BA Japanese and Russian

Programme overview

Entry requirements

Entry Requirements are available on the Course Search entry

Programme specification

This programme equips students with the linguistic skills needed to understand a range of written, spoken and broadcast material in Japanese and Russian, and the ability to communicate effectively with Japanese and Russian speakers. The deliberately modern bias of the programme aims to produce graduates with an all-round proficiency in both languages, along with a range of transferable skills and insights.

Students typically begin both languages from scratch, and where this is the case, they follow an intensive language programme in their first year. The programme includes provision for those with prior learning in Russian and Japanese where the first year consolidates this learning in dedicated modules. Students also receive training in crucial academic skills such as critical analysis, argumentation, research and academic writing.

The second year is spent at a university in Japan, and the third year is spent in a Russian-speaking country. In each case students follow a prescribed course of study in language and, where offered, non-language courses. This compulsory period of residence abroad provides students with the unique opportunity to develop language skills in a rich and varied context of use, while engaging with other cultures and societies, thereby fostering intercultural awareness and pluricultural competence, self-reliance and flexibility.

Students return to Leeds in their fourth year to follow advanced upper-level language and non-language modules in both subjects. By the final year of the programme students should be able to interpret relevant material in a wider sense, fitting it into the broader social, political, economic and cultural context of present-day Japan and Russia.

Students are expected to graduate with a strong command of both Japanese and Russian, enriched by immersive experiences in both linguistic regions, and a nuanced understanding of their diverse historical and cultural contexts. Throughout the programme, students will develop valuable interpretative, analytical and digital skills, as well as becoming confident researchers. Students will demonstrate these qualities when they undertake a Final Year Project on a topic of their choice in one of the language subjects they study.

Year 1

[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
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Compulsory Modules

Students will be required to study the following compulsory modules.

Code	Title	Credits	Semester	Pass for Progression
EAST1252	Modern Japan	20	Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
SLAV1120	What is Russia? An Introduction to Russian Studies	20	Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)

Optional Modules

Students with no prior knowledge of Japanese will be required to study the following modules:

Code	Title	Credits	Semester	Pass for Progression
EAST1210	Basic Japanese Language (1)	20	Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
EAST1220	Basic Japanese Language (2)	20	Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)	PFP

Students with prior knowledge of Japanese will, subject to a placement test, be required to study the following modules.

Code	Title	Credits	Semester	Pass for Progression
EAST1280	Intermediate Japanese (1)	20	Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
EAST1281	Intermediate Japanese (2)	20	Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)	PFP

Route A (Russian)
Students entering with A level Russian or equivalent will be required to study the following module:

Code	Title	Credits	Semester	Pass for Progression
SLAV1101	Core Russian Language 1	20	Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)	PFP

Route H (Russian) 
Students entering with heritage knowledge of Russian language will be required to study the following module: 

Code	Title	Credits	Semester	Pass for Progression
SLAV1140	Russian Language for Heritage Speakers	20	Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)	PFP

Route B (Russian) 
Students with no prior knowledge of Russian will be required to study the following modules: 

Code	Title	Credits	Semester	Pass for Progression
SLAV1010	Beginning Russian 1	20	Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
SLAV1020	Beginning Russian 2	20	Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)	PFP

Routes A/H (Russian)
Students with prior knowledge of Russian (taking SLAV1101 or SLAV1140) may take up to 20 credits from the following modules:

Code	Title	Credits	Semester	Pass for Progression
MODL1050	Introduction to Audio-Visual Culture	20	Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
MODL1060	Language: Structure and Sound	20	Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
MODL1070	World Histories	20	Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
MODL1090	Intercultural Competence: Theory and Application	20	Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
MODL1100	Politics, Culture and Society	20	Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
MODL1150	Worlds of Literature	20	Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
MODL1401	Discourse, Culture and Identity	20	Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)

Please note that optional modules run subject to enrolments. An optional module may not run if only a low number of students choose it.

Discovery Modules

Routes A/H (Russian)
Students with prior knowledge of Russian (taking SLAV1101 or SLAV1140) may take up to 20 credits of discovery modules.

Year 2

[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
View Timetable

Students will spend the second year of their programme in Japan.

Compulsory Modules

Students will be required to study the following compulsory module:

Code	Title	Credits	Semester	Pass for Progression
MODL9500	LCS Year Abroad	120	Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)	PFP

Year 3

[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
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Students will spend the third year of their programme in a Russian-speaking country.

