Students

JPS 121 – Japan - Past and Present

2017 – S1 Day

General Information

Download as PDF
Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor
Thomas Baudinette
Contact via 9850 8813 (office hours only)
W6A 337
Tuesdays, 3-4pm and by appointment
Tutor
Alison Luke
Credit points Credit points
3
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit aims at providing students with a general knowledge of the historical tradition and transition of Japan. The unit begins in ancient Japan and continues through the major periods of Japanese history until the present day. For each period, the key individuals, groups, events and developments, along with the important issues and concepts, will be introduced. Topics covered include the Japanese imperial court and emperors, the rule of the samurai, Japan's national isolation and subsequent modernisation, and WWII and its related events and issues. The underlying theme of the unit will be to examine the links between Japan's history and the Japan of today. This unit is conducted in English and is open to students of any Faculty interested in Japan.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • Demonstrate detailed knowledge of Japanese history.
  • Generate reasoned, considered and original analysis and evaluation of key individuals, groups and events, as well as of important concepts and issues, in Japanese history.
  • Present information in a clear, focused, well-structured manner, displaying academic rigour, both orally and in writing.
  • Demonstrate initiative and competence in research, including locating relevant and appropriate resources, and use of correct referencing procedure.
  • Demonstrate a high level of interpersonal skills through class participation.

General Assessment Information

Late Submissions, Extensions and Supplementary Tests

Assessment tasks are compulsory and must be submitted on time. As a general rule, extensions will not be granted without a valid and documented reason (e.g. medical certificate). Late submissions will be penalised by 5% for each day (including weekends) the assessment task is late. A request for a supplementary test will be considered only in the case of serious illness or disruption. No assessment tasks will be accepted after assessment tasks have been corrected and feedback has been provided. Assessment tasks handed in early will not be marked and returned before the due date. If you anticipate unavoidable difficulty in completing an assessment task (in class and/or online), contact the convener or your tutor as soon as possible. 

Disruption to Studies

If a student is prevented by serious and unavoidable disruption from completing unit requirements in accordance with their ability, they may apply for support under the Disruption to Studies Policy. To access this support, students must notify the university via ask.mq.edu.au. Students should refer to the Disruption to Studies Policy for further information (see the link provided in the 'Policies and procedures' section of this unit guide).

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Participation 15% No Weekly
Article Research & Review 15% No 7 April
Online Quiz 1 15% No 30 April
Online Quiz 2 15% No 4 June
Essay 40% No 16 June

Participation

Due: Weekly
Weighting: 15%

Participation refers to much more than simply being in attendance. Students must consistently demonstrate their commitment to the course by being punctual and well prepared for all classes. Participation marks are also gained through active involvement during the class, demonstrated by asking and answering questions, participating constructively in activities as required, and showing consideration for the teaching staff and other students by behaving in a mature and co-operative manner. The assessment rubric for Participation is available in iLearn.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate detailed knowledge of Japanese history.
  • Generate reasoned, considered and original analysis and evaluation of key individuals, groups and events, as well as of important concepts and issues, in Japanese history.
  • Present information in a clear, focused, well-structured manner, displaying academic rigour, both orally and in writing.
  • Demonstrate a high level of interpersonal skills through class participation.

Article Research & Review

Due: 7 April
Weighting: 15%

Length: 600 words plus bibliographical data

Format: Times New Roman 12 point font, typed A4, double-spaced

In this task, students are required to use the university library online research databases to locate a small number of relevant journal articles. The list of journal articles (title only) will be provided in iLearn. Once the articles have been located, students are required to submit:

1.    The full bibliographical details of each article, using the prescribed referencing style for JPS121.

2.    A 600 word review of one of the articles.

Detailed information, including a workshop, on how to complete this task will be provided in tutorials and iLearn. The assessment rubric for this task is available in iLearn.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate detailed knowledge of Japanese history.
  • Generate reasoned, considered and original analysis and evaluation of key individuals, groups and events, as well as of important concepts and issues, in Japanese history.
  • Present information in a clear, focused, well-structured manner, displaying academic rigour, both orally and in writing.
  • Demonstrate initiative and competence in research, including locating relevant and appropriate resources, and use of correct referencing procedure.

Online Quiz 1

Due: 30 April
Weighting: 15%

This quiz is designed to assess your understanding of the unit content, as well as your critical thinking and academic writing skills. Questions will be based on the unit content from Week 2 to Week 7. You are advised to revise the content of the lectures, tutorials and essential readings. The quiz may include the following question types: multiple choice, true/false, short response and medium response.

