Japanese: Topics in Japanese Linguistics

The course focuses on Japanese and East Asian linguistics. You will learn how researchers study language, what questions they ask, and what methods they use. You will also practice reading, discussing, and writing about linguistic texts – both orally and in writing. The course language is English.

This course is suitable for anyone interested in language, especially Japanese, and who wants to deepen their understanding of how language works and is analysed. It is mandatory for students enrolled in the Master's program in Language and Linguistics with a specialization in Japanese, but it can also be taken as a standalone course.

Course syllabus

The syllabus contains the formal and legal details of the entire course. It’s a legal document outlining the course structure and requirements, intended mainly for administrative use.

Course literature

The course literature listed may be updated up to eight weeks before the course begins.

Teaching mainly consists of seminars and independent work. You will participate in around ten seminars where you discuss texts or listen to lectures on Japanese and other East Asian languages. After each session, you will summarize the key content.

In parallel with the seminars, you will work on your own project. You will choose a linguistic theme together with the course instructor, study the topic, and write a short essay.

You will also give 1–2 oral presentations. Attendance at seminars is mandatory, but if you become ill, for example, there are opportunities to make up for missed sessions.

After completing the course, you will be able to:

• understand and explain key issues in Japanese linguistics
• summarize and discuss linguistic texts
• write academic texts with good structure and clarity
• reflect on your own development as a writer
• critically assess scientific methods and claims.

The course provides a solid foundation for further studies in linguistics and can also be a step toward a future in research, teaching, or other language-related professions.

Entry requirements

To be admitted to the course, students must have passed 120 credits in Japanese, or 90 credits, of which at least 60 credits are from within Linguistics (General Linguistics or Phonetics), or the equivalent.

Selection criteria

Seats are allocated according to: ECTS (HPAV): 100 %.

Tuition fees for non-EU/EEA citizens

Citizens of countries outside:

• The European Union (EU)
• The European Economic Area (EEA) and
• Switzerland

are required to pay tuition fees. You pay an instalment of the tuition fee in advance of each
semester.

Tuition fees, payments and exemptions

Full programme/course tuition fee: SEK 16,875
First payment: SEK 16,875

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Note that you may also need to pay an application fee, or provide proof of exemption.

Application fee

No tuition fees for citizens of the EU, EEA and Switzerland

There are no tuition fees for citizens of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland.