JAPAN 323: Japanese Literature III Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, 10:30-11:20 a.m. MGH 287 Modern Japanese Literature
Natsume Sôseki		Dazai Osamu

Reading Schedule

EXPECTATIONS and GRADING

PREREQUISITES: JAPAN 321 and 322 are highly recommended, though knowledge of pre-modern Japanese literature is not required. Japanese language ability is not a prerequisite for this class; all readings are in English translation.

PARTICIPATION: All class members will be expected to complete all assigned readings before class meets. In addition, each member will be expected to choose one short quote from the story that illustrates something interesting about the story as a whole. During each class, students will be chosen at random to present the quotes they chose and explain why they chose it. These presentations will strongly affect the participation component of the final grade. Other students will be called on to respond to the reading. The ability to make a productive and interesting point when selected will affect one's participation grade, as will voluntary contributions to class in the form of questions and comments. Late arrivals disrupt class; therefore you are expected to arrive on time. Please turn off all beepers and cell phones before class begins.

EXAMINATIONS: Two exams will be given, each made up of identification questions and short essay questions.

GRADING: Your final grades will consider your participation (40%), your mid-term exam (30%), and your final exam (30%). Though the quality of your work is central to your grade, evaluations of that quality will take into consideration individual skills. Effort will be rewarded.

STUDY GROUPS: I encourage students to meet outside of class to discuss the texts. Please note that this does not include dividing up the reading of a story; all students will be expected to have read all of the stories, in full.

CHEATING AND PLAGIARISM: The presentation of another's words and ideas as one's own is a serious offense; violations will be dealt with according to the University codes of conduct, which stipulate sanctions up to and including expulsion.

ACADEMIC ACCOMMODATIONS: I will do everything I can to accommodate students with particular needs. To request such an accommodation, please contact Disabled Student Services, 448 Schmitz, (206) 543-8924 (V/TTY). If you have a letter from Disabled Student Services indicating that you require such accommodation, we can discuss ways to meet those needs.

REQUIRED TEXTS:

1. Natsume Sôseki, Kokoro
2. Tanizaki Jun'ichirô, Naomi
3. Joan E. Ericson, Be a Woman
4. Kawabata Yasunari, Snow Country

RECOMMENDED TEXT:

1. Masao Miyoshi and H.D. Harootunian, Postmodernism and Japan

A copy of each required text is on reserve (2 hour loan, no overnight) in the East Asian Library (PL782.E1 E23 2002). Students with Japanese language ability are encouraged to use the original texts, which can also be found in the library. The remainder of the texts will be available either through direct links or through electronic reserves.

SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIALS:

• Materials marked with an asterisk will be made available as an electronic reserve (in PDF format), which can be accessed through the University of Washington E-reserves. Downloading of the text will imply acceptance of applicable copyright laws.
• In order to read PDF documents, you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is free and can be downloaded here.
• Copies of the two texts are available on reserve in the East Asian Library in Gowen Hall.

Participation, preparation, and worksheets (40%):

All class members will be expected to complete assigned readings before class meets. The participation grade will be particularly affected by your presentation of the text on days when you are randomly selected to summarize the story and present a reading of that story.

Midterm Exam (30%; Monday, 9 May 2005, 10:30-11:20, MGH 287):

The midterm exam will be made up of identification questions and short essay questions. Use the following list (PDF) to guide your preparation for the identification questions. Short essay questions will be quotes from the works; you will be expected to give the name and date of the work the passage comes from, briefly (one sentence) identify the subject matter of the work as a whole, explain what is going on in the quote (the characters, the situation, and where it fits in the larger story), and discuss how the characters and situation represented in the quote engage at least two themes we’ve addressed in this course. You will be expected to explain and support your view of what the passage says about these themes.

Please bring at least one blue book to the exam.

Final Exam (30%; Monday, 4 June 2005, 8:30-10:20, MGH 287):

The final exam will be made up of identification questions and short essay questions. Use the following list (PDF) to guide your preparation for the identification questions. Short essay questions will be quotes from the works; you will be expected to give the name and date of the work the passage comes from, briefly (one sentence) identify the subject matter of the work as a whole, explain what is going on in the quote (the characters, the situation, and where it fits in the larger story), and discuss how the characters and situation represented in the quote engage at least two themes we’ve addressed in this course. You will be expected to explain and support your view of what the passage says about these themes.

Please bring at least one blue book to the exam.

Fair Use:

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Page last updated on August 15, 2008