Literature and language of Japan and China

Masao Saito (Graduate School of Letters)

Course Objective
   The course will be divided into four parts.
   In the first part, we will discuss the modern Japanese literature from acomparative 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 CIassical Chinese. The last part will be devoted to discussing Japanese characters, grammar, styles of writing and stereotypes.

Learning Goals
   The purpose of this course is to help students understand the outline of Japanese literature and language. ln addition, during the course students will acquire knowledge of ancient Chinese culture, which left a great impacton on Japan.

Class Plan

	Theme	Content
Week 1	Introduction	Introduction,Masao SAITO
Week 2	Comparative Literature I	Japonisme and the Yellow Peril,Yorimitsu HASHIMOTO
Week 3	Comparative Literature II	Creativity of Japanese Reception of Westem Literature,Takashi KlTAMURA
Week 4	Japanese Literature I	Characteristics of Japanese Ancient Literature,Yousuke KATOU
Week 5	Japanese Literature II	The world of kuzushi-ji (Japanese cursive characters),Yoichi IIKURA
Week 6	Japanese Literature III	A Survey of Modern Japanese Literature,Takatoshi lZUHARA
Week 7	Japanese Literature IV	Book Cover of Modern Japanese Novel In Today,Masao SAITO
Week 8	Japanese Literature V	Osamu DAZAI and "Run,Meros,Run",Masao SAITO
Week 9	Japanese Literature VI	Sakunosuke ODA and Modern Osaka,Masao SAITO
Week 10	Japanese Literature VII	Review,Masao SAITO
Week 11	Chinese Literature I	Chinese Poetry in the Tangand Song Dynasty,Yoji ASAMI
Week 12	Chinese Literature II	Society and Art of Ancient China, Bunji TAKAHASHI
Week 13	Japanese Historical Linguistics I	Japanese Language described by the Occidentals,Akihiro OKAJIMA
Week 14	Japanese Historical Linguistics II	Japanese,Asians,Westerners and Their Languages Represented in Manga and Anime,Satoshi KlNSUI
Week 15	Summary	Summary,Masao SAITO

Independent Study Outside of Class
   Indicate in the first lesson

Textbooks
   No particular books will be used

Grading Policy
   Class participation 40%. Two term papers to be submittes at the end of the course 60%. (Term papers should be based on any of the 12 themes introduced (Choose any 2).)