This quiz will be completed via iLearn. It will be available for the two weeks of the Session Recess. The quiz will open from 5pm Thursday 13 April, 2017 until 11:59pm Sunday 30 April, 2017 (this is during Session 1 recess). Once you start the quiz you must complete and submit it within two hours. There is only one attempt.

Further information on this quiz will be provided in tutorials and iLearn. The assessment rubric for this task is available in iLearn.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate detailed knowledge of Japanese history.
  • Generate reasoned, considered and original analysis and evaluation of key individuals, groups and events, as well as of important concepts and issues, in Japanese history.
  • Present information in a clear, focused, well-structured manner, displaying academic rigour, both orally and in writing.
  • Demonstrate initiative and competence in research, including locating relevant and appropriate resources, and use of correct referencing procedure.

Online Quiz 2

Due: 4 June
Weighting: 15%

This quiz is designed to assess your understanding of the unit content, as well as your critical thinking and academic writing skills. The quiz will cover the content of lectures, tutorials and essential readings from Weeks 2-12, and may include the following question types: multiple choice, true/false, short response, medium response and short essay questions. The quiz will be two hours in length.

This quiz will be completed via iLearn. It will be available for from 5pm Monday 29 May, 2017 until 11:59pm Sunday 4 June, 2017. Once you start the test you must complete and submit it within two hours. There will be only one attempt.

Further information on this test will be provided in tutorials and iLearn. The assessment rubric for this task is available in iLearn.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate detailed knowledge of Japanese history.
  • Generate reasoned, considered and original analysis and evaluation of key individuals, groups and events, as well as of important concepts and issues, in Japanese history.
  • Present information in a clear, focused, well-structured manner, displaying academic rigour, both orally and in writing.
  • Demonstrate initiative and competence in research, including locating relevant and appropriate resources, and use of correct referencing procedure.

Essay

Due: 16 June
Weighting: 40%

Length:  1500 words

Format:  Times New Roman 12 point font, typed A4, double-spaced

You will be required to respond to one question in essay format. The essay question will be provided to you in class and iLearn.

Detailed information, including workshops, on how to complete this task will be provided in tutorials and iLearn. The assessment rubric for this task is available in iLearn.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate detailed knowledge of Japanese history.
  • Generate reasoned, considered and original analysis and evaluation of key individuals, groups and events, as well as of important concepts and issues, in Japanese history.
  • Present information in a clear, focused, well-structured manner, displaying academic rigour, both orally and in writing.
  • Demonstrate initiative and competence in research, including locating relevant and appropriate resources, and use of correct referencing procedure.

Delivery and Resources

Required Resources

The required textbook for this unit is:

Morton, W. Scott and J. Kenneth Olenik. 2005. Japan: Its History and Culture. 4th ed. New York: McGraw Hill.

This text is available from the Co-Op Bookshop on campus. A limited number of copies are also available for loan from the university library.

Online Unit and Technology Used and Required

This unit will use iLearn and Echo360 (for lecture recordings), so regular, reliable access to a computer and the internet are necessary for the completion of this unit. Basic computer skills and skills in word processing are also a requirement.

Online Unit

Login is via: https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/

Is my unit in iLearn?: http://help.ilearn.mq.edu.au/unitsonline/ Use this link to check when your online unit will become available.

Technology

Students are required to have regular access to a computer and the internet. Mobile devices alone are not sufficient.

Unit Schedule

Week (beginning date)

Topic

1: Feb 27

Unit overview

2: Mar 6

Ancient Japan

3: Mar 13

Heian Period

4: Mar 20

Kamakura Period

5: Mar 27

Muromachi Period

6: Apr 3

Azuchi-Momoyama Period

*Journal Article Research and Review task due 11:59PM, Friday April 7th

7: April 10 Edo (Tokugawa) Period

 

Session 1 Recess (April 17 - April 30)

*Online Quiz 1 due 11:59PM, Sunday April 30th

8: May 1

Meiji Period I

9: May 8

Meiji Period II

10: May 15

Taishō Period

11: May 22

Early Shōwa Period

12: May 29

Postwar Japan - "Bubble" collapse

*Online Quiz 2 due at 11:59PM, Sunday June 2nd

13: June 5

Present day Japan

June 13

Formal Examination Period June 13- June 23

*Essay due 5pm, Friday June 16th

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html

Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy_2016.html

Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html

Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/complaint_management/procedure.html​

Disruption to Studies Policy (in effect until Dec 4th, 2017): http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html

Special Consideration Policy (in effect from Dec 4th, 2017): https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/special-consideration

In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/

Results

Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Graduate Capabilities

Creative and Innovative

Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Generate reasoned, considered and original analysis and evaluation of key individuals, groups and events, as well as of important concepts and issues, in Japanese history.
  • Present information in a clear, focused, well-structured manner, displaying academic rigour, both orally and in writing.

