JAP2507 – Modern Japanese Literature and Popular Culture
Course description
Course content
This course provides an introduction to modern Japanese literature, film and/or popular culture through a selection of representative texts or films etc in translation or with subtitles. We will study a number of primary works situating them in their historical, cultural, and social context, from the prewar period to the present. We will explore different media and genres that may include novel, short story, light novel, internet novel, manga, film, and animation, and learn to examine them critically through different theoretical and other approaches.
Learning outcome
In this course you will:??
- gain an understanding of the evolution of modern Japanese literature, film and/or popular culture from the prewar period to the present.??
- learn how to analyze literary and visual texts and situate them in their historical, cultural and social context.??
- learn to reflect on literature, film and/or popular culture in a critical and comparative way.??
- learn to use critically academic sources, digital and analogue.??
- develop academic writing and discussion skills.??
- learn to receive and offer constructive criticism and feedback in written and oral form??
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
- 5 credits overlap with JAP2300 – Topics in modern Japanese literature.
- 5 credits overlap with JAP2501 – Japanese Contemporary Society through Film and Animation (discontinued).
Teaching
Teaching is given in the form of lectures and seminars (one double lesson a week over 12 weeks).??
Compulsory activities??
Compulsory attendance: You are required to attend 80% of the seminar teaching. In this course, you must attend 10 out of 12 seminars.
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.?
Absence from compulsory activities:?
It is important that you familiarize yourself with the rules regarding absence from compulsory activities, to prevent being excluded from teaching and losing your eligibility to take the exam.?
More information on compulsory activities at the University of Oslo:?
Examination
The exam consists of 10-page essay (at 2300 characters per page without spaces). In the essay, you should analyse critically one work of modern or contemporary Japanese literature, film or popular culture in relation to its historical, cultural and/or social context. Examine it in relation to various secondary sources and theoretical or other approaches. Please do not choose one of the works we already discussed in class.
Language of examination
Subjects taught in English will only offer the exam paper in English.
You may write your examination paper in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or 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
A term paper or equivalent that is passed may not be resubmitted in revised form.
If you?withdraw from the exam?after the deadline, this will be counted as an examination attempt.
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- How to use AI as a student
- 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.