JAP2507 ¨C Modern Japanese Literature and Popular Culture

Course content

This course provides an introduction to modern Japanese literature and popular culture through a selection of representative texts in translation. We will study a number of primary works situating them in their historical, cultural, and social context, from the Meiji period (1868-1912) to the present. We will explore different media and genres including novel, short story, light novel, internet novel, manga, film, and animation, and learn to examine them critically through different theoretical approaches.

Learning outcome

In this course you will:??

• ?gain an understanding of the evolution of modern Japanese literature and popular culture from the Meiji period to the present.??

• learn how to analyze literary and visual texts and situate them in their historical and cultural context.??

• learn to reflect on literature and popular culture in a critical and comparative way.??

• learn to use critically academic sources, digital and analogue.??

• develop academic writing and discussion skills.??

• develop collaborative skills through groupwork??

• 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 ¨C Topics in modern Japanese literature.
• 5 credits overlap with JAP2501 ¨C Japanese Contemporary Society through Film and Animation.

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??

• 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.?

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 or popular culture in relation to its historical context. You can either choose one of the works 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, film or other medium and discuss it in relation to the issues addressed during the course.??

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
• 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.