Bachelor of Arts (BA) - The University of Hong Kong

210N.B. For pedagogical reasons, some of the classes in this course will be taught in Cantonese.Non-Cantonese speakers should ensure that they are in a class taught through the medium ofEnglish. Students who have no prior knowledge of Chinese characters should seek the advice oftheir teacher at the beginning of the semester, since characters will not be specifically taught butwill be an integrated part of the course.JAPN1011.Introduction to Japanese studies (6 credits)(This course is also offered to first year non-BA students for inter-Faculty broadening purposes.)Introduction to Japanese Studies aims to provide a broad-based description of Japanese society andculture. The course will cover altogether seven different aspects of Japan – language andcommunication, history, geography, politics and government, religion and thought, economy andliterature. Students will be assigned to a tutorial group either in the first or second semester.This course is available primarily for those Arts Faculty students who enrol in Japanese Language, butthe students from the Faculties of Social Sciences and Business and Economics may also take the coursesubject to available places.Assessment: 60% coursework, 40% examination.Examination: A two-hour written examination at the end of the semester in which the course is taken.Optional CoursesJAPN1009.Introduction to Japanese linguistics (6 credits)(This course is also offered to first year non-BA students for inter-Faculty broadening purposes.)The course is an introductory linguistics course with particular reference to the Japanese language. Thelanguage will be viewed from both diachronic and synchronic perspectives and frequent cross linguisticcomparisons are made with Cantonese, Mandarin and English. The purpose is to stimulate interest inthis particular language and facilitate the acquisitional process while promoting general understandingof human language behaviour, which is deemed important to the interested second language learner.Assessment: 100% coursework (reading assignment summaries, test, presentation, midterm paper andterm project).JAPN1010.Japanese language enhancement (6 credits)This is a demanding course which aims to reinforce the grammar lessons of the JAPN1008 languagecourse. It is designed especially for students who have difficulties catching up with the languagelessons or who would like to do more oral exercises. Special attention will therefore be paid toenhancing oral skills through various teaching methods. Through effective exercises conductedregularly, students are expected to gain confidence in using the Japanese they have learnt.Assessment: 100% coursework (class performance: role-play, oral exercises; written and listeningquizzes; written/oral/listening assignments; written and listening tests).The above course will be offered in second semester only.JAPN1012.Cults, comics and companies: a look at Japan today (3 credits)(This course is also offered to first year non-BA students for inter-Faculty broadening purposes.)This course looks into various areas of contemporary Japanese society in order to give students insightinto the dynamics of today's Japan. Topics including Japanese popular culture, company culture andorganization, technology, the role of women, families and the aging society, education, and religion.Assessment: 100% coursework (presentations and short essays).