Module Code - Title:
JA4221
-
BEGINNING JAPANESE LITERATURE
Year Last Offered:
2026/7
Hours Per Week:
Grading Type:
N
Prerequisite Modules:
Rationale and Purpose of the Module:
To introduce students in to the history of Japanese literature, to develop students' ability to approach a literary text successfully and to develop their ability to read a variety of graded passages in modern Japanese prose.
Syllabus:
Lecture: the outline of the history of Japanese literature, types of poetry, drama and prose.
Tutorials: reading a variety of graded passages in modern Japanese.
Learning Outcomes:
Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to
• demonstrate an understanding of the major genres in Japanese literature
• demonstrate an understanding of when and how those genres developed
• demonstrate competence in reading and evaluating a variety of graded texts though in-class discussions and presentations.
Affective (Attitudes and Values)
Use reading, writing and discussion done in respect of the various texts as the basis of further autonomous cultural and linguistic development.
Psychomotor (Physical Skills)
N/A
How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:
Teaching and learning on this module comprises lecture-style presentations of background of the literature (some initially in English, but progressing to all-Japanese content), in-class oral presentations by students and discussions in Japanese.
Prime Texts:
Miller, R. A. (1989)
A Japanese reader: Graded lessons for mastering the written language
, Vermont and Tokyo: Tuttle.
Anai, S., I Hill, and K. Ikeshiro (2015)
Let's read Japanese level 1 vol.1,
, Oxford: Oxford Brookes University.
Other Relevant Texts:
Keene, D. (2000)
Seeds in the heart: Japanese literature from earliest times to the late sixteenth century
, New York: Columbia University Press
Shirane, H., T. Suzuki, D. B. Lurie, David Lurie (2016)
The Cambridge history of Japanese literature
, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
Karatani, K.; B. De Bary, (1993)
Origins of modern Japanese literature,
, Durham, North Carolina: Duke University Press
Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:
BACHELOR OF ARTS
BACHELOR OF ARTS INTERNATIONAL ADVANCED ACCESS
BACHELOR OF EDUCATION IN LANGUAGES
Semester(s) Module is Offered:
Autumn
Module Leader:
erika.marcet@ul.ie