Not offered 2025, offered in 2011 , 2012
For further information see JAPA113 course details
Points
15 points
JAPA127
Elementary Japanese
Description
This summer school course is designed for students with little or no previous knowledge of the Japanese language. Teaching will focus on the four basic language skills of reading, writing, speaking and listening. At the end of the course, students should be able to read and write the kana scripts, know a range of Japanese vocabulary, and understand and actively use some elements of basic modern grammar. They will be able to conduct simple conversations in Japanese and will be familiar with key cultural aspects.
Occurrences
Not offered 2025, offered in 2016 , 2017
For further information see JAPA127 course details
Points
15 points

200-level

JAPA208
Japanese Society
Description
This course will develop students' understanding of various aspects of Japanese society, including the evolution of mainstream and minorities, gender relations, socialisation, inter-generational relations, predominant family structures, and the individual/group dichotomy. No previous knowledge of Japanese language is required.
Occurrences
Not offered 2025, offered in 2011 , 2012 , 2013 , 2014
For further information see JAPA208 course details
Points
15 points

300-level

JAPA307
Extension Japanese
Description
This course aims to extend students' understanding of Japanese language beyond that which is normally achieved by completing JAPA325 and JAPA326 alone. Proficiency in the use of language appropriate to a variety of situations and materials, such as understanding media material, is enhanced in a way that will be of practical value in their future careers.
Occurrences
Not offered 2025
For further information see JAPA307 course details
Points
30 points