This course introduces the various thoughts of "nature (Sizen)" in Japan.
Through interpretation, examination and criticism of discourses on the nature, students will be able to understand historically and comprehensively the concepts of nature in Japan.
At the end of this course, students will be able to:
1) Understand the features and backgrounds of the historical ideas of nature in Japan and their diversity.
2) Obtain basic knowledge of method of discourse analysis used in researches of the intellectual history.
Japan, nature, intellectual history
✔ Specialist skills | ✔ Intercultural skills | Communication skills | ✔ Critical thinking skills | ✔ Practical and/or problem-solving skills |
Lectures with slides and video. Group discussion.
Course schedule | Required learning | |
---|---|---|
Class 1 | Introduction: between "Sizen" and "nature" | Reafin Ynabu Akira "Hon-yaku no Shiso: Sizen to Nature (Thought of the Translation: Shizen and Nature)," 1977. |
Class 2 | Re-examination of so-called Japanese traditional view of nature(1) Buddhism, Taoism | Reading Saigusa Hiroto "Nihon no Shiso Bunka (Thought and culture in Japan)," 1937. |
Class 3 | Re-examination of so-called Japanese traditional view of nature(2) Neo-Confucianism and anti-Neo-Confucianism | Reading Saigusa Hiroto "Nihon no Shiso Bunka (Thought and culture in Japan)," 1937. |
Class 4 | Aspects of view of nature in modern Japan (1) Fever of "natuurkunde" in the 19th century | |
Class 5 | Aspects of view of nature in modern Japan (2) Alpinism and nationalism | Reading Shiga Sigetaka "Nihon Fukei Ron ( Discouse on Japanse landscape)," 1894. |
Class 6 | Aspects of view of nature in modern Japan (3) Watsuji Tetsuro and his "Fudo" | Reading Watsuji Tetsuro "Fudo: Ningengakuteki Kosatsu (the Climate ─ An anthropological consideration)," 1935. |
Class 7 | Aspects of view of nature in modern Japan (4) Imanishi Kinji and the Kyoto School | |
Class 8 | Conclusion |
Nothing required
Course materials are provided during class.
Final paper: 100%
Nothing required