College of East Asian Studies (CEAS)

CEAS155 Fictional Japan: Introduction to Japanese Literature and Culture This course will explore the evolution of Japanese fictional narrative, from Japan's first encounter with "modern" literary forms in the late 19th century to postmodern digital discourses advanced through anime and gaming. In so doing, we will discuss the ways in which Japanese theories of literature intersect with notions of national identity, modernity, and Westernization. How does the Japanese novel participate in the modern process of nation building and how is it used to situate Japan's position in East Asia and the world? We will also consider fictional works from marginalized groups in Japan to address how notions of gender and ethnicity serve as an intervention into traditional discourses on Japanese literature. Finally, we will explore new iterations of Japanese fiction in the form of digital media and database narratives. Does advanced technology fundamentally change how we produce/consume narratives and therefore view the world around us? How do these new forms impact constructions of national history and identity? Is this phenomenon somehow unique to Japan or a simple product of globalization? Offering: Host Grading: A-F Credits: 1.00 Gen Ed Area: HA-CEAS Prereq: None