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2019　Essence of Humanities and Social Sciences30:Japanese Poetry

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Academic unit or major
Humanities and social science courses
Instructor(s)
Kiyama Lorinda 
Class Format
Lecture     
Media-enhanced courses
Day/Period(Room No.)
Wed3-4(W611)  
Group
-
Course number
LAH.S504
Credits
1
Academic year
2019
Offered quarter
1Q
Syllabus updated
2019/3/22
Lecture notes updated
2019/4/1
Language used
English
Access Index

Course description and aims

We will read 8th-20th-century Japanese poetry in English translation. Some questions this course aims to answer include: Why has poetry so often been the expressive mode of choice among Japanese across history? How have the occasions for producing and appreciating poetry changed over time? How do poetic formats develop to suit social and intellectual practices? What themes are taken up by Japanese poets, and what is avoided?

Student learning outcomes

Students will gain an appreciation of Japanese poetry from earliest through modern times. They will come to understand the social and political contexts through which Japanese poetry evolved. A final project will entail translating poems from Japanese into another language, with a vocabulary list and analysis, or composing original poetry using Japanese poetic styles.

Keywords

Japanese poetry in English translation

Competencies that will be developed

Specialist skills ✔ Intercultural skills ✔ Communication skills Critical thinking skills Practical and/or problem-solving skills

Class flow

Each week we will read Japanese poetry in English translation from diverse historical periods and genres. We will discuss the contexts in which poetry was created and continues to be read. Students will translate Japanese poems into another language or will compose poetry in Japanese poetic styles.

Course schedule/Required learning

  Course schedule Required learning
Class 1 Poetry from the 8th century: Nihon shoki, Kojiki, Man'yoshu read poems in preparation for the next class; write reflections on poetry read
Class 2 9th century: Tales of Ise read poems in preparation for the next class; write reflections on poetry read
Class 3 11th century: poetic diary of court lady Izumi Shikibu read poems in preparation for the next class; write reflections on poetry read
Class 4 12th century popular songs: Songs to Make the Dust Dance read poems in preparation for the next class; write reflections on poetry read
Class 5 13th century collection: One Hundred Poems by One Hundred Poets read poems in preparation for the next class; write reflections on poetry read
Class 6 ancient and early modern Chinese poetry by Japanese poets read poems in preparation for the next class; write reflections on poetry read
Class 7 15th ~ 17th centuries: linked verse, short verse, Narrow Road to the North poetic travel diary read poems in preparation for the next class; write reflections on poetry read
Class 8 19th & 20th centuries: short verse, haiku, free verse write reflections on poetry read; submit original poetry or poetry in translation

Textbook(s)

handouts

Reference books, course materials, etc.

From the Country of Eight Islands: An Anthology of Japanese Poetry, translated and edited by Hiroaki Sato and Burton Watson (Columbia University Press, 1986)
Traditional Japanese Literature: An Anthology, Beginnings to 1600, edited by Haruo Shirane (Columbia University Press, 2007)
Early Modern Japanese Literature: An Anthology, 1600-1900, edited by Haruo Shirane (Columbia University Press, 2004)
Columbia Anthology of Modern Japanese Literature, edited by J. Thomas Rimer and Van C. Gessel (Columbia University Press, 2007)

Assessment criteria and methods

preparation for class and participation in discussions 20%
weekly reading reaction papers 40%
original poetry in Japanese poetic styles or translation with a vocabulary list and analysis 40%

Related courses

  • LAH.S507 ： Essence of Humanities and Social Sciences33:Japanese Noh Theater

Prerequisites (i.e., required knowledge, skills, courses, etc.)

ability to read, write, and discuss in high-intermediate level English

Other

No classes will be given on April 10 (Wed) because of the orientation sessions for incoming first-year students.
Second year and above graduate students do not need to attend these orientation sessions.
Date of the first class is April 17 (Wed).

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