ATS3148: Japanese Studies Advanced 2

- 10 minute job interview test: 20%
- homework exercises
- vocabulary/grammar tests
- haiku/tanka poetry project: 6%
- final examination: 25%

*cant remember how everything was calculated apart from the ones I mentioned

the course was organized very well with a weekly timetable sheet that you get in week 1 - detailing what we would go through each when and highlighting when tests would be held and due dates for projects. Attending all lectures/tutorials/seminars is compulsory (apparently) or Iwasaki sensei will try to chase you considering there's only 50~ students taking the subject so it's noticeable when you're away. This unit taught a reasonable amount of grammar patterns and vocabulary across three themes - history, literature and politics.

Overall I found Iwasaki sensei to be pretty bland as a lecturer although she got the job done. Most people tried to escape lectures by going on 1 hour "toilet breaks" since they taught very little but were interesting sometimes in various group activities.

I really wanted to love this subject but the lack of engagement from the lecturer was a let-down and the keigo (formal speech) part of the course was taught poorly. Not to mention how kanji felt non-existent in class outside the homework kanji exercises
It's not a difficult unit if you put the work in and I do value what I had learned it. Motivation for the learning the language is key really~

Shimako Iwasaki

no, but you will receive a handout outlining how the exam will be structured

3.5 out of 5

no

majority of the unit content is based on the prescribed textbook material, 上級へのとびら

- 1 hour lecture
- 1 hour tutorial
- 2 hour seminar

semester 2 2012

HD