JAP1501 – Present-Day Japan
Schedule, syllabus and examination date
Course content
This course has a two-fold structure and aim.
First, it introduces students to various facets of present-day Japanese society, culture, politics and international relations. We will critically examine key issues and the discourses surrounding them, including domestic politics and democracy, social decline and inequality, disasters and precarity, public memory and foreign relations, gender and sexuality, immigration and ethnic minorities.
Second, the course offers guidance on how to write an academic paper. Students are highly encouraged to attend the Academic Writing Course for BA students organized by IKOS. Students will also receive individual feedback on paper proposals and drafts.
Learning outcome
By means of the lectures and the related readings, the Academic Writing Course and the various steps in writing an academic paper you will acquire:
- a basic knowledge of central facets of present-day Japan
- insight into various crucial issues in contemporary Japanese society, culture, politics and international relations
- training in academic writing
- training in finding and using academic sources
Admission to the course
Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.
If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.
This course is not available for single course students.
Recommended previous knowledge
The classes will be taught in English and the textbooks and other readings will all be in English, so proficiency in the English language is required.
Teaching
The course consists of 12 weekly lecture classes, including a library seminar, and the Academic Writing Course.
Compulsory activities
- Attendance to 10 of 12 lecture classes
- Formulation of a research question
- List of related academic sources
- First draft of the paper
In the library seminar and the writing course you will focus on formulating a research question, making a list of academic sources and writing the first draft. You must submit these obligatory assignments by a specified deadline through Canvas.
You are expected to participate actively in the classes. This does not merely imply that you need to prepare the various readings for each class, but also that you think while you read and formulate questions, and actively contribute to the discussions in class and in the Academic Writing Course.
The obligatory attendance is valid for the next two semesters that the course is taught. An approved research question, list of academic sources and first draft is only valid for one semester.
Academic writing
For the first year students on the study program, Japansk med Japan-studier, we are arranging a series of four seminars on academic writing. The seminars involve an important and basic introduction to topics and skills related to problem formulation, references, academic genres and subject-related writing.
All compulsory activities must be approved in order to qualify for the exam. It is the student’s responsibility to check whether or not the compulsory activities are approved.
This is how you apply for valid absence from compulsory activities/compulsory attendance.
Access to teaching
A student who has completed compulsory instruction and coursework and has had these approved, is not entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework. A student who has been admitted to a course, but who has not completed compulsory instruction and coursework or had these approved, is entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework, depending on available capacity.
Examination
The exam consists of a term paper of 10 pages (2300 characters per page, not including spaces).
Language of examination
The obligatory assignments and the term paper can be written in either English or Norwegian.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
Resit an examination
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.