JAP2300 – Topics in modern Japanese literature
Course description
Schedule, syllabus and examination date
Course content
This course provides an introduction to modern Japanese literature through the reading of a selection of representative texts in translation. Each week we will look at one significant work of Japanese literature situating it in its historical, cultural, and social context, from the Meiji period (1868-1912) to the present. We will explore different formats and genres of written prose, including novels, short stories, light novels, internet novels, and graphic novels/manga.
Learning outcome
- You will gain an understanding of the evolution of modern Japanese literature and popular culture from the Meiji period to the present.
- You will learn how to analyze literary and visual texts and situate them in their historical and cultural context.
- You will learn to reflect on literature and popular culture in a critical and comparative way.
- You will develop academic writing and discussion skills.
- You will become familiar with about ten core works of contemporary Japanese literature and popular culture.
Admission to the course
Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for?in Studentweb.
If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about?admission requirements and procedures.
Recommended previous knowledge
The course?JAP1501 - Present-Day Japan?provides helpful background information.
Overlapping courses
- 10 credits overlap with JAP1300 – Japansk litteraturhistorie (discontinued).
Teaching
Teaching is given in the form of lectures and seminars (one double lesson a week over 12 weeks).
Compulsory activities
- Attendance and active participation in 10 out of 12 lectures/seminars
- Participation in thesis statement writing exercise
- Submission of an outline of the final paper with a related list of sources
All compulsory activities must be approved in order for you to sit for the exam.
Slik s?ker du om gyldig frav?r p? obligatorisk aktivitet/obligatorisk oppm?te.
Access to lectures
If you have completed the lectures and gotten an approved result on the compulsory activities, you are not entitled to new lectures. If you have been admitted to the course, but have not completed and gotten an approved result on the compulsory activities, you are entitled to new lectures when the course has free capacity.
Examination
The exam consists of 10-page essay (at 2300 characters per page without spaces).?The reference list and cover do not count towards the page count.?Use the font Times New Roman and have a line spacing of 1.5. In the essay, you should analyse critically one work of modern or contemporary Japanese literature in relation to its historical context. You can either choose to work on one of the texts we looked at during the course and examine it in relation to different secondary sources and theoretical approaches, or you can choose a different novel, manga, or other work of fiction and discuss it in relation to the issues addressed during the course.
Language of examination
The exam must be written in English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F?is a fail. Read more about?the grading system.
Resit an examination
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.