Graduate/Postgraduate Courses and Programs in Japanese Studies
Welcome to the Japanese Studies postgraduate website! The Japanese Studies program offers an extensive range of courses, including postgraduate coursework courses (which are based on the attendance at classes and completion of units (subjects) and also research programs.
Coursework programs
Japanese Studies offers coursework programs in the Master of Applied Japanese Linguistics and the Master of Japanese Interpreting and Translation.
The Master of Japanese Interpreting and Translation is a tightly structured course involving a number of coursework units (subjects). The Coordinator, Mr Masato Takimoto has NAATI accreditation for both interpreting and translation at Level 4 together with professional experience.
The Master of Applied Japanese Linguistics is designed for current or prospective secondary and tertiary teachers of Japanese and others who wish to up-date their knowledge of theories and practices relating to Japanese language and its use, and about language teaching and language acquisition. The program allows you to articulate to a research degree upon completion of the research methodology unit and a research project. After completion of the first 48 points of this course, if you gain the required entry requirements (i.e. a distinction or above in the two core units and an average of distinction overall during the first full time year [48 points] which includes the Research methodology and research project) you may apply to be admitted into a research program - Master of Arts by research and coursework (66% research and 24 points of coursework), Master of Arts by Research (100% thesis) and PhD (thesis only).
Language programs
We also offer Japanese Language courses within the Japanese Studies program.
The Graduate Diploma in Languages (Japanese), allows you to complete an undergraduate major in Japanese, equivalent to one year of full-time study (48 points), taken part-time over three years.
The Postgraduate Diploma in Japanese Language is designed to allow graduates from any bachelor degree who have advanced intermediate competence equivalent to at least a basic major in Japanese (Monash Japanese Level 6 [previously Monash Level C]) to extend their competence in the language.
Further information is available
on the School's Postgraduate/Graduate
Coursework page.
Initial enquiries to Ms Sally
Riley, Student Services Officer (Postgraduate and Graduate).
Research Degrees
The Japanese studies program offers expertise in the fields of:
- Japanese sociology; social stratification and inequality; the organisation of work; industrial relations; images of Japanese society; meta-theories of Japanese society; Japanese-English translation; theories of translation
- Language teaching; language testing; intercultural interaction; sociolinguistics; applied linguistics;linguistics
- Narrative in Japanese culture; cultural studies; Japanese music; gender studies
University accredited supervision is available in the above fields to ensure high quality supervision of candidates within the program.
An introduction to members of staff and their fields of expertise is available in their staff profiles.
Research degrees offered within the Japanese Studies programs are:
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
- Master of Arts by Research in Applied Japanese Linguistics and
- Master of Arts in Applied Japanese Linguistics by Coursework and Research
- Master of Arts by Research in Japanese Studies and
- Master of Arts in Japanese Studies by Coursework and Research
Research degrees offered within the Asian Studies program:
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
- Master of Arts by Research in Asian Studies
- Master of Arts in Asian Studies by Coursework and Research
The entry requirements for a research degree are:
- A four year bachelor degree with honours H1 or H2A or the equivalent, or
- A research component in your coursework program (i.e. a research methodology unit (12 points) and Research Project (12 points or 24 points). Note: Although the research paper is classified as a coursework unit, it is in fact a research component and requires the appointment of a supervisor. If you achieve a distinction or above in the two core units and an average of distinction overall during the first full time year [48 points] which includes the research methodology and research project) you may apply to be admitted into a research program.
- Entry to research can also be gained by the completion of a Masters Qualifying (link to Jap. Stud and App. Jap. Ling. Mqual entries further below), which is a one year qualifying program and also includes the research methodology unit and the research paper. The Masters Qualifying program overlaps with the first 48 points of the Master of Applied Japanese Linguistics.
Further information is available on the School's Graduate Studies (Research)
page.
Initial enquiries to Ms
Sally Riley, Student Services Officer (Postgraduate and
Graduate).
Master of Arts by Research in Japanese Studies and Master of Arts in Japanese Studies by Coursework and Research
| Course code: | 2695 (100% thesis) |
| 2846 (66% thesis) | |
|
Coordinator: | Professor Ross Mouer Tel: +61 3 9905 2271; Email: ross.mouer@arts.monash.edu.au |
Supervision for candidates in the research Master may be available in the following areas:
- Japanese society
- Work organization
- Industrial relations
- International relations
- Japanese culture and performing arts
- Gender studies
The School offers the Master of Arts in Japanese Studies by 100% research, structured soley around the submission of a thesis.
Candidates undertaking the degree by 100% research are expected to submit a thesis of 30,000 - 40,000 words. The period of candidature is two years full-time or four years part-time.
Alternatively, students can complete a full semester of coursework (24 points), followed by a 66% thesis of 20,000 ~ 25,000 words. This is a one and a half year full time or three year part time program consisting of one-third coursework and two thirds (66%) thesis. It may be commenced in either semester. The coursework will usually comprise two 12-point units in Japanese studies.
The thesis topic must be determined in consultation with the supervisor, who is to be selected in consultation with the graduate coordinator. Detailed information about staff's research interests and expertise can be found in their individual staff profiles.
Applicants for this program are required to submit a 1000-word research proposal and are accepted into this program subject to there being a suitable member of staff willing to supervise the proposed research.
Prospective research students should refer to How to Apply. The first step is to complete the on-line Pre-Application Form.
