KOS4560 ¨C Traumatic memory and national identity across the Middle East and East Asia

Course content

This course focuses on how collective trauma and memory of the recent past in Japanese and Arabic sociocultural contexts are reworked and elaborated in a cross-cultural perspective. Students will learn about dynamics of national identity construction through the analysis of media and visual productions (including literature, film, graphic novels and manga), to reflect critically on global societies today. The course is jointly delivered by the University of Oslo, the University of Stockholm, and the University of Bologna, through the framework of the Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Program (BIP). It consists of a seminar in Oslo, an online module, and an intensive workshop in Bologna. This is an opportunity for students to engage in an area-studies-based exchange and to work collaboratively with students from different programs and from different universities.

Learning outcome

Learning outcomes

• You will gain an understanding of modern and contemporary Japanese and Arabic culture and society as it is portrayed in literary works, including graphic novels.
• You will learn how to perform a close reading of literary and visual texts and examine them comparatively and in relation to their respective social, political, economic, and cultural contexts.
• You will learn to reflect on how trauma and memory are reflected in literary and visual cultural productions, and how these cultural productions in turn affect public perceptions of historical memory and trauma.
• You will develop interdisciplinary and cross-cultural analysis skills.
• You will develop advanced academic writing and discussion skills.
• You will acquire advanced collaborative research and project management skills, and gain concrete experience working in a culturally diverse environment.

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.

Formal prerequisite knowledge

Admission to Japanese Studies (programme option) or Middle East Studies (programme option)

MES4000 ¨C Theory, Methodology and Project Description in Middle East- and South Asia Studies or JAP4010 ¨C Theory and Method in Japanese Studies

Recommended previous knowledge

Teaching, course work and exam will be in English. Students must therefore be able to participate and write their exams in English.

Teaching

The course is comprised of three modules.

The first module consists of four lectures and four seminars, held on campus at UiO in February and March.

The second module consists of six online modules, available on an on-demand basis in April and May.

The third module consists of a five-day intensive workshop, held on campus at the University of Bologna in June, that will result in a group project (es. designing and presenting a research poster).

Compulsory activities

• Attendance and active participation in 2 out of 4 lectures/seminars at UiO
• A qualifying assignment at the end of the first module
• Mandatory short quizzes in the online module
• Attendance in the final intensive workshop

All compulsory activities must be approved in order for you to sit for the exam.

This is how you apply for valid absence from compulsory activities/compulsory attendance.

Examination

The exam is a term paper of?10 pages on a subject approved by the teachers. Initial feedback will be provided at the end of the online module and additional feedback will be given throughout the rest of the semester. The paper should focus on the topic of the group project that you will do at the University of Bologna, including a reflection on the collaborative interdisciplinary and cross-cultural work experience.

Language of examination

The examination text is given in English, and you submit your response 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.

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.