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Academic Year 2005/2006


The Classics Reconsidered
ALIT 201 FA

Crosslistings:
WMST 201
EAST 210

The aim of this course is twofold: First, it will introduce students to a variety of texts in different genres from 8th- to early 19th-century Japan, including THE TALE OF GENJI, poetry collections, Buddhist tales, and urban narratives. Second, it will consider literature critically by asking questions such as: How do texts formulate and propagate a sense of national identity, and why? How do issues of gender and sexuality figure into our readings of these texts? What are the ways in which religious beliefs, ritual, and performance converge? How do we define popular culture? Is it subversive, complicit, or both? We will also examine the context within which the canon of premodern Japanese literature has been shaped and studied in both Japan and the United States.

MAJOR READINGS

Various compilers, KOKINSHU
Murasaki Shikibu, THE TALE OF THE GENJI
THE PILLOW BOOK OF SEI SHONAGON
TALES OF TIMES NOW PAST
Ihara Saikaku, GREAT MIRROR OF MALE LOVE / LIFE OF AN AMOROUS WOMAN
Shikitei Sanba, THE BATHS
Noh plays
Linked verse and haiku

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Weekly response papers, midterm exam, and a final paper.

COURSE FORMAT: Lecture/Discussion

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD    Credit: 1    Gen Ed Area Dept: HA AL&L    Grading Mode: Graded   

Prerequisites: NONE

SECTION 01

Instructor(s): Kawashima,Terry    
Times: ..T.R.. 01:10PM-02:30PM;     Location: FISK314;
Reserved Seats:    (Total Limit: 25)
SR. major: 5   Jr. major: 4
SR. non-major: 4   Jr. non-major: 4   SO: 4   FR: 4

Special Attributes:
Curricular Renewal:    Speaking, Writing, Focused Inquiry Course
Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-30-2006


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