Culture, Society, and Language in Asia
UndergraduateUNE-LANG3062026
Course information for 2026 intake View information for 2025 course intake
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Enrol by
- 22 Feb 2026
- Entry requirements
- Part of a degree
- Duration
- 16 weeks
- Price from
- $2,274
- Upfront cost
- $0
- Loan available
- FEE-HELP available
Culture, Society, and Language in Asia
About this subject
Upon completion of this subject, students will be able to:
- Critically analyse and comprehend texts across a range of genres relating to the socio-cultural context of the target language at an advanced level;
- Critically evaluate and analyse scholarship and authentic materials around issues which are central to the topic;
- Apply extended knowledge of the contextually embedded social and cultural issues relevant to the target language;
- Demonstrate independent research skills, and
- Demonstrate advanced communication skills in presenting arguments in a manner appropriate to the content and the target sociolinguistic context.
- Topics will be available to enrolled students in the subjects Learning Management System site approximately one week prior to the commencement of the teaching period.
In this subject you will develop and apply in-depth sociocultural knowledge relevant to the language strand you are studying (Chinese, Indonesian, or Japanese).
Using a wide range of real-world, culturally relevant material and academic literature, this unit enables you to build critical-thinking skills and communicative competence to navigate contemporary cross-cultural contexts.
For second language learners, the contextual knowledge intersects with the development of advanced linguistic skills to enhance your proficiency.
To ensure the topic you enrol in is appropriate for your Program of Study, you must apply for permission to enrol at least three weeks prior to the commencement of the relevant trimester.
2026 topics
- Trimester 1
- Japanese:
Japanese for Everyday Life. Please note: completion of JAPN202 or equivalent will be required for unit coordinator permission for enrolment in this topic.
This subject introduces advanced authentic Japanese written and spoken texts or genres commonly used by native speakers in their daily lives. Students will analyse text structures through genre analysis, enabling them to understand rhetorical moves and accurately reproduce similar texts. These activities will enhance students' sociolinguistic and sociocultural awareness, communication abilities, and independent research skills in discourse analysis. The subject aims to help students feel more confident when travelling or living in Japan.
- There are no Chinese or Indonesian topics available in LANG306 in Trimester 1.
- Trimester 2
- Indonesian:
- Islam, Society and the State in Contemporary Indonesia
- Indonesian:
This subject examines the complex interplay between Islam, society, culture, and politics from the pre-colonial to the post-colonial era. It critically analyses the key concepts and issues surrounding Indonesian Islam, exploring its diverse manifestations from class structures to various ideological movements. This subject also investigates the distinctive characteristics of Indonesian Islam, its interactions with the state, domestic influences, and transnational forces, as well as its evolving role in contemporary political dynamics both within Indonesia and on the global stage.
- Japanese:
- Japanese Popular Culture
This subject explores contemporary Japanese popular culture through the topic areas of anime, manga, popular music, television and the spread of Japanese popular culture abroad. On successful completion of this subject, you will have some understanding of the role popular culture plays in everyday life in Japan and ways in which ideas and values are communicated through it. This subject will assist you in learning the Japanese language to develop an understanding of Japanese culture. However, no proficiency in the Japanese language is required and non-language students will be able to gain a foundational knowledge of Japanese popular culture. You will study excerpts of various authentic examples as well as the academic literature in the field.
- There is no Chinese topic available in LANG306 in Trimester 2.
- Trimester 1
Assessment 1: Chinese Discipline - Reflective comprehension task. 1500 words (equivalent). Relates to Learning Outcomes 1-5;
Assessment 2: Chinese Discipline - Online Assessment. 2500 words (equivalent). Relates to Learning Outcomes 1-3, 5;
Assessment 3: Chinese Discipline - Comprehension Task. 1000 words (equivalent). Relates to Learning Outcomes 1-3, 5.
Assessment 1: Indonesian Discipline - Minor Essay. 2000 words (equivalent). Relates to Learning Outcomes 1-5;
Assessment 2: Indonesian Discipline - Major Essay. 3000 words (equivalent). Relates to Learning Outcomes 1-5;
Assessment 3: Indonesian Discipline - Online Participation. 1000 words (equivalent). Relates to Learning Outcomes 1-3, 5.
Assessment 1: Japanese Discipline: Online Assessment. 1000 words (equivalent). Relates to Learning Outcomes 1-3, 5;
Assessment 2: Japanese Discipline - Minor Essay. 1500 words (equivalent). Relates to Learning Outcomes 1-5;
Assessment 3: Japanese Discipline - Major Essay. 2000 words (equivalent). Relates to Learning Outcomes 1-5.- Assessment 1: Chinese Discipline - Reflective comprehension task. 1500 words (equivalent). (30%)
- Assessment 1: Indonesian Discipline - Minor Essay. 2000 words (equivalent). (30%)
- Assessment 1: Japanese Discipline - Online Assessment. 1000 words (equivalent). (15%)
- Assessment 2: Chinese Discipline - Online Assessment. 2500 words (equivalent). (50%)
- Assessment 2: Indonesian Discipline - Major Essay. 3000 words (equivalent). (50%)
- Assessment 2: Japanese Discipline - Minor Essay. 1500 words (equivalent). (35%)
- Assessment 3: Chinese Discipline - Comprehension task. 1000 words (equivalent). (20%)
- Assessment 3: Indonesian Discipline - Online Participation. 1000 words (equivalent). (20%)
- Assessment 3: Japanese Discipline - Major Essay. 2000 words (equivalent). (50%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
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Entry requirements
Part of a degree
To enrol in this subject you must be accepted into one of the following degrees:
Elective
- UNE-MDL-DIP-2026 - Diploma in Modern Languages
Others
Candidature in the Diploma in Modern Languages.
This is a repeatable subject. However, topics are not repeatable and the subject cannot be undertaken more than once in any one teaching period.
To enrol in this subject, students must have completed one of the following (depending on the topic intended to study):
Chinese topics: CHIN202 or equivalent
Indonesian topics: any two units (Indonesian)
Japanese topics: any two units (Japanese).
Enrolment is also subject to permission of the coordinator (or delegate). Students must apply for permission to enrol at least three weeks prior to the commencement of the relevant Trimester.
Additional requirements
- Equipment requirements - Headphones or speakers (required to listen to lectures and other media). Headset, including microphone (highly recommended). Webcam (may be required for participation in virtual classrooms and/or media presentations).
- Software requirements - It is essential for students to have reliable internet access in order to participate in and complete your units, regardless of whether they contain an on campus attendance or intensive school component. For additional information please visit UNE Hardware Requirements: https://www.une.edu.au/current-students/support/it-services/hardware
- Other requirements -
Textbook requirements:
Textbook information is not available until approximately 8 weeks prior to the commencement of the Teaching period.
Students are expected to purchase prescribed material.
Textbook requirements may vary from one teaching period to the next.
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.
Related degrees
Once you’ve completed this subject it can be credited towards one of the following courses
UndergraduateUNE-MDL-DIP