Course Meeting Times
Lectures: 2 sessions / week, 1.5 hours / session
Description
This course looks at the way modern Japanese society and culture formed. Through tracing historical sources and discussing both modern and traditional aesthetics and social and political elements, students will create a picture of Japan as it is today. Analysis, scholarly research, and commentary will create a context through which to approach case studies of literary texts (e.g. “Hoichi the Earless”), film (e.g. “Grave of the Fireflies” and “Makiko’s New World”), and art. Students will learn not just about Japanese culture, but how to approach the study of a culture and its development.
Instructor Statements
This course explores contemporary debates about the nature of cultural differences through an in-depth study of Japan. (Read More)
Note Regarding Course Number 21G.592 (The Japanese Language Option)
This course is taught in English. However, there is an option for Japanese language students. This option is 21G.592.
The course number 21G.592 Intro to Japanese Culture (the Japanese language option), is designed for students who are minoring in Japanese, and who have already completed at least roughly 5 semesters of Japanese language coursework. There will be an additional writing assignment (2–3 pages, double-spaced) in Japanese that must include research from at least two Japanese-language articles. This will be in addition to the assigned 21 pages of writing in English.
Writing and Speaking Assignments for a Communication Intensive Course
Communication intensive subjects in the humanities, arts, and social sciences require at least 20 pages of writing divided among a number of assignments, at least one of which is revised and resubmitted. This class requires three (3) major writings assignments that total at least 21 pages in length (double-spaced). A schedule of due dates is given below.
HASS-CI subjects also offer students substantial opportunity for oral expression, through class discussion and student presentations. This class requires all students to participate in a weekly discussion of the assigned reading and films. In addition, each student will make a formal presentation towards the end of the semester, and will receive written feedback and be graded by the professor. The presentation will be a formal 10-minute oral report to present an analysis of course materials in relation to your final project. To guarantee sufficient attention to student writing and substantial opportunity for oral expression, the number of students in this class is limited to 18.
Important Note on Attendance and Class Participation
Your attendance is required at every single class. Except in cases of sickness or unavoidable family emergencies, I expect you in class. If you are going to miss class, I would prefer an email explanation prior to class, but after class is still appreciated. More than two (2) unexcused absences will result in a reduction by 1/3 (e.g., B to a B-) of your final grade. Additional absences will result in additional reductions. I do not give warnings in the event that you are in danger of such a penalty.
Gradings
| ACTIVITIES | PERCENTAGES |
|---|---|
| Microthemes and other 1-page papers | 10% |
| Essay 1 | 10% |
| Essay 2 - First version | 15% |
| Essay 2 - Revision | 10% |
| Final Essay | 25% |
| Oral presentation | 15% |
| Class participation | 15% |
Calendar
| SES # | TOPICS | KEY DATES |
|---|---|---|
| Part I: What is Japanese Culture? Everyday Life and Contemporary Issues | ||
| 1–2 | Introduction to the Course: Brief history Japan and the contemporary study of culture | |
| 3 | Is Japan group-oriented? |
Film: Makiko’s New World (Dir. David Plath)
|
| 4 | Is Japan group-oriented? (continued) | Film: Hoichi the Earless, excerpt from Kwaidan (Dir. Masaki Kobayashi) |
| 5 | Culture of Art, Folktakes, and Performance |
Visit to the Boston MFA and discussion on the representation of Japan at the MFA. Please pay special attention to “Echoes of Heian-Kyo: Court Culture and the Floating World,” some of which depicts the world of the Tale of Genji. |
| 6 | Men, Women, and Change |
Special Event: Hoichi the Earless: Music and Dance Performance (biwa/butoh) Optional: Master class workshop with dancer and musicians |
| 7 | Men, Women, and Change (continued) | Class visit: Video game makers from Akihabara (Japan) |
| 8 | Men, Women, and Change (continued) | Discussion: Bumiller, Kelly/White and topic for Essay 1 |
| 9 | Men, Women, and Change (continued) |
Essay 1 Due Film: Inside Japan, Inc. |
| Part II: Encounters with Cultural Difference | ||
| 10–13 | Diversity of Japan | |
| 14 | Hiroshima: Did the Bomb End the War? | Essay 2 due |
| 15 | Hiroshima: Did the Bomb End the War? (continued) | Film: Grave of the Fireflies (Dir. IsaoTakahata, Studio Ghibli) |
| 16–18 | Contemporary Japan as Global Culture | Essay 2 revision due |
| 19–23 | Student Symposium on Japanese Culture | Presentations |
| 24–25 | Conclusions and Future Questions | Final paper due |
