THIS COURSE WILL BE OFFERED IN WINTER 2008.

Elements of Japanese Culture

JAPN 231

Call No. 12223-5

Time: 10:30–11:18 MTWRF

Classroom: Mendenhall 185

1. Overview

This course uses an interdisciplinary approach to introduce some important elements of Japanese culture. It draws from the fields of history, anthropology, literature, art, religion, and philosophy, tracing the development of Japanese culture from prehistory to modern times. Emphasis is placed on historical trends, especially the three traditions of aristocratic, samurai, and merchant culture. We shall also look at so‑called theories of Japanese culture and issues of modern and contemporary Japanese culture. The material will be presented through lecture, film, and slides. Questions and comments are welcome at all times. Students are expected to come away from the course with a basic knowledge of Japanese cultural history.

2. Texts

The required texts are Japanese Culture (4th ed.), by H. Paul Varley, and the Zipnotes booklet for JPN 231. Both will be available at SBX.

 

Recommended additional texts are Tetsuo Najita, Japan; George Sansom, Japan: A Short Cultural History; Donald Keene, An Appreciation of Japanese Culture; Howard Hibbet, ed. Contemporary Japanese Literature; and Edwin Reischauer, The Japanese.

N.B. The OSU Library has an outstanding Japanese collection, including a huge array of materials in English, access to a large, high-quality selection of electronic resources, the world’s most complete collection of manga. Browsing the links at http://library.osu.edu/blogs/japanese/ is a rewarding experience. Make time to do it often!

3. Syllabus

Abbreviations

V = Japanese Culture (4th ed.), by H. Paul Varley

P = Zipnotes booklet

 

Origins and the Present

1/3      R     Introduction: Some Notions of Culture

1/4      F     Film

1/7      M    Geography (P) “The Land,” George Sansom, pp. 7–13

1/8      T     Language as Theory of Japanese Culture: Hierarchy and Ambiguity (P) “Common Expressions,” “Table of Japanese Sounds,” and “Business Information: meishi,” pp. 14–22.

 

Literacy, Religions, and the Birth of an Indigenous Literature

1/9      W    Prehistory: Jōmon, Yayoi & Tomb Periods (V) “Emergence of Japanese Civilization,” pp. 1–18.

1/10    R     Mythical Origins and Shinto (P) Kojiki (“Record of Ancient Matters”), pp. 33–37.

1/11    F     Film

1/14    M    Buddhism and the Political Hegemony of Yamato Clan and History's Longest Reigning Imperial House (P) “The Seventeen-Article Constitution of Prince Shōtoku,” pp. 28–31

1/15    T     Asuka, Nara, and Heian capitals (V) “The Introduction of Buddhism,” pp. 19–47

1/16    W    The Taika Reforms, Writing/Education as Power, and the Creation of a Native Literature (P) “Man’yōshū“ in An Introduction to Japanese Court Poetry, Earl Miner, pp. 39–49.

 

The Conflict Between Martial and Aristocratic Values in Japanese Culture

1/17    R     The Heian Period and the Growth of a Cosmopolitan Aesthetic (P) The Tale of Genji, Murasaki Shikibu, pp. 51–64.

1/18    F     Film

1/21    M    Martin Luther King Day

1/22    T     Women's Aristocratic Culture (P) The Pillow Book, Sei Shōnagon, pp. 65–71.

1/23    W    Cosmopolitan Aesthetics versus Rural Aesthetics: Rise of the Warrior Class and Popular Buddhism (P) “Introduction” by Helen McCullough and selections “Gion Shōja” and “Atsumori” from The Tale of Heike, pp. 73–82.

1/24    R     Battles over Land: The Kamakura Period (V) “Advent of a New Age,” pp. 77–89

1/25    F     Film

1/28    M    End of the Law, End of the World (P) An Account of My Hut, Kamo no Chōmei, pp. 83–91.

1/29    T     The Muromachi Period as Synthesis of Warrior and Aristocratic Aesthetics: Ashikaga Shogunate, the Noh, and Zen (V) The Canons of Medieval Taste, pp. 93–139, (P), pp. 93–120.