Compulsory Modules

Students will be required to study the following compulsory module:

Code	Title	Credits	Semester	Pass for Progression
MODL9501	LCS Year Abroad 2	120	Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)	PFP

Year 4

[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
View Timetable

Compulsory Modules

Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules:

Code	Title	Credits	Semester	Pass for Progression
EAST2719	Japanese 2: Pre-Advanced Communication Skills 1	20	Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
EAST2720	Japanese 2: Pre-Advanced Communication Skills 2	20	Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)	PFP

Optional Modules

Students will be required to study 20 credits from the following optional modules:

Code	Title	Credits	Semester	Pass for Progression
EAST2007	Japan's International Relations	20	Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
EAST2025	Global Korea in Context: Sociocultural and Political Dynamics	20	Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
EAST2480	Japanese Development Assistance in a Globalising World	20	Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
EAST2714	Death in Japanese Society and Culture	20	Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
EAST2715	Japanese Cinema in the World	20	Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
EAST2716	Nature and Technology in Japan: Cultural Images	20	Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)

Please note that optional modules run subject to enrolments. An optional module may not run if only a low number of students choose it.

Route A/B (Russian)
Students who took SLAV1101 or SLAV1020 in Level 1 will be required to study the following module: 

Code	Title	Credits	Semester	Pass for Progression
SLAV2101	Core Russian Language 2	20	Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)	PFP

Please note that optional modules run subject to enrolments. An optional module may not run if only a low number of students choose it.

Route H (Russian)
Students who took SLAV1140 in Level 1 will be required to study the following module: 

Code	Title	Credits	Semester	Pass for Progression
SLAV2230	Applied Russian Language for Heritage Speakers	20	Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)	PFP

Please note that optional modules run subject to enrolments. An optional module may not run if only a low number of students choose it.

Route A/B 
Students taking SLAV2101 will be required to study a minimum of 20 credits and may take up to 40 credits from the following lists of optional modules, from Basket 1 AND Baskets 2/3. (Basket 2 and basket 3 are offered in alternate years).  

Basket 1:

Code	Title	Credits	Semester	Pass for Progression
SLAV2103	Applied Russian Language 2	20	Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)

Please note that optional modules run subject to enrolments. An optional module may not run if only a low number of students choose it.

Basket 2:

Code	Title	Credits	Semester	Pass for Progression
SLAV2111	The Sounds of Russian	20	Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
SLAV2113	The Spaces of Russophone Literature	20	Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)

Please note that optional modules run subject to enrolments. An optional module may not run if only a low number of students choose it.

Basket 3:

The Others of Russian, Soviet and Post-Soviet Culture - 20 credits

Code	Title	Credits	Semester	Pass for Progression
SLAV2120	The Structures of Russian	20	Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)

Please note that optional modules run subject to enrolments. An optional module may not run if only a low number of students choose it.

Route H 
Students taking SLAV2230 will be required to study a minimum of 20 credits and may take up to 40 credits from the following lists of optional modules, from EITHER Basket 2 OR Basket 3. (Basket 2 and Basket 3 are offered in alternate years.)

Basket 2:

Code	Title	Credits	Semester	Pass for Progression
SLAV2111	The Sounds of Russian	20	Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
SLAV2113	The Spaces of Russophone Literature	20	Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)

Please note that optional modules run subject to enrolments. An optional module may not run if only a low number of students choose it.

Basket 3:

The Others of Russian, Soviet and Post-Soviet Culture - 20 credits

Code	Title	Credits	Semester	Pass for Progression
SLAV2120	The Structures of Russian	20	Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)

Please note that optional modules run subject to enrolments. An optional module may not run if only a low number of students choose it.

Students may study up to 20 credits from the following optional modules:

Code	Title	Credits	Semester	Pass for Progression
MODL2001	Linguists into Schools	20	Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
MODL2003	Global Queer Politics and Cultures	20	Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
MODL2015	Black Europe	20	Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
MODL2070	Reception, Transmission and Translation: The Global Circulation of Literature	20	Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
MODL2075	Global Environmental Humanities	20	Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
MODL2250	Digital Communications Across Cultures	20	Not running in 202526

Please note that optional modules run subject to enrolments. An optional module may not run if only a low number of students choose it.

Discovery Modules

Students may take up to 20 credits of discovery modules. 

