JAPN 402 - Japanese Literature |
Spring 2019
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Course Description This course aims to develop an advanced level of communication by interpreting and analyzing various aspects of modern Japanese literature, including short stories and significant works by authors of the modern period. Taught in Japanese. (Prereq: JAPN 300 or equivalent) Units: 4 Course Files
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Reflective Narrative This course is a must in terms of content, I was able to learn about the famous literary works of Japan by looking at various writing styles, genres, and time periods within the last century. Not only were students able to use their language comprehension, but were able to challenge themselves in reading a large variety of topics from familial concepts, existential symbolism, and societal criticism in new and interesting ways that the english language wouldn’t be used to having. By studying Japanese Literature students were able to complete MLO1, Japanese Language and Communication and MLO2, Japanese Culture. While we studied each work carefully and examined its deeper meaning, we also enhanced our basic study habits by introducing a myriad of new words that could be used when discussing textiles, sci-fi novels, and even Japanese cuisine in an everyday setting. Students were also able to present on individual artists and discuss their major works in literature. I was lucky enough to learn about other student’s author and my own, Ishikawa Takuboku, and discover his narrative style and his major work Ichiaku no suna, a handful of sand. Students even pushed beyond basic forms of literature and dived into poems, haikus, tanka, and allegorical literature. We even were able to create our own narratives by replicating these forms to write our own stories and ideas. The Japanese Literature course well added to previous Japanese Language and Culture courses, often discussing societal and cultural values within each story, book, and novel. It immensely contributed to the Japanese Lexicon that other students and I have been compiling over our undergraduate career. After taking this course, I have rediscovered my love for reading and it has encouraged me to pursue reading other works from the Japanese authors that were discussed in class. Not only do I hope to enjoy these forms of literature, but I hope to better understand new authors and their collective works to learn about their lives and perspectives. Hopefully I will be able to create my own literary work in the future. |