Outline of lecture

Class 1 will provide a general introduction to the course.
Classes 2 and 3 will examine Yanagita Kunio's Tono Monogatari (The Legends of Tono, 1910).
Classes 4 and 5 will examine Natsume Soseki's Michikusa (Grass By the Wayside, 1915).
Classes 6 and 7 will examine Kuki Shuzo's Iki no Kozo (The Structure of Iki, 1930).
Classes 8 and 9 will examine Tanikawa Shuntaro's Tabi (Journeys, 1968).
Classes 10 and 11 will examine Murakami Haruki's Umibe no Kafka (Kafka on the shore 2002).
Classes 12 and 13 will focus on general discussion.
Class 14-15 will summarize the course.

Purpose of lecture

The chief objective of the course is to introduce students to texts fundamental to the construction of modern Japanese culture, and by reading, examining and discussing these texts in class provide students with a introduction to modern Japanese culture and the modern Japanese sensibility. Another objective is to enhance students' ability to express their understanding of these texts through compulsory essays in English.

Plan of lecture

Class 1 will provide a general introduction to the course.
Classes 2 and 3 will examine Yanagita Kunio's Tono Monogatari (The Legends of Tono, 1910).
Classes 4 and 5 will examine Natsume Soseki's Michikusa (Grass By the Wayside, 1915).
Classes 6 and 7 will examine Kuki Shuzo's Iki no Kozo (The Structure of Iki, 1930).
Classes 8 and 9 will examine Tanikawa Shuntaro's Tabi (Journeys, 1968).
Classes 10 and 11 will examine Murakami Haruki's Umibe no Kafka (Kafka on the shore 2002).
Classes 12 and 13 will focus on general discussion.
Class 14-15 will summarize the course.

Textbook and reference

蜿り�嶌遲�
Morton, Leith Modern Japanese Culture: The Insider View. (Melbourne: Oxford University Press, 2003)
Morton, Leith Modernism in Practice (Honolulu: University of Hawai'i Press, 2004)
Morton, Leith The Alien Within (Honolulu: University of Hawai'i Press, 2009)

Related and/or prerequisite courses

As Above

Evaluation

Attendance, written reports, discussion

Comments from lecturer

This course attempts to elucidate an understanding of modern Japanese culture from texts written by leading Japanese intellectuals and writers who have played a major role in constructing their own culture.