Get to know the traditional roots of modern Japanese culture - from anime to Zen. All lectures and readings are offered in English; texts in Japanese are optional.
Note: This paper is also offered as JAPA 342; the content of the paper is the same for both JAPA 242 and JAPA 342, but assessment is differentiated between the two levels: students taking this paper at the more advanced level are asked to produce a longer research essay (3,000 rather than 2,000 words).
About this paper
| Paper title | Understanding Japanese Culture |
|---|---|
| Subject | Japanese |
| EFTS | 0.15 |
| Points | 18 points |
| Teaching period | Not offered in 2025 (On campus) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) | $1,040.70 |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Prerequisite
- 18 200-level JAPA points
- Restriction
- JAPA 221, JAPA 242
- Schedule C
- Arts and Music
- Notes
- This paper is offered in English; texts in Japanese are optional.
- Eligibility
- Suitable for students specialising in any discipline. This paper is taught in English. No knowledge of the Japanese language is required.
- Contact
- languages@otago.ac.nz
- Teaching staff
To be confirmed.
- Paper Structure
Taking a historical and multi-disciplinary approach, JAPA 242/342 aims to achieve an in-depth understanding of traditional Japanese culture by critical analysis of its roots: the ancient religious, literary, artistic, social and political traditions that influence the way Japanese people think and live today. Whereas our other major culture paper, JAPA 243/343 Issues in Japanese Culture Today, focuses almost exclusively on contemporary Japanese culture, JAPA 242/342 will focus more on the traditional culture, but always with an eye on how the past continues to live in the present.
- Teaching Arrangements
This paper is taught via lectures and seminar-style discussions.
- Textbooks
- The course readings on Japanese culture will be made available on the course BB (Blackboard) site.
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Global perspective, Communication, Critical thinking, Cultural understanding, Environmental literacy, Research.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
By reading the texts, participating in lectures and seminar-style discussions and completing the required assignments, students will gain:
- An in-depth understanding of traditional Japanese culture by critical analysis of its roots: its ancient religious, literary, artistic, social and political traditions
- An in-depth understanding of the many respects in which this traditional Japanese culture continues to influence the way Japanese people think and live today
- A capacity for research on and critical analysis of traditional Japanese culture