Assessment tasks

  • Participation
  • Article Research & Review
  • Online Quiz 1
  • Online Quiz 2
  • Essay

Capable of Professional and Personal Judgement and Initiative

We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate initiative and competence in research, including locating relevant and appropriate resources, and use of correct referencing procedure.
  • Demonstrate a high level of interpersonal skills through class participation.

Assessment tasks

  • Participation
  • Article Research & Review
  • Online Quiz 1
  • Online Quiz 2
  • Essay

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Our graduates will have enquiring minds and a literate curiosity which will lead them to pursue knowledge for its own sake. They will continue to pursue learning in their careers and as they participate in the world. They will be capable of reflecting on their experiences and relationships with others and the environment, learning from them, and growing - personally, professionally and socially.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate detailed knowledge of Japanese history.
  • Demonstrate a high level of interpersonal skills through class participation.

Assessment tasks

  • Participation
  • Article Research & Review
  • Online Quiz 1
  • Online Quiz 2
  • Essay

Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills

Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate detailed knowledge of Japanese history.
  • Generate reasoned, considered and original analysis and evaluation of key individuals, groups and events, as well as of important concepts and issues, in Japanese history.
  • Present information in a clear, focused, well-structured manner, displaying academic rigour, both orally and in writing.
  • Demonstrate initiative and competence in research, including locating relevant and appropriate resources, and use of correct referencing procedure.

Assessment tasks

  • Participation
  • Article Research & Review
  • Online Quiz 1
  • Online Quiz 2
  • Essay

Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate detailed knowledge of Japanese history.
  • Generate reasoned, considered and original analysis and evaluation of key individuals, groups and events, as well as of important concepts and issues, in Japanese history.
  • Present information in a clear, focused, well-structured manner, displaying academic rigour, both orally and in writing.
  • Demonstrate initiative and competence in research, including locating relevant and appropriate resources, and use of correct referencing procedure.

Assessment tasks

  • Participation
  • Article Research & Review
  • Online Quiz 1
  • Online Quiz 2
  • Essay

Problem Solving and Research Capability

Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Generate reasoned, considered and original analysis and evaluation of key individuals, groups and events, as well as of important concepts and issues, in Japanese history.
  • Present information in a clear, focused, well-structured manner, displaying academic rigour, both orally and in writing.
  • Demonstrate initiative and competence in research, including locating relevant and appropriate resources, and use of correct referencing procedure.

Assessment tasks

  • Participation
  • Article Research & Review
  • Online Quiz 1
  • Online Quiz 2
  • Essay

Effective Communication

We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Generate reasoned, considered and original analysis and evaluation of key individuals, groups and events, as well as of important concepts and issues, in Japanese history.
  • Present information in a clear, focused, well-structured manner, displaying academic rigour, both orally and in writing.
  • Demonstrate a high level of interpersonal skills through class participation.

Assessment tasks

  • Participation
  • Article Research & Review
  • Online Quiz 1
  • Online Quiz 2
  • Essay

Engaged and Ethical Local and Global citizens

As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate detailed knowledge of Japanese history.
  • Generate reasoned, considered and original analysis and evaluation of key individuals, groups and events, as well as of important concepts and issues, in Japanese history.
  • Demonstrate a high level of interpersonal skills through class participation.

Assessment tasks

  • Participation
  • Article Research & Review
  • Online Quiz 1
  • Online Quiz 2
  • Essay

Socially and Environmentally Active and Responsible

We want our graduates to be aware of and have respect for self and others; to be able to work with others as a leader and a team player; to have a sense of connectedness with others and country; and to have a sense of mutual obligation. Our graduates should be informed and active participants in moving society towards sustainability.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

  • Demonstrate a high level of interpersonal skills through class participation.

Assessment task

  • Participation