Unit Outline
HMJ310
Queering Japan: Popular Culture, Identity, and Nation
Semester 1, 2024
Katsuhiko Suganuma
School of Humanities
College of Arts, Law and Education
CRICOS Provider Code: 00586B

Unit Coordinator
Katsuhiko Suganuma
Email: Katsu.Suganuma@utas.edu.au
 

What is the Unit About?
Unit Description
This unit aims to deconstruct the monolithic perception of Japanese culture and to understand Japan in terms of its relationship to its near and more distant neighbours through Asia and the Pacific. Incorporating the approach of queer studies which places an emphasis on the intersection of gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity, nationalism and ableness, the unit will introduce key elements of contemporary Japan including the emperor system, ultra-nationalism, war responsibility and the position of minority groups in Japanese society. The units are conducted in English and are available to all students with an interest in Japanese society regardless of language ability.
Intended Learning Outcomes
As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.
On completion of this unit, you will be able to:
1.
Identify important aspects of contemporary Japanese society, including the complexity and diversity of its many cultures.
2.
Apply queer method to an argument.
3.
Critically analyse stereotypical and essentialist representations of Japan using a multifaceted (queer) perspective.
4.
Explain key discourses of Japanese national identity, including how these have developed over the past century and how they operate in Japan today.
5.
Communicate using academic writing and presentation skills.
Requisites
REQUISITE TYPE
REQUISITES
Pre-requisite
25 credit points at Introductory level or higher
Anti-requisite (mutual excl)
HMJ408 AND HMJ210
Alterations as a result of student feedback
No alternations made.
 
 

Teaching arrangements
ATTENDANCE MODE
TEACHING TYPE
LEARNING ACTIVITY
CONTACT HOURS
FREQUENCY
On Campus
Lecture (Online)
Lecture
1
Weekly
Tutorial
Tutorial
2
Weekly
Online
Lecture (Online)
Lecture
1
Weekly
Tutorial (Online)
Tutorial
2
Weekly
Attendance / engagement expectations
If your unit is offered On campus, it is expected that you will attend all on-campus and onsite learning activities. This is to support your own learning and the development of a learning community within the unit. If you are unable to attend regularly, please discuss the situation with your course coordinator and/or our UConnect support team.

If your unit is offered Online, it is expected you will engage in all those activities as indicated in the Unit Outline, including any self-directed learning.

If you miss a learning activity for a legitimate reason (e.g., illness, carer responsibilities) teaching staff will attempt to provide alternative activities (e.g., make up readings) where it is possible.
 
 
 
 

How will I be Assessed?
 
For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.
Assessment schedule
ASSESSMENT TASK #
ASSESSMENT TASK NAME
DATE DUE
WEIGHT
LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:
Reading Log and Oral Presentation
Refer to Assessment Description
15 %
LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5
Assessment Task 2:
Discussion List Entry
Refer to Assessment Description
20 %
LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5
Assessment Task 3:
Essay
Refer to Assessment Description
25 %
LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5
Assessment Task 4:
Take Home Exam
Refer to Assessment Description
40 %
LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5
 
Assessment details
    
Assessment Task 1: Reading Log and Oral Presentation
Task Description:
See MyLO site for task description

Task Length:
No more than seven minutes per speaker
Due Date:
Refer to Assessment Description
Weight:
15 %
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Range of knowledge of topic
LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
2
Structure of argument
LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
3
Orderly reference to the work of other scholars
LO2, LO4, LO5
4
Clarity of spoken delivery and ability to hold audience interest
LO2, LO5
 
Assessment Task 2: Discussion List Entry
Task Description:
See MyLO site for task description

Task Length:
Approx. 200 words
Due Date:
Refer to Assessment Description
 

Weight:
20 %
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Accuracy of content
LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
2
Originality of thought
LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
3
Proper expression and punctuation
LO5
 
Assessment Task 3: Essay
Task Description:
See MyLO site for task description

Task Length:
1700 words
Due Date:
Refer to Assessment Description
Weight:
25 %
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Range of knowledge of topic
LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
2
Structure of argument and analysis of factual material presented
LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
3
Reference to the work of other scholars
LO2, LO4, LO5
4
High standard of written expression
LO2, LO5
 
Assessment Task 4: Take Home Exam
Task Description:
See MyLO site for task description

Task Length:
 
Due Date:
Refer to Assessment Description
Weight:
40 %
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Structure of argument and analysis of factual material presented
LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
2
Originality of thought
LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
3
Reference to the work of other scholars
LO2, LO4, LO5
4
High standard of written expression
LO2, LO5
 
 
 

How your final result is determined
To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.
 
Submission of assignments
Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.
 
Requests for extensions
If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.
 
A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.
 
The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.
Late penalties
Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.
 
Review of results and appeals
You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.
 
 
 

Required Resources
Required reading materials
See the MyLO site for unit resources and readings
 
Recommended reading materials
See the MyLO site for unit resources and readings
 
Other required resources