MODERN JAPANESE LITERATURE

ASIAN 354

An extensive overview of the literature during Japan's early modern or Edo period (1600-1868). Introduction to one of the world's great cultures through its literature during a period that many people consider to be the culmination of a millennium of cultural development prior to Japan's forced opening to the West in the second half of the nineteenth century. Covers snippets from vastly popular works in the major genres of comic books, novellas, essays, poetry, kabuki and puppet plays and so on, concentrating on the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Some key questions in this course include: What is early modernity? What is literature? What is Japanese about these materials?

ASIAN 353

Historical introduction to the important literary works of Japan, generally about courtly romance, idealized warriors, and the Buddhist search for enlightenment. This course will cover the classical period, from the eighth through the mid-nineteenth century; most material comes from the particularly wonderful tenth through sixteenth centuries. Not open to students with credit for E ASIAN 353 prior to Fall 2019.

ASIAN 253

An introduction to the culture, life-styles and thought of the Japanese people, with frequent reference to their history, literature and art. Not open to students with credit for E ASIAN 253 prior to Fall 2018

ASIAN 573

Extensive readings in early Modern or Classical Japanese literature, and discussion of visual-verbal content. Students may repeat this course if the topic is different.

ASIAN 563

Extensive readings in modern Japanese literature and discussion of literary content.