Master of Arts Program in Japanese Studies (revised 2004) 1. Name of Curriculum: Master of Arts Program in Japanese Studies 2. Name of Degree: Master of Arts (Japanese Studies) M.A. (Japanese Studies) 3. Responsible Agency: Japanese Department Faculty of Liberal Arts Thammasat University 4. Philosophy and Objectives: To produce graduates equipped with a competent knowledge of the Japanese language, culture, politics, governance, economy and society, together with an ability to conduct quality research in Japanese studies. 5. Availability: Since the 2004 academic year 6. Applicant Qualifications: 6.1 Applicants must hold at least a bachelor s degree from a Thai or foreign educational institute accredited by Thammasat University Council. 6.2 Applicants must have studied Japanese as a major or minor subject at undergraduate level, attained at least Level 2 of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test administered by the Japanese government, or been approved for admission by the Department s Graduate Program Committee. 6.3 Applicants must meet the requirements as specified in Thammasat University s Regulation No. 8 on Graduate Studies B.E. 2541 (1998).
7. Admission Requirements: Applicants must pass a written examination and interview as announced by the University. 8. Academic System: 8.1 The program operates on a full-time, two-semester basis. 8.2 In order to obtain a Master s Degree in Japanese Studies, students must have completed no less than 42 credits of required courses (12 credits), specific stream courses (12 credits), electives (6 credits) and a thesis (12 credits). 8.3 Students may register for a thesis after they have completed at least 18 credits of required courses (at least 12 credits) and specific stream courses (at least 6 credits) and maintained a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of no less than 3.00. 8.4 Students must obtain a grade of Pass (P) on the Foreign Language (English) Test before the oral defense of their theses. 8.5 The conduct and oral defense of the thesis shall conform to Thammasat University Regulations on Graduate Programs B.E. 2541 (1998) and Thammasat University Regulations on Thesis B.E. 2535 (1992). 8.6 Students outside the Program may register for courses after obtaining approval from the instructor. 9. Duration of Study: Not more than 8 semesters. 10. Course Registration: Full-time students must register for no less than 6 and no more than 12 credits of their courses and/or thesis. Any other registration shall conform to the Thammasat University Regulations on Graduate Programs B.E. 2541 (1998). 11. Assessment and Graduation: 11.1 Assessment 11.1.1 Grades are divided into 9 bands as follows: Grade A A- B+ B B- C+ C D F Grade 4.00 3.67 3.33 3.00 2.67 2.33 2.00 1.00 0 Point 11.1.2 Specific stream courses and electives with a grade of at least C will be counted for graduation. 11.1.3 The thesis is evaluated as S (satisfactory) or U (unsatisfactory). 11.3.4 The result of the Foreign Language Test is graded as P (Pass) or N (Not Pass).
2541 (1998). 11.3.5 Other conditions shall conform to the Thammasat University Regulations on Graduate Studies B.E. 11.2 Graduation: 11.2.1 Students have passed all courses according to the Program requirements and completed all the requirements set by the Faculty and University. 11.2.2 Students have obtained a P in the Foreign Language Test. 11.2.3 Students have received an S for their thesis examination after their final oral defense. 11.2.4 Students have maintained a cumulative GPA of no less than 3.00. 11.2.5 Students have their paper on their thesis published in an academic journal or in Discussion Paper Series or presented at an academic conference. 11.2.6 Other conditions shall conform to the criteria as prescribed by the University. 12. Estimated Costs: The costs for each graduate student are approximately 37,000 baht a year for a full-time regular program. 13. Curriculum Structure 13.1 Total requirement 42 credits 13.2 Curriculum Structure 1. Required courses 12 credits 2. Specific stream courses 12 credits 3. Electives 6 credits 4. Thesis 12 credits 42 credits 13.3 Curriculum Requirements: 13.3.1 Required courses: All students are required to take 12 credits of required courses. 13.3.2 Specific stream courses: Students are required to take 12 credits of specific stream courses as follows: (1) Language and Linguistics streams: Students must study JP623 and at least 3 other courses in the stream totaling 9 credits. (2) Social Sciences and Cultural streams: Students must study JP683 and at least 3 other courses in the stream totaling 9 credits. 13.3.3 Electives: Students are required to study other electives totaling at least 6 credits. Electives may be courses in or outside the stream or courses outside the curriculum taught at Thammasat University. 13.3.4 Thesis: 12 credits
13.4 Courses Each course code number consists of 3 digits as follows: The last digit 0-2 mean required courses. 3 means a course in each stream. 4-9 means an elective. The middle digit 1 means a general course or combined course. 2-3 mean courses in language and linguistics 4 means a course in literature 5-7 mean courses in social sciences 8-9 mean cultural courses The first digit 6 means a basic Master s Degree course 7 means an advanced Master s Degree course 8 means thesis List of courses: 13.4.1 Required courses (No. of hours for lecture-practice-self-study) JP610 Analytical Studies of Japanese History 3 (3-0-9) JP611 Current Affairs in Japan 3 (3-0-9) JP612 Research Methodology 3 (3-0-9) JP620 Language and Japanese Culture and Society 3 (3-0-9) 13.4.2 Specific stream courses (1) Language and Linguistics streams (No. of hours for lecture-practice-self-study) JP623 Japanese Linguistics 3 (3-0-9) JP724 Japanese Phonology 3 (3-0-9) JP725 Seminar on the Structure of Japanese Language 3 (3-0-9) JP726 Seminar on Japanese Sociolinguistics 3 (3-0-9) JP727 Special Topics on Japanese Linguistics 3 (3-0-9) JP728 Theory and Methods of Translation 3 (3-0-9)