1/30    W    Review and Discussion

1/31    R     FIRST MIDTERM

2/1      F     Film

 

The Legacy of Tokugawa Japan: Merchants and Samurai

2/4      M    Three Unifiers and Sekigahara: On the Eve of the Great Peace (P) pp. 125–146.

2/5      T     Tokugawa Shogunate “The Flourishing of a Bourgeois Culture,” (V), pp. 164–204

2/6      W    Mercantalism and Edo Popular Culture (P) The Floating World in Japanese Fiction, “Narrow Road to the Deep Hinterland,” Matsuo Bashō pp. 147–154.

2/7      R     Confucianism and Neo-Confucianism (P) “Heterodox Trends,” (V), 205–234.

2/8      F     Film

2/11    M    Continuity of Tokugawa Cultural Legacy (P) “Everyday Things in Premodern Japan,” pp. 155–167.

2/12    T     Japan's Encounters with the West Class (Handout).

2/13    W    The Collapse of the Tokugawa Shogunate (P) Japan from Prehistory to Modern Times, John Whitney Hall, pp. 168–80.

2/14    R     The Meiji Restoration (P) Japan from Prehistory to Modern Times, John Whitney Hall

2/15    F     Film

 

Japan, the West, and Modern Times

2/18    M    The Culture of “Civilization and Enlightenment” (V) “Encounter with the West,” pp. 235–270.

2/19    T     Taishō Democracy / Ero-guro nonsense (V), pp. 286–303.

2/20    W    Foreign Adventures, Shōwa Culture, Anti-Modern Impulse (P), pp. 182–190.

2/21    R     World War Two (P) War Without Mercy, John Dower, pp. 191–206.


2/22    F     Film

2/25    M    Defeat and SCAP Reforms (P) Postwar Japan: 1945 to the Present, ed. Livingston, Moore, and Oldfather, pp. 207–217.

2/26    T     Review

2/27    W    SECOND MIDTERM

2/28    R     The Americanization of Popular Manners and Customs (V), pp. 304–325.

2/29    F     Film

 

Postwar and Postmodern

3/3      M    Postwar Japanese Education: Reform and New Standards of Literacy (Handout).

3/4      T     The Economic Miracle “Growth Versus Success” (Handout).

3/5      W    Love and Marriage: New and Old Expressions of Family.

3/6      R     Homogeneity and Diversity in Japanese Society, (P) “Forces of Order,” pp. 229–41.

3/7      F     Review

 

4. Tests and Grading

Grades will be determined by two pop quizzes (15%), class participation (10%), two midterm exams (25%), and a final exam (25%) using the following 100-point scale:

Points              Grade              Points              Grade

92–100            A                     76–79              C+

89–91              A–                   72–75              C

86–88              B+                   69–71              C–

82–85              B                     66–67              D+

79–81              B–                   62–65              D

 

Since the lowest score of the two pop quizzes will be disregarded, “make-ups” will not be given. There will be no make‑up on other exams without a valid, written excuse acceptable to the instructor. The final exam is scheduled for R 13 March, 9:30–11:18. Please be certain that you are able to attend the final examination before continuing with the class. Attendance, extra-credit questions on exams, and participation will be taken into consideration and will become important in deciding borderline cases. An understanding of the Japanese language is not necessary to do well in the course.

5. General Reminders 

Disability Services

Students with disabilities that have been certified by the Office for Disability Services will be appropriately accommodated, and should inform the instructor as soon as possible of their needs. The Office for Disability Services is located in 150 Pomerene Hall, 1760 Neil Avenue (telephone 292-3307, TDD 292-0901). For additional information, access

http://www.ods.ohio-state.edu

 

 

Academic Misconduct

“It is the responsibility of the Committee on Academic Misconduct to investigate or establish procedures for the investigation of all reported cases of student academic misconduct. The term ‘academic misconduct’ includes all forms of student academic misconduct wherever committed; illustrated by, but not limited to, cases of plagiarism and dishonest practices in connection with examinations. Instructors shall report all instances of alleged academic misconduct to the committee.” (Faculty Rule 3335-5-487) For additional information, access the Code of Student Conduct at

http://studentaffairs.osu.edu/resource_csc.asp

 
 

Last Updated 17 January 2008 by J. Marshall Unger