Literature and language of Japan and China

Rintaro GOUYAMA (Graduate School of Letters)

Course Objective
   The purpose of this course is to help students understand the outline of Japanese literature and language. In addition, during the course students will acquire knowledge of ancient Chinese culture, which left a great impact on Japan. The course will be divided into four parts. In the first part, we will discuss the modern Japanese literature from a comparative perspective. In the second part, we will conduct lectures on the history of Japanese literature in a broad sense. In the third part, we will discuss ancient Chinese literature, society and the Japanese literature written in Classical Chinese. The last part will be devoted to discussing Japanese characters, grammar, styles of writing and stereotypes.

Class Plan

1. 10/10
   Introduction, Rintaro GOYAMA
2. 10/17
   Japonisme and the Yellow Peril, Yorimitsu, HASHIMOTO
3. 10/24
   Creativity of Japanese Reception of Western Literature, Takashi KITAMURA
4. 10/31
   The Literature of Balloons--How the Newly-invented Aerostats were depicted in the 19th century Japanese Literature, Rintaro GOYAMA
5. 11/7
   Characteristics of Japanese Ancient Literature, Yousuke KATOU
6. 11/14
   Ueda Akinari and "Tales of Moonlight and Rain (Ugetsu monogatari)", Yoichi IIKURA
7. 11/21
   A Survey of Modern Japanese Literature, Takatoshi IZUHARA
8. 11/28
   Chinese Poetry in the Tang and Song Dynasty, Yoji ASAMI
9. 12/5
   Society and Art of Ancient China, Bunji TAKAHASHI
10. 12/12
    Pre-modern and Early-modern Japanese Literature, Written in Classical Chinese, Rintaro GOYAMA
11. 12/19
    Review, Rintaro GOYAMA
12. 1/16
    How have Japanese writing system"s" developed?, Tsutomu YADA
13. 1/23
    Japanese Language described by the Occidentals, Akihiro OKAJIMA
14. 1/30
    Japanese, Asians, Westerners and Their Languages Represented in Manga and Anime, Satoshi KINSUI
15. 2/6
    Summary, Rintaro GOYAMA

Textbooks
   No particular books will be used.

Grading Policy

• Class participation 40%
• Two term papers to be submitted at the end of the course 60%
• (Term papers should be based on any of the 12 themes introduced (Choose any2))