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ALIT220
Love and Sex in Japanese Literature
ALIT220 SP
Crosslistings: EAST216
Next Offered in 9798 SP
Romantic and sexual relationships have taken several forms
in Japan: a predictable pattern of anticipation,
fulfillment, frustration, and loss in Japanese courtly love;
formalized "male love" relationships between priests and
youths, and between samurai and youths; conventions that
governed relations between prostitutes (both male and
female) and their clients; "love suicides"; and, in the
twentieth century, Western-inspired conventions, variations
on traditional patterns, and new configurations.
The class will examine representative works of Japanese
literature to discover how these patterns have shaped
Japanese literature of all periods. The assumption, which
the class will test, is that social and sexual conventions
have shaped literature; but we may find that the reverse
is true, or that each has shaped the other.
MAJOR READINGS
Primary and secondary sources on sexuality
and relational patterns in the West. Excerpts from TALE OF
ISE, TALES OF HEICHU, KOKINSHU, and THE TALE OF GENJI.
Readings on Heian society.
Several Noh plays.
Chikamatsu: LOVE SUICIDES AT AMIJIMA
PARTINGS AT DAWN: AN ANTHOLOGY OF JAPANESE GAY LITERATURE
Readings on Kabuki and government control.
Modern fiction by Tanizaki, Kawabata, Mishima, and others.
EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS
Brief weekly papers; a
research term paper.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS
All readings will
be in English translation; no knowledge of Japanese is
required. Some background in literature, East Asian Studies,
or sex and gender studies is desirable. Admission to the
course is by interview with the instructor.
Unless preregistered students attend the first class meeting
or communicate directly with the instructor prior to the
first class, they will be dropped from the class list.
NOTE: Students must still submit a completed Drop/Add form
to the Registrar's Office.
COURSE FORMAT: Discussion Seminar
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Level: UG Credit: 1.00
Gen Ed Area & Dept: HA AL&L
Prerequisites:
None
Last Updated on MAR-10-1997
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