担当教員：エリス 俊子
講義題目：Reading Japanese Novels: The Dilemma of the Modern and Beyond
This course is designed to give students an opportunity to acquaint themselves with a range of Japanese novels written between the late 19th century and the present. We will place a particular focus on how the Japanese writers struggled to come to terms with the idea of the modern, and explore the nature of the dilemma these writers faced in their attempt to incorporate modernity. Starting with the pioneering writers of the Meiji period, we will move on to the writers of the later periods and will also deal with the new writings of the younger generation in contemporary Japan. Some of the works will be examined in detail, using different critical approaches to analyse their thematic construction, structural characteristics and stylistic features. Most of the texts dealt with in this course are widely read works by well-known authors, but I am hoping to introduce some new readings, and also hope that students will actively participate in discussions to exchange their own reading of the text.
Classes will consist of short lectures followed by discussions. Discussions will be done both in small groups and as a class as a whole. Both students with and without background in Japanese literature are welcome. We will be using the English translation of these works in class, but for preparation students are welcome to read them in the language of their choice.