Module Code - Title:

JA4627 - JAPANESE LITERATURE: POETRY, DRAMA, PROSE

Year Last Offered:

2026/7

Hours Per Week:

Lecture

1

Lab

0

Tutorial

2

Other

0

Private

7

Credits

6

Grading Type:

N

Prerequisite Modules:

Rationale and Purpose of the Module:

To survey the development of characteristically Japanese literary genres - tanka, haiku, kabuki, bunraku - examine their modern manifestations, to enable students to apply critical skills to the study of current Japanese texts; to develop students' skills in communicating in oral and written Japanese.

Syllabus:

The module allows students to improve their ability to speak and write Japanese by analyzing developments in Japanese literature and culture through a close reading and analysis of a range of representative texts. The module will further develop students' written skills through translation and / or essay writing as well as developing spoken skills through in-class discussion.

Learning Outcomes:

Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)

• Read and analyse critically a wide range of representative texts; • Demonstrate their understanding of the historical development of key Japanese literary genres; • Analyse critically key aspects of the Japanese literary experience and its modern manifestations; • Write essays on various aspects of Japanese literary development as well as modern literature.

Affective (Attitudes and Values)

• Express opinions on aspects of Japanese literary historical developments; • Appreciate issues in contemporary Japanese literature; • Justify their response to individual texts orally and in writing.

Psychomotor (Physical Skills)

N/A

How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:

Through close reading and analysis of representative texts students become more knowledgeable about Japanese literary genres and their modern manifestations. Analysis of the issues arising from a reading of these texts fosters critical awareness. Discussion and writing about texts makes students more articulate in the target language.

Prime Texts:

¿¿ ¿¿¿, ¿¿ ¿¿ , ¿¿ ¿ Suzuki, S., Yamaguchi, S., Yoda, H. (2014) ¿¿¿ ¿¿¿¿¿¿¿ Genshoku Ogura Hyakuninn Isshu , ¿¿¿ Buneido

¿¿¿¿ Marutani, S. (2004) ¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿ Nihonbungakushihayawakari , ¿¿¿ Kodansha

¿¿¿ Tawara, M. (1989) ¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿ Sarada Kinenbi , ¿¿¿¿¿¿ Kawadeshoboushinsha.

Other Relevant Texts:

Kato, S. A History of Japanese Literature: The First Thousand Years (2003) A History of Japanese Literature: The First Thousand Years , Kodansha International

Keene, D. (1998) ) Dawn to the West: Japanese Literature in the Modern Era (History of Japanese Literature, Vol. 3) , Columbia University Press

Buckley, S. (2002) The Encyclopaedia of Japanese Culture , Routledge

Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:

BACHELOR OF ARTS

BACHELOR OF ARTS IN APPLIED LANGUAGES

BACHELOR OF ARTS INTERNATIONAL ADVANCED ACCESS

Semester(s) Module is Offered:

Autumn

Module Leader:

Akie.Nagahashi@ul.ie