Year 5

[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
View Timetable

Students are required to take a minimum of 40 credits in each subject. Overall, students must take 100 credits across their two subjects. All students must take 40 credits as a Final Year Project module, which can be taken in - and count towards - either of their two subjects (EITHER Japanese OR Russian).     

The remaining 20 credits should be taken in either of the named language subjects or taken as MODL or Discovery modules. 

Compulsory Modules

Students will be required to study the following compulsory modules:

Code	Title	Credits	Semester	Pass for Progression
EAST3285	Japanese 3: Advanced Communication Skills	20	Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)	PFP
MODL3050	Final Year Project	40	Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
SLAV3101	Core Russian Language 3	20	Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)	PFP

Optional Modules

Students who take their FYP in Russian are required to take a minimum of 20 credits and may take up to 40 credits from the following list of optional modules (from Basket 1 AND Basket 2). 

Students who take their FYP in Japanese may take up to 20 credits from the following list of optional modules (from EITHER Basket 1 OR Basket 2). 

Basket 1:

Advanced Japanese in Context (Social Sciences)  - 20 credits

Code	Title	Credits	Semester	Pass for Progression
EAST3155	Nature, Culture and Technology in Japan	20	Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
EAST3271	East Asia's Regional Political Economy	20	Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
EAST3355	Death and Religion in Japan	20	Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
EAST3525	Globalising China and the Developing World	20	Not running in 202526
EAST3580	Advanced Japanese in Translation	20	Not running in 202526

Please note that optional modules run subject to enrolments. An optional module may not run if only a low number of students choose it.

Basket 2 :

Code	Title	Credits	Semester	Pass for Progression
EAST3045	Southeast Asia: Politics and Economy	20	Not running in 202526
EAST3252	Modern Japanese History	20	Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
EAST3286	Advanced Japanese in Context: Culture and Identity	20	Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
EAST3350	Japanese Cinema in the World	20	Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
EAST3602	Sino-Japanese Relations: Past and Present	20	Not running in 202526
EAST3707	Buddhism: A Lived Tradition	20	Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)

Please note that optional modules run subject to enrolments. An optional module may not run if only a low number of students choose it.

Students who take their FYP in Japanese are required to take a minimum of 20 credits and may take up to 40 credits from the following optional modules, from Basket 1 AND Baskets 2/3. (Baskets 2 and 3 are offered in alternate years). 

Students who take their FYP in Russian may take up to 20 credits from the following optional modules, from EITHER Basket 1 OR Baskets 2/3. (Baskets 2 and 3 are offered in alternate years). 

Basket 1:

Code	Title	Credits	Semester	Pass for Progression
SLAV3114	Russian Advanced Translation	20	Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)

Please note that optional modules run subject to enrolments. An optional module may not run if only a low number of students choose it.

Basket 2:

The Spaces of Russophone Literature  - 20 credits

Code	Title	Credits	Semester	Pass for Progression
SLAV3117	The Sounds of Russian	20	Not running in 202526
SLAV3118	The Spaces of Russophone Literature	20	Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)

Please note that optional modules run subject to enrolments. An optional module may not run if only a low number of students choose it.

Basket 3:

The Others of Russian, Soviet and Post-Soviet Culture - 20 credits

Code	Title	Credits	Semester	Pass for Progression
SLAV3119	The Others of Russian, Soviet and Post-Soviet Culture	20	Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
SLAV3120	The Structures of Russian	20	Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)

Please note that optional modules run subject to enrolments. An optional module may not run if only a low number of students choose it.

Students may study up to 20 credits from the following optional modules: 

Code	Title	Credits	Semester	Pass for Progression
MODL3200	Representing the Holocaust: Transgression and the Taboo	20	Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
MODL3410	Contemporary World Literature	20	Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
MODL3600	Material Cultures and Cultures of Consumption	20	Not running in 202526
MODL3610	Adventures of the Imagination: Crime and the Fantastic Across Continents	20	Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
MODL3620	Decolonial Approaches	20	Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
MODL3630	Social Movements across Cultures	20	Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
MODL3650	Minoritised Languages, Dialects and Cultures from Past to Present	20	Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
MODL3800	Linguists into Schools	20	Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)

Please note that optional modules run subject to enrolments. An optional module may not run if only a low number of students choose it.

Discovery Modules

Students may take up to 20 credits of discovery modules.

Last updated: 24/03/2025 12:15:22

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