JAPANESE LITERATURE 3

The course "Japanese Literature 3" is an introduction to the major artistic and literary phenomena in Japan from the end of the World War II to the present time.
This course is one of the core educational activities for the Japan-focused curriculum of the Bachelor's Degree Programme in Language, Culture and Society of Asia and Mediterranean Africa. It contributes to the attainment of the teaching goals of the same Bachelor's Degree Programme in language skills, but it also invests the cultural and humanities areas. The study of novels and essays will enhance skills in textual analysis and the understanding of historical and cultural contexts.
Abilities concerning the macroscopic development of modern and contemporary Japanese literature constitute the foundations to pursue literary and cultural studies.

Expected learning outcomes:
The course aims to introduce knowledge and understanding of the main literary, artistic and cultural phenomena of contemporary Japan.
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to
Knowledge and comprehension skills
- outline the main elements (authors, movements, works, etc.) of the history of Japanese literature from 1945 to the present day;
- identify and distinguish among the concepts and tools of literary criticism and historiography;
- extend, through the analysis of literary texts, their knowledge and understanding of historical contexts, previously encountered in other subjects of the degree course from a different perspective (e.g. historical, artistic...).

Application and analysis skills:
- analyse and interpret literary texts using critical and historiographical concepts and tools;
- relate literary texts using critical and historiographical concepts and tools;
- critically apply concepts of literary historiography to the period under examination.

Evaluation skills:
- appraise textual and historical-literary phenomena that are part of the programme using critically and historiographically sound arguments;
- assess a variety of sources through critical examination;
- criticise essentialist and stereotypical discourses on 'Japanese culture';

Communication skills:
- concisely and effectively re-elaborate and convey a presentation on a topic of interest in Japanese literature
- debate or present a topic of interest in Japanese literature in accordance to the aforementioned objectives;
- engage and collaborate in group projects.

Learning skills:
- improve their ability to use the online teaching platform Moodle;
- improve their ability to use Ca’ Foscari University’s bibliographic research tools.

Good knowledge skills of classical and modern Japanese literature, which are expected to be acquired by attendance to "Japanese Literature 1 and 2" courses. It is suggested to take the exam after passing Japanese Literature 2.

The course involves an in-depth analysis of some among the significant texts in Japanese literature dating from the post-war period and by writers of the latest generation.
- SWW and Post-war Literature
- Atomic bomb Literature
- Il Buraiha
- Ibuse Masuji
- Endō Shūsaku
- Mishima Yukio
- Women's literature
- Enchi Fumiko
- Contemporary Literature
- Post-Fukushima Literature

Students will take an active part in the seminar classes, debating on the basis of short texts related to syllabus content and suggested by the lecturer.
Other individual presentations and group discussions on the main literary texts will be agreed directly with the students.

L. Bienati, P. Scrolavezza, La narrativa giapponese moderna e contemporanea, Marsilio, Venezia 2009.

TESTI DI LETTURA IN TRADUZIONE

Ibuse Masuji, La pioggia nera, a cura di L. Bienati, Marsilio, 2005.
Mishima Yukio, Confessioni di una maschera, in Romanzi e racconti, Mondadori 2006.
Kawabata Yasunari, La bellezza del Giappone e io, in Romanzi e racconti, Mondadori.
Oe Kenzaburo, Io e il mio ambiguo Giappone, in Il figlio dell'imperatore, Marsilio 1997
Abe Kobo, La donna di sabbia, Atmosphere libri, 2016.
Murakami Haruki, un romanzo a scelta.
Yoshimoto Banana, Il dolce domani, Feltrinelli.
Enchi Fumiko, Maschere di donna, a cura di M.T. Orsi, Marsilio 1999.
Scrivere per Fukushima, Atmosphere Libri, 2013.
Yu Miri, Tokyo-Stazione Ueno, 21lettere

Short texts related to the above-mentioned contents will be made available periodically on the Moodle platform of the course.
Students are also asked to actively participate in the search for critical material to support the topics discussed.

Written exam (70 min):
- 5 identifications of excerpts from the compulsory reading texts (barrage test). At least 2 correct responses are required. Otherwise, the rest of the exam will not be graded.
- 4 open-ended questions.

Each of the 4 open-ended questions receives a score in 30ths. The overall grade is determined by the average of these questions.
The identification of excerpts contributes to the obtained grade by adding to it a graded bonus-malus ranging from -1 (all answers wrong) to +1 (all answers correct).

The questions aim to assess historical-literary knowledge, comprehension of texts and historical contexts, acquisition of critical tools and analytical skills, and the student's ability to learn, even independently. In particular, the open-ended questions are designed to evaluate their ability to apply knowledge to the discussion of the topics covered and their independence of judgment in their analysis, as well as their ability to express their observations in a concise and effective manner.

Regarding the grading scale (method through which grades will be assigned):

A. Scores in the range of 18-21 will be attributed in the presence of:
Sufficient knowledge and ability to understand applied in reference to the program;
Limited ability to gather and/or interpret information, formulating independent judgments;
Adequate communicative skills, especially concerning the use of specific language related to the description of textual and historical-literary phenomena;
B. Scores in the range of 22-25 will be attributed in the presence of:
Decent knowledge and ability to understand applied in reference to the program;
Decent ability to gather and/or interpret information, formulating independent judgments;
Decent communicative skills, especially concerning the use of specific language related to the description of textual and historical-literary phenomena;
C. Scores in the range of 26-30 will be attributed in the presence of:
Good or excellent knowledge and ability to understand applied in reference to the program;
Good or excellent ability to gather and/or interpret information, formulating independent judgments;
Fully appropriate communicative skills, especially concerning the use of specific language related to the description of textual and historical-literary phenomena;
D. Honors will be awarded in the presence of excellent knowledge and ability to understand applied in reference to the program, judgment skills, and excellent communicative abilities.

written

Conventional, with power-point presentations. Wooclap.