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LIT300LF(文学 / Literature 300)
Japanese Literature

KEVIN THOMAS NIEHAUS

Class code etc
Faculty/Graduate school Exchange Students from Overseas Program
Attached documents
Year 2024
Class code A8526
Previous Class code
Previous Class title
Term 秋学期授業/Fall
Day/Period 金3/Fri.3
Class Type
Campus 市ヶ谷 / Ichigaya
Classroom name BT0506
Grade
Credit(s) 2
Notes
Class taught by instructors with practical experience
SDGs CP
Urban Design CP
Diversity CP
Learning for the Future CP
Carbon Neutral CP
Chiyoda Campus Consortium

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Outline and objectives

This class considers the development of modern Japanese literature through an examination of canonical works from the Meiji to the Heisei periods. This class has two major objectives. On the one hand, this class will familiarize students with many major works of modern Japanese literature (from 1868 onward) and the literary, cultural, and socio-historical frameworks through which scholars have analyzed them. On the other hand, this class will critically examine the process of canon formation, asking how and why certain fictional texts became the object of critical focus while others were conspicuously neglected.

Goal

Goals:

1. Become familiar with canonical texts in modern Japanese literature
2. Become conversant in contemporary methods of literary analysis
3. Encourage independent thinking and the exchange of opinions

Default language used in class

英語 / English

Method(s)(学期の途中で変更になる場合には、別途提示します。 /If the Method(s) is changed, we will announce the details of any changes. )

Because this class is discussion based, students will be expected to have read and thought about the texts before attending class each week. To facilitate these discussions, students will be required to submit a short reaction paper before class. Additionally, once per semester, students will also work in a group to analyze a scholarly article or book chapter related to the week's reading and present it to the class. Comments on reaction papers and presentations will be provided through Hopii.

Active learning in class (Group discussion, Debate.etc.)

あり / Yes

Fieldwork in class

なし / No

Schedule

授業形態/methods of teaching:対面/face to face

※各回の授業形態は予定です。教員の指示に従ってください。

1st class:[対面/face to face]:Introduction

Introduction to course; explanation of requirements and goals

2nd class:[対面/face to face]:Literature as Translation; Literature as Progress

Futabatei Shimei, Drifting Clouds (Selections)

3rd class:[対面/face to face]:Spanning the Gap from Premodern to Modern

Higuchi Ichiyo, "Child's Play"

4th class:[対面/face to face]:The Modern Subject

Mori Ogai "The Dancing Girl"

5th class:[対面/face to face]:Literature and the Canon

Selections from texts by Natsume Soseki

6th class:[対面/face to face]:Japanese Naturalism

Tayama Katai's "The Quilt"(First half)

7th class:[対面/face to face]:Japanese Naturalism

Tayama Katai's "The Quilt" (Second Half) and Shimazaki Toson The Broken Commandment (Short Excerpt)

8th class:[対面/face to face]:Early Women's Writings and Feminist Thought

Tamura Toshiko's "Lifeblood"

9th class:[対面/face to face]:Japanese Modernism and Erotic Grotesque Nonsense

Edogawa Ranpo, "The Human Chair"

10th class:[対面/face to face]:The Culture of Postwar Defeat

Kojima Nobuo, "The American School"

11th class:[対面/face to face]:Representations of Blackness in Japan

Oe Kenzaburo, "Prize Stock"

12th class:[対面/face to face]:Burakumin and Japan's Outsiders

Nakagami Kenji, "Gravity's Capital"

13th class:[対面/face to face]:Japan, Consumerism, and the Bubble Era

Murakami Haruki, "TV People"

14th class:[対面/face to face]:Japan in the World

Tawada Yoko, "Where Europe Begins"

Work to be done outside of class (preparation, etc.)

Each student will be asked to submit a very short written response paper to each week's reading before attending class. Once per semester, students will also be required to present, in a group, on a scholarly article or book chapter related to the week's reading. Students will be also be required to write a final essay on a topic to be selected by the student in consultation with the professor. The study time outside of class each week will average roughly 4 hours.

Textbooks

Readings will be provided by the instructor.

References

Reference materials for group presentations will be decided upon in consultation with the professor.

Grading criteria

Class attendance and oral participation are expected; failure to
participate in class will result in the subtraction of marks from the
total. Grading criteria: active participation in discussions and assignments (every week): 30%; group presentation: 30% final essay: 40%

Changes following student comments

There are no student comments that would require major changes to the course.

Equipment student needs to prepare

The materials will be distributed through The Learning Management System Hoppii. Please prepare an electronic device (laptop/tablet) to view the materials during the class or print the materials beforehand and bring them to class.

Others

- The schedule and detail may be subject to change.
- Detailed course descriptions, including the assignments, will be provided on the first day of the class.