JP734 Seminar on Teaching Japanese as a Foreign Language 3 (3-0-9) JP735 Special Topics on Japanese Language Education 3 (3-0-9) (2) Social Sciences and Cultural streams (No. of hours for lecture-practice-self-study) JP683 Analytical Studies of Japanese Society and Culture (required course) 3 (3-0-9) JP744 Literature and Japanese Culture and Society 3 (3-0-9) JP745 Special Topics on Japanese Literature 3 (3-0-9) JP754 Japanese Economy and Society 3 (3-0-9) JP755 Japanese Management 3 (3-0-9) JP764 Socio-Cultural Patterns and Japanese Political System 3 (3-0-9) JP765 Japan and the International Community 3 (3-0-9) JP774 Special Topics on Social Sciences 3 (3-0-9) JP784 Special Topics on Japanese Culture 3 (3-0-9) JP794 Comparative Studies of Japanese and Thai Cultures 3 (3-0-9) Note: Students can also choose a required course in the specific stream outside their stream as an elective. Thesis JP800 Thesis 12 Academic Plan First Year First Semester JP610 Analytical Studies of Japanese History 3 JP612 Research Methodology 3 Required course from the chosen stream (and an elective from the stream 6 or any other elective) Total 9-12
First Year Second Semester JP611 Current Affairs in Japan 3 JP620 Language and Japanese Culture and Society 3 Elective from the chosen stream and/or another elective 6 Total 9-12 Second Year First Semester Elective from the chosen stream and/or another elective 6 Total 6-12 Second Year Second Semester JP800 Thesis 12 Course Description JP610 Analytical Studies of Japanese History 3 credits A study of the evolution and concepts of Japanese philosophy, religion, economy, society, politics and culture from the past to post-world War II JP611 Current Affairs in Japan 3 credits A study of current economic, political, social and cultural affairs in Japan for a better understanding of the current situation and problems facing the country JP612 Research Methodology 3 credits A study of research methodology including formulation of the problem, data collection and analysis, summary of the findings, and research report writing
JP620 Language and Japanese Culture and Society 3 credits A study of the relationship between language and Japanese culture and society for a better understanding of how the Japanese use their language and how the students can communicate more effectively in Japanese. Specific stream courses (1) Language and Linguistics streams: JP623 Japanese Linguistics 3 credits A study of the phonology, morphology, semantics and syntax of the Japanese language based on linguistic theories, for a better understanding of the language as a whole in a systematic manner and with a view to enabling the students to pursue their study of the language for specific purposes. JP724 Japanese Phonology 3 credits A detailed study of the sounds and phonology of the Japanese language, including vowels, consonants, tones, rhythms and intonation, as well as rules that govern the use of standard Japanese. JP725 Seminar on the Structure of Japanese Language 3 credits Pre-requisite: JP623 or with instructor s permission A study of the structure of the Japanese language at various levels, including morphology, sentence and discourse according linguistic theories JP726 Seminar on Japanese Sociolinguistics 3 credits Pre-requisite: JP623 or with instructor s permission A study of a topic on Japanese sociolinguistics, e.g. polite language, respectful language and humble language, idioms and expressions for giving and taking, with a view to gaining an insightful knowledge of Japanese society and of the ways Japanese people use the language. JP727 Special Topic on Japanese Linguistics 3 credits A study of a topic on Japanese phonology, morphology, semantics and syntax in order to gain an insightful knowledge of the language in a systematic manner JP728 Theory and Methods of Translation 3 credits A systematic study of translation theories and practice, including practice in translation from Japanese to Thai, with a view to gaining an insightful knowledge of problems in translation and correct rendering
JP734 Seminar on Teaching Japanese as a Foreign Language 3 credits A study of foreign language teaching theories and analysis of problems commonly found in learning and teaching Japanese in Thailand, with a view to developing some teaching guidelines suitable to the Thai context JP735 Special Topics on Japanese Language Education 3 credits An insightful study of a topic on Japanese language education with a view to developing more effective Japanese language teaching methods (2) Social Sciences and Cultural streams: JP683 Analytical Studies of Japanese Society and Culture 3 credits A study of the structure and nature of Japanese society and culture in various aspects, including perceptions, values, traditions and social conditions JP744 Literature and Japanese Culture and Society 3 credits A study of major literary works of each period reflecting social development, worldviews, values, tastes, esthetics, beliefs and traditions that form the basis of modern-day Japanese culture JP745 Special Topics on Japanese Literature 3 credits An insightful study of a topic on Japanese literature, a genre or literary work to gain a better understanding of the concepts, worldview and ingenuity of the writer and to appreciate the literary influence on Japanese culture and society JP754 Japanese Economy and Society 3 credits A study of overall current Japanese economy in relation to the past development and future directions, including various economic factors that play an important part in the Japanese economic and social development JP755 Japanese Management 3 credits A study of the evolution and philosophy of Japanese-style management, together with specific case studies, covering such areas as personal management, labor relations, quality management, technological management and training. JP764 Socio-Cultural Patterns and Japanese Political System 3 credits A study of the influence of socio-cultural patterns on politics, governance and democratization after World War II
JP765 Japan and the International Community 3 credits A study of foreign relations and foreign policy of postwar Japan focusing on political and economic factors that govern the country s policy formulation and international relations JP774 Special Topics on Social Sciences 3 credits A detailed study of a topic on Japanese-related economy, politics, law or society or a comparative study of Japan and another country on important current or past issues that have a bearing on the present situation JP784 Special Topics on Japanese Culture 3 credits A detailed study of a topic on Japanese culture covering such areas as beliefs, attitudes, values, behaviors and traditions JP794 Comparative Studies of Japanese and Thai Cultures 3 credits A comparative study of behaviors and basic cultural beliefs between Japan and Thailand for a better understanding of the similarities and differences between the two countries Thesis JP800 Thesis 12 credits