This course aims to develop and maintain an advanced competence in modern Japanese and a working knowledge of the issues currently confronting Japanese society. Course materials are taken from a variety of up-to-date authentic media, TV, film, podcasts, websites and print media. Focusing on listening, speech-making and presentation skills, students will progress from intermediate to advanced language skills—moving from the more controlled textbook learning environment to an engagement with ‘real’ materials

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Understand and analyse real-world Japanese news media to demonstrate knowledge of the major issues in present-day Japanese society.
2. Communicate confidently in writing and speaking, and in collaborative groups, on topics drawn from a variety of up-to-date authentic media, TV, film, podcasts, websites and print media.
3. Demonstrate appropriate listening, speech-making and presentation skills, to present academic arguments fluently and clearly.
4. Demonstrate the ability to compose academic essays on complex subjects.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• Written comments
• Verbal comments
• Feedback to the whole class, to groups, to individuals, focus groups

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Theme 1: Social Issues in Contemporary Japan	Prep Quiz 1 Tutorial Discussion Lead 1 & Resource Critique Tut Forum Posts
2	Theme 2: Environment and Lifestyles	Prep Quiz 2 Tutorial Discussion Lead 2 & Resource Critique Group Research Project Brainstorming Tut Forum Posts
3	Theme 2: Environment and Lifestyles	Prep Quiz 3 Tutorial Discussion Lead 3 & Resource Critique Group Research Project Part 1 Mini Presentations Tut Forum Posts
4	Theme 3: Pop Culture Representations of Social Issues	Prep Quiz 4 Tutorial Discussion Lead 4 & Resource Critique Group Research Project Part 1 Mini Presentations Tut Forum Posts
5	Theme 3: Pop Culture Representations of Social Issues	Prep Quiz 5 Tutorial Discussion Lead 5 & Resource Critique Group Research Project Part 1 Mini Presentations Tut Forum Posts
6	Theme 3: Pop Culture Representations of Social Issues	Prep Quiz 6 Tutorial Discussion Lead 6 & Resource Critique Tut Forum Posts Group Research Project Part 1 Due: 5 September (Sunday) Return: 17 September (Friday)
7	Theme 4: Inclusion and diversity in Japanese society	Prep Quiz 7 Tutorial Discussion Lead 7 & Resource Critique Group Project Process Forum Posts Tut Forum Posts
8	Theme 4: Inclusion and diversity in Japanese society	Prep Quiz 8 Tutorial Discussion Lead 8 & Resource Critique Tut Forum Posts Group Project Process Forum Posts
9	Theme 5: Pandemic Poetry - Tanka and Society Online exchange with Nara University students	Prep Quiz 9 Tutorial Discussion Lead 9 & Resource Critique Tut Forum Posts Group Project Process Forum Posts
10	Theme 5: Pandemic Poetry - Tanka and Society Online exchange with Nara University students	Prep Quiz 10 Tutorial Discussion Lead 10 & Resource Critique Tut Forum Posts Group Research Project Part 2 Due: 17 October (Sunday) Return: 23 October (Saturday)
11	Research Project Presentations - in Japanese	Research Report & Presentations? Research Project Reviews
12	MINI CONFERENCE (in English)	Chaired Academic Panels with themed paper presentations Group Research Project Part 3 Due: 25 October (Monday) Return: 5 November (Friday)

Tutorial Registration

See wattle for sign up

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Learning Outcomes
Online Preparation Quiz	20 %	1,2,3
Tutorial Discussion Lead (DL) and Resource Critique	20 %	1,2,3
Research Project	50 %	1,2,3,4
Participation	10 %	1,2,3

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website Students may choose not to submit assessment items through Turnitin. In this instance you will be required to submit, alongside the assessment item itself, hard copies of all references included in the assessment item.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Assessment Task 1

Online Preparation Quiz

Content:

The aim of this task is to encourage each student to develop their reading and writing skills and to engage critically with the weekly readings, summarise the arguments presented and provide an analysis of how the readings help when analysing the theme under discussion.

Requirements:

• prepare for the weekly topic, summarise weekly readings.
• present evaluation and opinions.
• Students need to complete each weekly online quiz before each seminar class.
• Due Sunday night (11:55 pm) prior to the Tuesday seminar.
• Only best 8 of 10 will count towards grade.

Assessment Task 2

Tutorial Discussion Lead (DL) and Resource Critique

Content: The aim of this assignment is to develop each student's presentation and critical thinking skills, by taking the lead in tutorial discussions for the given week.

It also aims to equip students with the skills to access appropriate research material and think critically about the readings.

Requirements:

• Lead tutorial discussion
• Review class materials for the week and present critique to tutorial
• Present one further relevant article and lead a class discussion - to be posted on tutorial forum with dot point commentary
• Submit 1000 ji (approximately 500 Eng words) DL Review
• Due Tuesday night (11:55 pm) prior to the relevant Thursday tutorial
• Each student must complete two DL sessions during the semester, one in Weeks 1-6 and one in Weeks 1-7

Assessment Task 3

Research Project

Content: The overall aim of this research project is to explore an issue confronting contemporary Japan. Students will develop a research question, carry out a critical literature review, and explore how to structure, present and write a research paper in Japanese. Finally, students will work to transfer their Japanese project content into an academic English research paper.

Requirements:

·    Part 1: Research Group Project Abstract - 1000 ji (Topic, Aims, Context, Methods & Indicative Resources)(10%) - Due 5 September

·    Part 2: Group Presentation & Report (20%) - 2000 ji Due 17 October

·    Part 3: Mini-Conference Presentation & Individual Paper (20%) - in English - Due 25 October

Assessment Task 4

Participation

Content: Participation is an important part of the course and active engagement both in class and on the course-forum will be recorded. It is hard to participate if you do not attend class. Students with a legitimate clash must submit a clash form to that effect within the first weeks of class.

Requirements:

• Preparation of required materials prior to class
• Active class participation
• Active engagement on tutorial forum - including peer review posts
• Active engagement in tutorial discussion

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of our culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically. This means that all members of the community commit to honest and responsible scholarly practice and to upholding these values with respect and fairness. The Australian National University commits to embedding the values of academic integrity in our teaching and learning. We ensure that all members of our community understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with. The University has policies and procedures in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Visit the following Academic honesty & plagiarism website for more information about academic integrity and what the ANU considers academic misconduct. The ANU offers a number of services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. The Academic Skills and Learning Centre offers a number of workshops and seminars that you may find useful for your studies.

Online Submission

The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

No submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date will be permitted. If an assessment task is not submitted by the due date, a mark of 0 will be awarded.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure The Course Convener may grant extensions for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information. In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service — including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy. If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes. Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students