Universität Wien
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150075 VO Japanese Writing Systems (2018S)

3.00 ECTS (1.00 SWS), SPL 15 - Ostasienwissenschaften

Details

max. 25 participants
Language: English, Japanese

Examination dates

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

This course shares a time slot with Japanische Grammatik II.
Some units may be used for Kommunikation in der japanischen Wirtschaftswelt instead (such changes will be announced in advance).

  • Wednesday 07.03. 13:15 - 16:00 Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
  • Wednesday 14.03. 13:15 - 16:00 Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
  • Wednesday 21.03. 13:15 - 16:00 Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
  • Wednesday 11.04. 13:15 - 16:00 Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
  • Wednesday 18.04. 13:15 - 16:00 Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
  • Wednesday 25.04. 13:15 - 16:00 Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
  • Wednesday 02.05. 13:15 - 16:00 Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
  • Wednesday 09.05. 13:15 - 16:00 Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
  • Wednesday 16.05. 13:15 - 16:00 Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
  • Wednesday 23.05. 13:15 - 16:00 Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
  • Wednesday 30.05. 13:15 - 16:00 Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
  • Wednesday 06.06. 13:15 - 16:00 Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
  • Wednesday 13.06. 13:15 - 16:00 Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
  • Wednesday 20.06. 13:15 - 16:00 Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
  • Wednesday 27.06. 13:15 - 15:15 Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

This course aims to transition students from “textbook Japanese” to “real Japanese” and from translating Japanese texts under supervision to actually reading them with some degree of independence. In a sense, this is where we finally get down to business. It is meant to be taken in tandem with Japanese Grammar II [Japanische Grammatik II] and Japanese Communication in a Business Environment [Kommunikation in der japanischen Wirtschaftswelt].

After a few short introductory lessons on using Japanese dictionaries and especially kanji dictionaries effectively, students will be provided with short texts, e. g. newspaper articles, essays, …, given time to study them at home (and usually document their efforts, for instance by creating vocabulary lists, summaries, presentations etc.). Then the texts will be read together in class, as a kind of dénouement. (This will take the bulk of face time, ideally one full time slot per text, every couple of weeks.) Finally, there may be further homework designed to assess and/or deepen students’ understanding of the text (e. g. polished written translations, reading comprehension questions, essays on points of grammar).
By varying the length and complexity of chosen texts as well as the amount of annotation provided and having students work alone or in groups of various sizes, the difficulty will be steadily increased. At the same time, the lecturer’s role may change from sentence-by-sentence explanation to intervention-when-neccessary in reading sessions chaired by students.

As far as is feasible texts will be business- or economics-related ones aimed at a general audience; students may also suggest texts or types of texts. The plan is to read 3-5 different texts over the course of the semester.

Assessment and permitted materials

The course is technically of the VO type, but is designed as if it were an [S]UE, so it’s continuous assessment (mit immanentem Prüfungscharakter) with a twist (see below). Active participation throughout the semester (both in class and outside it) is very important, so being prepared for class, submitting homework in a timely manner, volunteering, answering and asking questions, participating in group exercises etc. can really help your grade. In particular, each text may include preparatory homework to be done before the respective session and/or homework to be done after, though there may also be homework that isn’t tied to a specific text. Homework may take various forms, from written documents submitted via and content added to Moodle to presentations given in class and chairing sessions.

There'll also be a written final exam where students will be asked to translate a text that is new to them, but similar in type to one covered in class.

Certain reference materials (in a nutshell: those created by the students and/or lecturer on the texts read in class as part of the course, but not the text book, official vocabulary list, nor any dictionaries or other published works) are permitted during the final, a definitive whitelist will be provided ~1 week in advance. Exceptions can be made on request for students with a handicap.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

In order to qualify for a passing grade, you must either a) score > 50 % on the final; or b) sit the final, have been present for the entirety of all reading sessions (but one, as long as you have a good reason) and score > 50 % in total on the following: active participation (30 %), homework (30 %) and final (40 %).

The score per (a) or (b), the higher one counts, is then converted to a grade as follows:
> 87,5 % Excellent (A) [Sehr Gut (1)]
> 75,0 % Good (B) [Gut (2)]
> 62,5 % Satisfactory (C) [Befriedigend (3)]
> 50,0 % Acceptable (D) [Genügend (4)]
<= 50 %: Failed (F) [Nicht Genügend (5)]

Assessment focusses on reading (both comprehension and reading aloud), understanding of grammar and Japanese–English translation. (Note that these are just informational guidelines, not individually graded categories.)

There is a strict zero tolerance policy on cheating and plagiarism.

Examination topics

All texts read, including vocabulary, kanji and grammar; any additional materials provided in class and/or the e-learning platform (Moodle) by the lecturer and/or students. You’ll be expected to know the vocabulary, kanji and grammar covered in Grammar II as well.

Reading list

Will be provided in class or on the e-learning platform (shared with Grammar II).

Association in the course directory

JMA M1 for Ecos-students
EC Wirtschaftskommunikation Japanisch II

Last modified: Tu 14.01.2025 00:16