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Unit outline_

JPNS3612: Japanese 6

Semester 2, 2026 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit aims to consolidate and extend intermediate level linguistic skills, through the acquisition of conversational strategies such as notions of apology, reasoning, opinions and explanations. Besides oral practice, writing and reading practice will help strengthen grammatical, lexical and cultural knowledge. Students will be able to read about 850 kanji and write about 500 kanji by the end of the semester. The above aims will be achieved by exploring various topics relating to contemporary Japan through authentic materials.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Japanese Studies
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
JPNS3611
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
JPNS3621
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Yoko Yonezawa, yoko.yonezawa@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 31 August 2026
Type Description Weight Due Length Use of AI
Written exam Final exam
Summative test on material covered during the whole semester.
35% Formal exam period 2 hours AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Contribution Participation
Preparation for class (reviewing previous class content and the textbook content and completing worksheets, etc. before attending each class), active participation in class activities, and collaboration with other students.
10% Ongoing N/A AI allowed
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
In-person practical, skills, or performance task or test Mid-term test (In-class)
Summative test on material covered during first half of semester.
20% Week 08 Equivalent to 800 words AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO4 LO6
Interactive oral Interactive oral
Immersion activities and interactive oral test
25% Week 12 Equivalent to 1400 words AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO7
Out-of-class quiz Online quizzes
Weekly online quizzes
10% Weekly 10 x 30 words weekly online quiz AI allowed
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6

Assessment summary

  • Final exam: 35%. Summative test on material covered during the whole semester.Ìý
  • Mid-semester test: 15%. Summative test on material covered during first half of semester.
  • Participation: 10%. Assessment of in-class engagement.Ìý
  • Online quizzes: 10%. Standard quizzes on Canvas, including multiple choice, matching, fill-in-the-blank, etc.Ìý
  • Communication task & oral presentation:20%.
  • Listening test: 10%. OnlineÌýtest.

Assessment criteria

Result name Mark Range Description
High distinction 85-100 Work that meets the learning outcomes of the unit to an exceptional standard
Distinction 75-84 Work that meets the learning outcomes of the unit to a very high standard
Credit 65-74 Work that meets the learning outcomes of the unit to a good standard
Pass 50-64 Work that meets the learning outcomes of the unit to an acceptable standard
Fail 0-49 Work that does not meet the learning outcomes of the unit to an acceptable standard

Ìý

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of theÌýAcademic Integrity Policy.

Visit theÌýCurrent Students websiteÌýfor more information on AI in assessments, includingÌýdetails on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Penalties for late work will follow faculty guidelines.Ìý

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our websiteÌýprovides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed theÌýAcademic Honesty Education Module (AHEM)Ìýwhich is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit theÌýCurrent Students websiteÌýfor more information on AI in assessments, includingÌýdetails on how to acknowledge its use.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through aÌýsimple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible forÌýspecial consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students,ÌýÌýincludes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students PolicyÌýreflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Multiple weeks Monday: Reading Tutorial (Weeks 1-13) Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6 LO7
Tuesday: Grammar Tutorial (Weeks 1-13) Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Friday: Communication Tutorial (Weeks 1-13) Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6 LO7

Attendance and class requirements

  • Students are expected to attend all three one-hour tutorials per week and participate actively. Please note that completing the mandatory preparation before coming to class is required, following the instructions on each class's Canvas site.
  • Students who have a timetable clash or are unable to attendÌýfor more than one week mustÌýconsult with the coordinator.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

  • Oka, Mayumi, Michio Tsutsui, and Junko Kondo.ÌýTobira: Gateway to advanced Japanese: Learning through content and multimedia. Kurosio, 2009.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. read and write about 300 new kanji
  • LO2. use available resources (including dictionaries and grammar guides) well enough to understand meanings of non-specialized texts without relying on teacher support
  • LO3. understand and use grammatical forms and expressions confidently at the upper intermediate level
  • LO4. use a range of strategies for reading and understanding detailed and subtle meanings in non-specialized texts
  • LO5. express yourself using contextually and culturally appropriate Japanese and understand others in context with an upper intermediate degree of proficiency
  • LO6. be an independent learner who takes responsibility for your own learning
  • LO7. work respectfully and effectively in teams and other collaborative contexts

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all ±¬ÁÏÍõ graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Thank you for your feedback regarding the end-of-semester assessment schedule. We understand that having the interactive oral, listening test, and final exam held consecutively in class created a heavy workload and left limited time to study for the final exam. To give you more breathing room, we have streamlined the assessment structure. The listening test is now a non-assessed self-study tool for your own practice. Additionally, we have moved the final exam to the formal exam period, ensuring you have Stuvac to focus entirely on your preparation.

More information can be found on Canvas.

Disclaimer

Important: the ±¬ÁÏÍõ regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an .