JAPANESE 61 Japanese Literature and the Challenges of Modernity
 
Japanese 61 Course Syllabus, Fall 2001
Instructors and office hours
James Dorsey
Bartlett 301A (Tel: 646-1346)
Office Hours: 10:15~11:15, Tues. & 2:00~3:00, Wed. or by appointment


Description
This course provides a survey of important works of twentieth century Japanese fiction and cultural criticism. The overall purpose of the course is to explore the manner in which modern Japanese writers have responded to the challenges faced by all humankind in a twentieth century marked by industrialization, internationalization, war, technology, and capitalism. Topics dealt with include: the formation of a "modern" literature, manipulations of the native tradition, constructions of the self, the quest for new forms of love, definitions of Japan and its relationship to the world, writers and the wartime state, literature of the atomic bomb, and colonial and post-colonial literature. For this course, no previous knowledge of Japan is assumed and no knowledge of the Japanese language is required.


Required Texts (available at the Dartmouth Bookstore):
  • GOOSSEN, Theodore, ed. The Oxford Book of Japanese Literature.
  • MURAKAMI, Haruki. Wild Sheep Chase.
  • YOSHIMOTO, Banana. Kitchen.
  • TANIZAKI, Jun'ichirô. Some Prefer Nettles.
  • TANIZAKI, Jun'ichirô. In Praise of Shadows.
  • KAWABATA, Yasunari. Snow Country.
  • IBUSE, Masuji. Black Rain.
  • AKUTAGAWA Ryûnosuke. The Essential Akutagawa (ed. by Seiji M. Lippit).
  • Course Reader (available at Wheelock Books).

Recommended Text:

  • Kenneth B. Pyle, The Making of Modern Japan, 2nd ed. (Lexington, MA: D.C. Heath and Co., 1996).

Other (will be available ):

  • The Course Reader.
  • James Dorsey, "Culture, Nationalism, and Sakaguchi Ango," Journal of Japanese Studies (summer 2001).


Evaluation
- Class Participation 10%

 A good deal of class time will be devoted to a discussion of the texts. Students are expected to have read the texts and thought about them by the time they arrive in class. Participation means just that--contributing to the class discussions--not simply attending class sessions.

- Short Essays (four, 2~3 pages each) 30%

 At four points during the quarter (10/15, 10/29, 11/12, & 11/30) students will be required to submit a short (2 ~ 3 pages) essay on a topic and text(s) discussed in the class to date.

- Longer Essays (two, 5~6 pages) 30%

 Students will be required to re-write/ expand/re-direct/improve two of their short essays, in consultation with the instructor.

- Final Essay (10-12 pages) 30%

 Students will be required to compose a longer essay on a topic developed in consultation with the instructor.


Honor Code
In the context of this class, the honor code will be interpreted in the following manner: all worked turned in for grading is to be the studentıs own, i.e. done without the assistance, editing, or correction of others. All intellectual debts are to be acknowledged by means of proper citation. See the instructor if clarification is desired.


Disability Statement
I encourage students with disabilities, including "invisible" disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disabilities, and psychiatric disabilities to discuss with me after class or during my office hours (as soon as possible) appropriate accommodations that might be helpful to them.


Blitzmail Policy
Blitzmail is a great way to keep one another posted on late-breaking developments. It can also eat up your whole day. As a rule, I check blitzmail only once a day, and never on weekends. Keep this in mind when deadlines are approaching, and don't assume that I'll get and respond to your messages immediately.


 
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Last Modified November 7, 2000, by Yukari.