ESOPExchange Students from Overseas Program

This course is a survey of ancient to modern Japanese literature. Major literary works are introduced with an emphasis on their literary artistry as well as their historical and cultural importance. Focus is also placed on the unique philosophy that shaped the aesthetic values in Japan throughout the centuries. This topic will be further highlighted by discussing differences in Eastern and Western world views and the meaning of cultural identity in the global world.

Goals:
1. to learn about major literary works in their historical and cultural context
2. to gain deeper understanding of the different philosophical backgrounds that have influenced the way of thinking in Japan and the West
3. to encourage independent thinking and opinion sharing

英語 / English

This course is based on lectures by the instructor featuring the use of written and audio-visual form. In addition, every student will be required to actively participate in class and to submit a short written summary of the designated topic and a final essay. The topics together with the study materials for the summary and essay will be distributed at the beginning of the course.
Comments and explanations about assignments and answers to questions from students are given at the end of each class.

あり / Yes

なし / No

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]：Japanese perception of nature

Definition of nature and corresponding terms in Japanese; Japanese love for nature and its various aspects; Japanese vs. Western concepts of nature

3rd class:[対面/face to face]：Key concepts of Japanese aesthetics

Four aesthetic concepts in Japanese culture and literature; demonstration of these concepts in Essays in Idleness by the Buddhist priest Kenkō

4th class:[対面/face to face]：Historical overview of Japanese culture and literature - Nara and Heian periods

Brief overview of major literary works in their historical and cultural context with a focus on the Nara and Heian periods

5th class:[対面/face to face]：Japanese mythology

Records of Ancient Matters (Kojiki); Japanese mythology vs. Western ideological concepts (Greek mythology and Christianity)

6th class:[対面/face to face]：Poetic devices in classical Japanese poetry

Western metaphors vs. Japanese poetic tradition; various poetic devices used in classical Japanese poetry, such as pillow-words (makurakotoba), pivot-words (kakekotoba), acrostics (oriku), etc.

7th class:[対面/face to face]：Anthologies of Japanese poetry

The most important poetry anthologies and their different characteristics - Collection of Ten Thousand Leaves (Man'yōshū), Collection of Poems Ancient and Modern (Kokinwakashū) and One Hundred Poems by One Hundred Poets (Hyakunin Isshu)

8th class:[対面/face to face]：Japanese Heian prose

Japanese prose in the Heian period and its different genres - tales (monogatari), essays (zuihitsu) and diaries (nikki)

9th class:[対面/face to face]：Japanese Heian writers

Flourishing of women writers in the Heian period with a focus on two prominent figures Murasaki Shikibu and Sei Shōnagon and their works The Tale of Genji (Genji Monogatari) and The Pillow Book (Makura no Sōshi)

10th class:[対面/face to face]：Kamakura period - historical, cultural and literary overview

Kamakura period and one of its representative literary works The Tale of the Heike (Heike monogatari)

11th class:[対面/face to face]：Edo period - historical, cultural and literary overview

Newly emerging Edo city culture and its various aspects

12th class:[対面/face to face]：Samurai spirit

Legendary warrior Miyamoto Musashi and his philosophy in The Book of Five Rings (Gorin no Sho)

13th class:[対面/face to face]：In mysterious and ghostly Japan

Lafcadio Hearn and his Stories and Studies of Strange Things (Kwaidan)

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

Nobel Prize winner Kazuo Ishiguro and his Japanese influences

Each student will be asked to submit a short written summary of the designated topic discussed during the semester and a final essay at the end of the semester. Students are also expected to actively engage in class discussions and to revise all of the provided reading materials. The average study time outside of class per week would be roughly 4 hours.

Readings will be provided by the instructor.

Reference materials will be suggested by the instructor whenever appropriate.

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%; written summary: 35%; final essay: 35%

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

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.

- 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.