Extended Essay in Japanese Studies

• Credit value: 30 credits at Level 6
• Convenor and tutor: Marcos Centeno
• Prerequisite: Japanese 3
• Assessment: a 7000-word extended essay (100%)

This module provides an opportunity for you to work on your own initiative, and to gain advanced training in academic research and writing. Undertaken during the final year, it involves researching and writing up a long essay, on a topic which you have already studied and want to study further. Use of primary sources and Japanese language sources is encouraged.

Writing an extended essay is particularly useful if you are thinking of doing postgraduate study, or taking employment involving some kind of research component.

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• identify relevant sources of material
• evaluate the selected material competently
• reach balanced conclusions, and where possible give their implications for wider theoretical issues and practical problems
• identify the limitations and possible areas for development within the public body of knowledge pertaining to the problem under investigation
• situate an extended specialist argument within a broader theoretical context
• demonstrate an understanding of how to develop and present an argument
• present your research in a written format appropriate for an academic essay
• demonstrate independent and critical thinking about an agreed problem
• manage your own learning
• work independently.