JK15003Research 1~3-Seminar (KBR)(Lecture)
| Numbering Code | G-LET36 6JK15 LE36 | Year/Term | 2022 ・ Second semester | |
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| Number of Credits | 2 | Course Type | special lecture | |
| Target Year | Target Student | |||
| Language | English | Day/Period | Mon.3 | |
| Instructor name | YUKAWA SHIKIKO (Institute for Liberal Arts and Sciences Associate Professor) | |||
| Outline and Purpose of the Course |
The aim of this course is to seek and discuss Japanese values, ideas and attitudes toward certain universal themes, such as love, death, human nature and aesthetic beauty through a close reading of selected representative works of classical Japanese literature. We will use well-known English translations of the Manyoshu, Taketori Monogatari, Ise Monogatari and Tsurezuregusa, among other works, as our texts. Study Focus: Knowledge, Belief and Religion. Modules: Mobility & Research 1; Mobility & Research 2; Research 3. |
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| Course Goals |
・To become familiar with the content of selected works of classical Japanese literature and the sociohistorical background of the period within which each work was written. ・To grasp underlying themes and literary concepts which are critical to a deeper understanding of the selected works. ・To be able to recognize and understand major literary devices and techniques of expression and their function. ・To present critical analysis of a work of classical Japanese literature of the student's choice in a written paper. |
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| Schedule and Contents |
The course schedule is as follows. Revisions will be made as needed based on the progress of the course. Weeks 1～3 Depictions of death in classical Japanese literature: methods of expression in Manyoshu elegies Weeks 4～6 Character development in classical Japanese literature: a superhuman heroine's humanization in the Tale of the Bamboo Cutter Weeks 7～9 Love in classical Japanese literature (1): Tales of Ise and "kokoro nasake aramu otoko" Week 10 Midterm presentations on final report Weeks 11～14 Love in classical Japanese literature (2): "long autumn nights" and "empty vows"; Yoshida Kenko's views on love in Tsurezuregusa Week 15 Wrap-up session and feedback We will devote 3～4 class sessions (lecture session→reading session→discussion session) to each theme. 【Lecture Session】 A general overview of the selected work(s) of literature and background information on the sociohistorical period will be provided. The instructor will also address literary concepts, social practices and customs as well as Japanese values and standards of the period as appropriate. 【Reading Session】 We will conduct a careful reading of selected passages of the text in translation. We will examine fundamental terms, the structure and/or development of each work, the writing style of the author and techniques of expression used. We will consider their function and effectiveness as we proceed with our reading and interpretation. 【1～2 Discussion Sessions】 With respect to each theme, the class will be assigned two to three questions to consider and discuss at length as a group. For each of the themes covered during the semester, students will be required to write and submit a "comprehension essay" (100-150 words) summarizing the main points covered, points that needed further explanation, and any other comments concerning that topic. |
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| Evaluation Methods and Policy |
To JDTS/MATS students: This is course can be taken as either a reduced (4 ECTS) or full seminar (8 ECTS). Please indicate your ECTS requirement to the instructor. For students taking this course as a "full seminar," assessment will be based on the following [1]～[4]. [1] Outline and working bibliography for oral presentation and term paper (20%) [2] Oral presentation on development of term paper（20%) [3] Term paper (40%) [4] Submission of comprehension essays and contribution to discussion sessions （20%） Students are encouraged to utilize the instructor's office hours throughout the semester to discuss any specific concerns they may have regarding their paper. Before enrolling in this course, students should carefully note the following: One of the main objectives of the term paper for this course is for students to acquire the ability to analyze objectively the work of classical Japanese literature selected. This assignment is not intended as an "essay" for students to express their subjective opinions or personal preferences with regard to the literary work in question. Students will be expected to come up with a viable hypothesis and write a logical and objective paper that is based on careful and close reading of the text and amply supported by evidence cited from the literature. For students taking this course as a "reduced seminar," assessment will be based on the following [1]～[3]. [1] Outline and working bibliography for oral presentation (20%) [2] Oral presentation (60%) [3] Submission of comprehension essays and contribution to discussion sessions （20%） |
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| Course Requirements |
Completion of modules “Introduction to Transcultural Studies,” “Skills for Transcultural Studies,” “Focus 1” and “Focus 2” Enrollment is limited to 5 students. Students in the Heidelberg Centre for Transcultural Studies program will be given priority. It is recommended that students come into the class having fulfilled one of the following: 1) The student has taken a course in academic writing in English at the undergraduate or graduate level. 2) The student has written an academic paper or report in English for an undergraduate or graduate level course in the past (in any field of study). |
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| Study outside of Class (preparation and review) |
1) The translation for each reading piece will be distributed in class a week before the reading session. Students should read the entire handout before coming to class. 2) For each of the themes covered during the semester, students will be assigned a "comprehension essay" (100-150 words), in which they should summarize the main points covered, points that needed further explanation, and any other impressions they have about the subject material. Details of submission format and due date to be announced in class. 3) Guidelines for preparing the outline and working bibliography, oral presentation and term paper will be handed out in class in November. Students are encouraged to begin exploring questions to address in their presentation/paper, and begin reading a translation of the work(s) they wish to use and any other essential sources as soon as possible. Students should start this process as soon as they receive the guidelines and are encouraged to consult the instructor should they have any questions. |
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| Textbooks | Textbooks/References | Handouts and required reading material will be provided in class. | ||
| References, etc. |
1000 Poems from the Manyoshu: The Complete Nippon Gakujutsu Shinkokai Translation (Dover Publications) ISBN:978-1306338257 Cranston, Edwin A. (translator), A Waka Anthology: The Gem-Glistening Cup (Stanford University Press) ISBN:978-0804731577 Kawabata, Yasunari (translator, modern Japanese) and Keene, Donald (translator, English), The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter (Kodansha International) ISBN:978-4770023292 McCullough, Helen Craig (translator), Classical Japanese Prose: An Anthology ISBN:Stanford University Press 978-0804719605 McCullough, Helen Craig (translator), Kokin Wakashu: The First Imperial Anthology of Japanese Poetry (Stanford University Press) ISBN:978-0804712583 Keene, Donald (translator), Essays in Idleness: The Tsurezuregusa of Kenko (Tuttle Publishing) ISBN:978-4805306314 |
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