- Lecturer
- Omura Azusa
- Place
- Fri3-4(W9-203SeminarRoom)
- Credits
- Lecture2 Exercise0 Experiment0
- Code
- 66065
- Syllabus updated
- 2015/2/12
- Lecture notes updated
- 2015/2/12
- Semester
- Fall Semester
Outline of lecture
This course offers a comparative study on modern Japanese culture from various perspectives, particularly focusing on the influence of Western culture. Students are required to attend all classes and submit two essays in English. All texts are read and discussion is conducted in English.
Purpose of lecture
The chief objective of the course is to consider the relationship between Japanese culture and Western culture. By examining descriptions of Western culture in Japanese literature, students will discover how the Japanese have perceived and transformed Western culture into their own culture through modernization.
Another objective is to explore how Western people have observed Japan and the difference between images of 窶traditional Japan窶 and 窶藁odern Japan窶 in modern Western literature. The study of Western people窶冱 attitudes toward 窶藁odern Japan窶 will help students to understand present-day Japan as a part of the international society.
This course will encourage students to understand Japanese culture in a comparative way.
Plan of lecture
Class 1 General Introduction to the Course
Class 2 The Background of Modern Japan
Class 3 The Image of 'Traditional Japan' in the West, Yanagita Kunio, Tono monogatari (The Legends of Tono)
Class 4 Yanagita Kunio, Tono monogatari (The Legends of Tono)
Class 5 The Experience of Western Culture, Natsume Soseki, Michikusa (Grass by the Wayside)
Class 6 Natsume Soseki, Michikusa (Grass by the Wayside)
Class 7 Western Culture in Modern Japanese Literature, Tanizaki Jun窶冓chiro, Aoi hana (Aguri)
Class 8 Tanizaki Jun窶冓chiro, Aoi hana (Aguri)
Class 9 East and West during World War II 1
Class 10 East and West during World War II 2
Class 11 The Translation of Western Literature, Yoshimoto Banana, Kitchen
Class 12 Yoshimoto Banana, Kitchen
Class 13 Images of Modern Japan, Murakami Haruki, Umibe no Kafka (Kafka on the Shore)
Class 14 Murakami Haruki, Umibe no Kafka (Kafka on the Shore)
Class 15 Summary
Textbook and reference
Yanagita Kunio, Tono monogatari (The Legends of Tono)
Natsume Soseki, Michikusa (Grass by the Wayside)
Tanizaki Jun窶冓chiro, Aoi hana (Aguri)
Yoshimoto Banana, Kitchen
Murakami Haruki, Umibe no Kafka (Kafka on the Shore)
Related and/or prerequisite courses
None.
Evaluation
The course evaluation is based on attendance, participation in discussion and two essays. Students are required to submit two essays discussing topics that will be given later.
