Building on the first-year module Japan in Context, this module will introduce students to the theoretically reflected and methodologically guided study of history, society and cultural production from a national and transnational perspective.

Over the two semesters, students will engage with concepts, theories and approaches that are central to Japanese Studies and disciplines related to the study of Modern Languages.

Teaching is divided into four themed blocks in which students will be introduced to and encouraged to challenge concepts of Culture and Representation, Identity, Power, and Memory. Each block will be introduced by school-wide lectures before students split into their specific languages for more in-depth study in the national context.

Some blocks may then take a more historical approach, others will emphasise critical analysis of different genres of cultural production.

Weekly learning activities will be structured around selected materials designed to allow close study and discussion of the topics explored leading students to a theoretically and methodologically informed understanding of Japanese history, society and culture.

Lectures and seminars will be used to develop and expand knowledge and relevant skills in a wide range of topics relevant to Japanese Studies.

1. Define a range of key concepts relevant to the study of Japanese culture, history, and society within a transnational context;
2. Select and analyse key text based and visual course materials;
3. Analyse how the cultural artefacts/texts studied relate to one another and to their context of production;
4. Defend, both orally and in writing, a theoretically reflected position on the topics and materials studied;
5. Build a coherent, evidence-based argument drawing on relevant secondary literature.

The module will be delivered through a range of interactive teaching sessions supplemented by online teaching and learning activities and materials – and may include, where relevant, asynchronous materials such as lecture recordings. Full details on the delivery mode of this module will be available on Learning Central at the start of the academic year – and may be, in part, determined by Welsh Government and Public Health Wales guidance.  

Students will be expected to engage in substantial independent study outside the classroom. They will be guided in this respect by the learning materials provided and related reading lists.

• Close reading;
• Critical thinking;
• Basic research skills;
• Organisational skills;
• Study skills;
• Writing skills;
• Word-processing skills;
• Presentation skills;
• Self-awareness.

The method(s) of assessing the learning outcomes for this module are set out in the Assessment Table, which also contains the weightings of each assessment component.

THE OPPORTUNITY FOR RE-ASSESSMENT

You may be required to resit one or more of the assessments in this module if you fail the module. The Examination Board will advise you which assessments you need to resit during the August resit period. Resit assessments that are not supported by extenuating circumstances will be capped at the pass mark applicable to your programme.

MAPPING OF ASSESSMENTS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES

Quizzes assess ILO 1

Essay, interview and presentation assess ILO 1,2,3,4,5

At the school wide, transnational level, students will explore the following topics:

• Culture
• Representation
• Identity
• Mainstream and Marginalised
• Power
• Resistance
• Memory

In the Japanese context students will explore

• Images of Japan
• Popular Culture and Sport in Japan
• Transportation in Japan
• Police & Crime
• Japanese identity
• Nationalism
• Education in Japan
• Minorities
• Gender
• Politics in Japan
• Japan’s International Relations
• Japanese Economy & Business
• Media in Japan
• Religion in Japan
• Environmental issues in Japan
• Disasters in Japan