Japanese Studies (with Year Abroad) - BA (Hons)

Durham University

Immerse yourself in Japanese language and culture. Develop your Japanese language skills and spend a year in Japan.,This multidisciplinary degree will develop advanced knowledge and the understanding of Japanese language and culture. You will study a core language module in each of your three years. You don’t need to have any previous knowledge of Japanese, but a pathway is available if you already have an A level or equivalent qualification in Japanese. You will spend your third year studying the Japanese language at a university in Japan. This is an amazing opportunity to experience Japanese culture first-hand and to put your language skills into practice and context. You can also apply to add a placement year to your degree, increasing the course from four years to five. In your final year, you will bring together all your learning and experience to write a dissertation on an aspect of Japanese studies. Read more about our teaching and the year abroad, and hear from our students here You will study a core language module in each of your three years. You will also have the chance to choose from a selection of other modules relevant to the study of Japan from other departments. This includes Anthropology, Education, Government and International Affairs, Economics, and Theology and Religious Studies. In addition, you may choose to take additional language modules, including European languages, Chinese and Korean.Course structureYear 1 modulesCore modules:Japanese Language 1A (for post-A level entrants). This module will consolidate and extend your grammatical knowledge, to enhance your communication skills in written and oral Japanese.Japanese Language 1B which will provide an introduction to all aspects of the Japanese language. You will get a thorough grounding in the major grammatical features of Modern Japanese, build up your vocabulary and develop skills in reading, writing, listening and speaking.Introduction to Japanese Culture: From Antiquity to the Present will introduce you to the cultural history of Japan and its philosophy, art and literature. It will help foster a consciousness of Japan's role in and experience of globalisation over the long term. You will also learn about critical concepts and methodologies for the analysis of textual and visual artefacts.Imagining East Asia in the Modern World covers cultural, social and political history of modern East Asia and the lives and experiences of different people living in and migrating to and from East Asia during the past five centuries.Optional modules:In recent years, optional modules have included: People and CulturesIntroduction to Chinese CultureFrench LanguageGerman LanguageItalian LanguageRussian LanguageInternational Security, Interdependence and OrganisationGlobal Regions in International RelationsSpanish LanguageWorldview, Faith and IdentityGallery 101: Designing an Art Exhibition Year 2 modulesCore modules:Japanese Language 2A. This module will further your knowledge of the Japanese language, including grammar and lexis. It will enhance your communicative proficiency in Japanese, in both writing and oral presentation and interaction, and further develop your listening and reading skills. You will also broaden your knowledge of traditional and contemporary Japan, and develop your intercultural awareness.Japanese Language 2B. This module will further develop your linguistic skills across the full range of reading, writing, listening and speaking. It will also prepare you for living abroad in terms of language, practical knowledge and cultural competence.