Description | |||
Course: |
Irony has been identified in the Western tradition as both a
rhetorical/literary trope and a worldview. Similar literary and
philosophical phenomena are evident in the Japanese tradition, and
yet the historical and cultural context differs greatly. In this
course we will explore this context and attempt to come to an
understanding of the roots, manifestations, and categories of
irony in Japan. The questions we will examine include: What do we
really mean by the word "irony"? What is the connection between
ironic modes of thought and language? Is this concept universal,
or does the Japanese tradition represent something unique? What
is the relationship between ironic modes of literary expression
and their historical moment? The readings for the course will be of four types:
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Requirements: |
The course will be conducted in a seminar format, and student
participation is thereby required for its success. Students are
expected to come to class prepared to discuss the readings and
ready to voice an opinion on them. There will be a number of homework assignments throughout the course. Most of these will be a matter of exploring/researching a question which arises in discussion, and presenting one's findings to the class. Students will be required to write a twenty to twenty-five page research paper dealing with material covered during the quarter. The precise focus of the paper is left to the student, but all are encouraged to consult closely with the instructor before deciding on a topic. Papers should include some degree of consultation with original Japanese language sources.
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Texts: |
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