JAP4010 – Theory and Method in Japanese Studies
Schedule, syllabus and examination date
Course content
Japanese studies is a field, not a discipline. Students will be working on topics that range from modern politics to literature, history, and linguistics, and will therefore be using a wide range of different theories and methods. The aim of this course is to help you to choose a topic for your MA thesis, reflect on the theories and methods that you will need, and to write and present a project plan that will guide your work towards your final thesis.
The course begins with a series of lectures and seminars, revolving around practical exercises in central academic methods that can be expected to have relevance for all of you. These will range from research ethics to exercises in using library databases. After this, an intensive seminar (called "Academic Survival Kit" or ASK) will offer you the possibility to make your final decision on the direction that your MA research will take, and settle who will be your supervisor. For the final part of the course, students will be divided into smaller groups based on their research interests and work on more specific methodologies relevant to their chosen topic. The course concludes with a round of presentations, where you will have the opportunity to explain your project plan to your fellow students and the teaching staff and receive feed-back - as well as learn from your fellow students and give comments on their ideas.
Learning outcome
- You will become familiar with a number of research methodologies, and be able to select a theory and method suitable to a research topic of your own interest.
- You will improve your academic writing skills and learn how to write an academic research plan.
- Through class presentations and discussions, you will learn to present and debate academic knowledge.
- By developing your own project, you will learn to apply general insights to a topic that has your particular interest, and reflect on the theoretical and methodological issues involved.
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.
Only students enrolled in the programme option Japanese Studies can be admitted to this course.
Formal prerequisite knowledge
Please see the admission requirements defined by the programme option Japanese Studies.
Teaching
The course is taught through a combination of lectures and seminars, organised as 10 classes of 2 hours each throughout the semester. The course presupposes active participation in class.
Compulsory activities
- Attend 8 out of 10 lectures/seminars
- Pass the library assignment
- Hand in other smaller writing assignments
- Participate in the Academic Survival Kit
- Compulsory E-learning course in the protection of personal data (GDPR). The course will be delivered via Canvas
Approved compulsory activities are only valid for one semester. Participation of the Academic Survival Kit is valid on a permanent basis.
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.
Examination
The exam consists of three parts:
- An oral presentation of your MA research project
- A project proposal for your MA thesis (approximately 5 pages)
- An essay on a theoretical or methodological issue relevant to your MA thesis (approximately 10 pages)
You need to pass all three parts to pass the course. You will receive a grade for each part. Each part will count as one third of the total.
The project proposal and the essay are to be submitted in Inspera within the given deadline.
Language of examination
The examination text is given in English, and you submit your response in English.
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.