Entry requirementsCompletion of a Masters Qualifying with a research component in Japanese studies with grades of distinction or above in both the research component and as an overall average, or an honours degree (or the equivalent) in a relevant field with a grade of H2A or above. Students should normally possess competence in Japanese equivalent to Level C (post VCE major).
Masters Qualifying in Japanese Studies with a Research Component
Course structure
Students complete 48 points in consultation with the course coordinator, including either 12 or 24 points of research, no more than 12 points of Japanese language units, and the remainder from level 4 Asian Studies units (with the prefixes AST, JAL, JIT or JST). It may be possible to include study in Japan as part of this program.
Articulation
Students wishing to proceed to the MA must ensure that by the end of their masters qualifying program, they have completed at least level D in Japanese language.
Entry requirements
A bachelors degree with a major in Japanese language or its equivalent, with average grades of credit or above at third year level.
Master of Arts by Research in Applied Japanese Linguistics and Master of Arts in Applied Japanese Linguistics by Coursework and Research
| Course code: | 2695 (100% thesis) |
| 2846 (66% thesis) | |
|
Coordinator: | Helen Marriott Tel: +61 3 9905 2272; Email: helen.marriott@arts.monash.edu.au |
Supervision for candidates in the research Master may be available in the following areas:
- Japanese language teaching and learning
- Japanese sociolinguistics
- Intercultural communication
- Languages in contact
- Applied linguistics
- Child language acquisition
- Language planning, and
- Japanese interpreting and translation
Candidates undertaking the degree by 100% research are expected to submit a thesis of 30,000 - 40,000 words. The period of candidature is two years full-time or four years part-time.
Alternatively students can complete a full semester of coursework (24 points), followed by a 66% thesis of 20,000 ~ 25,000 words. This is a one and a half year full time or three year part-time program consisting of one-third coursework and two thirds (66%) thesis. It may be commenced in either semester. The coursework will usually comprise two 12-point units in applied Japanese linguistics. With the permission of the graduate coordinator, one of these may be replaced by a revelant subject from outside the school or by 12 points of Japanese language.
The Master of Arts in Applied Japanese Linguistics course by research (66%) and coursework is designed so that students develop in-depth knowledge of Japanese language and related topics. The coursework component extends student's knowledge about the Japanese language and its use, and about language teaching and acquisition depending on the units undertaken.
Note that the minimum pass grade for subjects is 60% C, that is, a grade of Credit or above is required in every unit and the thesis.
The thesis topic must be determined in consultation with the supervisor, who is to be selected in consultation with the graduate coordinator. Detailed information about staff's research interests and expertise can be found in their individual staff profiles.
Applicants for this program are required to submit a 1000-word research proposal and are accepted into this program subject to there being a suitable member of staff willing to supervise the proposed research.
Prospective research students should refer to How to Apply. The first step is to complete the on-line Pre-Application Form.
Entry requirements
Completion of a Masters Qualifying with a research component in applied Japanese linguistics with grades of distinction or above in both the research component and as an overall average, or an honours degree (or the equivalent) in a relevant field with a grade of H2A or above and at least a minor in linguistics or Japanese studies subjects with a linguistics focus or equivalent. Students should normally possess competence in Japanese equivalent to Level C (post VCE major).
Masters qualifying in applied Japanese linguistics with a research component
| Course code: | 1988 |
| Coordinator: | Helen
Marriott Tel: +61 3 9905 2272; Email: helen.marriott@arts.monash.edu.au |
A Masters Qualifying year is designed to perpare students for masters level study. This program has a research focus. It is designed for practising teachers or others who are interested in Japanese language and related topics such as intercultural communication and who wish to simultaneously develop their own research skills. The program aims to extend students' knowledge about the Japanese language and its use, and/or about language teaching and acquisition through research.
Entry requirements
A bachelors degree or its equivalent with a minimum of level C proficiency in Japanese, and average credit level grades or above in the third-year units. Students should have completed at least a minor in linguistics at the undergraduate level or Japanese studies units with a linguistics focus, or equivalent.
Course Structure
This is a one-year program which includes coursework units as well as a research project. Normally students will take four 12-point units. JAL4610 Research methodology for applied linguistics and AST4680 Research paper A are compulsory. Students may select other relevant coursework units to the value of 24 points. Non-native speakers of Japanese may take up to 24 points of postgraduate Japanese language subjects.
Doctor of Philosophy
The degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is undertaken by thesis (100% research). It enables students to undertake substantial, original research which is conducted under expert academic supervision and declared to be a significant contribution to knowledge.
The School offers to PhD candidates in Japanese Studies supervision in the following areas:
- Japanese sociolinguistics,
- intercultural communication,
- languages in contact, applied linguistics,
- Japanese linguistics,
- Japanese society, work organisation,
- industrial relations,
- international relations,
- Japanese interpreting and translation,
- Japanese culture and performing arts,
- gender studies,
- child language acquisition and
- language planning.
More detailed information about staff's research interests and expertise can be found in their individual staff profiles.
The degree is normally completed in three years of full-time study, with a maximum candidature of four years of full-time, or eight years of part-time study. The thesis is a maximum of 100,000 words in length (excluding bibliographies, footnotes, indices, etc.). A limited number of external PhD places is available.
Details of entry requirements, can be found in the Monash University Postgraduate Handbook.
Prospective research students should refer to How to Apply. The first step is to complete the on-line Pre-Application Form.
The Monash Research Graduate School Doctoral Information Handbook is also a good source of detailed information.