Uncovering the Voices of Japanese Literature from edX

Japanese literature has a long and diverse tradition, dating back more than a thousand years. From Murasaki Shikibu's The Tale of Genji to the novels of Murakami Haruki, its many masterpieces are read and loved throughout the world. The historical process of writing, however - who gets to write whose stories, when, and how? - and many of the formal traits of the Japanese literary arts related to agency remain unquestioned. We believe a basic knowledge of how artists developed their sense of autonomy within the strictures of historical society is crucial to understand, appreciate and enjoy this long tradition.

This course will explore a number of writers and works from the ancient times of Japan through to the early modern Edo era and into the twentieth century. Key aspects of the course will include how the historical trajectory of women's experiences were reflected in literary or theatrical genres; the social spaces in which poetry and visual art emerged and became shared; and how Japanese thinkers have envisioned human imagination throughout history. One important concept recurring through the course will be the human "voice." We shall attempt to uncover some of these voices, including but not limited to the voices of women, together with their told and untold experiences.

This course will provide you with an introduction and a basis for further study in Japanese history, culture, literature, arts, and other areas which you may intend to explore in the future.

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Learning objectives

How diverse voices were recorded and transmitted into popular storytelling, drama, and theater in the premodern era
How different japanese writers used the motif of psychological abnormality as the source for a truly “modern” art

Creatively reconsider some aspects of the human imagination from a broadly comparative perspective

How diverse voices were recorded and transmitted into popular storytelling, drama, and theater in the premodern era
How different japanese writers used the motif of psychological abnormality as the source for a truly “modern” art
Creatively reconsider some aspects of the human imagination from a broadly comparative perspective

Good to know

Know what's good

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Explores diversity among voices in Japanese art, from ancient times to modern era

Empowers understanding of the role of historical and social factors on Japanese creators, which may enhance your grasp of their historical and contemporary works

Explores a range of literary and theatrical genres, providing an understanding of how diverse voices were expressed in different contexts

Investigates the experience of women in premodern Japanese society through the lens of classical Japanese literature and theatre

Introduces key concepts in Japanese literature and arts, providing a solid foundation for further exploration

Examines the concept of the human imagination from a comparative perspective, broadening your understanding of creativity across cultures

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Uncovering the Voices of Japanese Literature with these activities:

Review Japanese sentence structure fundamentals

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A strong foundation in Japanese sentence structure will enhance your comprehension of the literary works covered in this course.

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Review basic sentence structures, including subject, verb, and object.
Practice writing simple sentences in Japanese.
Identify the different parts of speech in Japanese sentences.

Explore online resources for Japanese literature

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Familiarizing yourself with online resources will enhance your ability to independently research and deepen your understanding of Japanese literature.

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Identify and bookmark reputable websites and databases specializing in Japanese literature.
Follow Japanese literature experts and scholars on social media platforms.
Subscribe to online newsletters and blogs that provide insights into Japanese literature.

Join a study group for Japanese literature

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Engaging with peers through discussion and collaboration can enhance your understanding and retention of the course material.

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Find a study group or create your own with fellow classmates.
Meet regularly to discuss course content, share insights, and work on assignments together.
Provide constructive feedback and support to your peers.

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Attend a workshop on Japanese literature and culture

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Workshops provide opportunities to engage with experts and immerse yourself in the world of Japanese literature.

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Research and identify relevant workshops in your area or online.
Attend the workshop and actively participate in discussions and activities.
Take notes and reflect on the insights and knowledge gained.

Organize and synthesize course materials

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Organizing and synthesizing course materials will improve your retention and ability to make connections between different concepts.

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Review and整理 notes, assignments, and readings from the course.
Create summaries, mind maps, or other visual aids to help you connect the dots.
Identify key concepts and themes and make connections between them.

Read 'The Tale of Genji' by Murasaki Shikibu

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'The Tale of Genji' is a foundational work of Japanese literature, providing valuable insights into the historical context and literary conventions of the period.

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Read the novel in its entirety.
Take notes on the major characters, plot points, and literary devices used.
Reflect on the novel's themes and how they relate to the course material.

Write a blog post analyzing a Japanese literary work

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Creating original content will deepen your understanding of the literary elements and themes explored in the course.

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Choose a specific Japanese literary work to analyze.
Read the work carefully and identify its key themes, characters, and literary devices.
Write a blog post that presents your analysis and insights.

Become a tutor or mentor for Japanese language learners

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Mentoring others reinforces your own understanding while also contributing to the learning community.

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Identify opportunities to tutor or mentor Japanese language learners.
Prepare lesson plans and materials sesuai with the learner's needs.
Provide guidance, support, and feedback to the learner.

Career center

Learners who complete Uncovering the Voices of Japanese Literature will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Museum curator

Museum Curators may have a wide variety of responsibilities. One responsibility is overseeing different types of collections, such as artistic or scientific. Responsibilities may include researching and writing descriptions for these collections. Their research may be used to develop exhibitions or public programs, such as a guided tour or a lecture series. This course, with its exploration of Untold experiences and a comparative perspective on human imagination, may help one to write more engaging and thought-provoking exhibition descriptions, public programs, and research materials.

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Archivist

Archivists are responsible for organizing, describing, preserving, and providing access to historical records and documents. They often work with researchers and scholars to help them access the materials they need. An understanding of historical contexts of artistic, cultural, and literary works may help one to better curate historical records and documents. Likewise, the archival research skills one develops in this course may help one succeed as an Archivist.

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Art historian

Art Historians study and interpret art, including its history, techniques, and significance. They may work in museums, galleries, or universities, where they conduct research, write articles and books, and give lectures. The diverse perspectives on literary art covered in this course may help one to better understand how art reflects and is shaped by the historical and cultural contexts in which it was created.

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Museum Educator

Museum Educators develop and implement educational programs for museums and other cultural institutions. They may work with a variety of audiences, from young children to adults. This course may help prepare one for this career by providing an understanding of how to engage different audiences with art and literature, as well as how to develop and implement educational programs.

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Cultural Anthropologist

Cultural Anthropologists study human cultures and societies, often focusing on a particular region or group of people. They conduct research, write articles and books, and teach courses about their findings. This course may help prepare for this career path by providing a broad understanding of Japanese culture and history, as well as a comparative perspective on human imagination.

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Literary Agent

Literary Agents represent authors and help them to negotiate contracts with publishers. They also provide guidance and support to authors throughout the writing and publishing process. The knowledge one gains in this course about Japanese literature and the historical trajectory of women's experiences may be very attractive to those who wish to specialize in representing Japanese authors.

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Translator

Translators convert written or spoken material from one language into another. They may work in a variety of settings, such as publishing, government, or international organizations. This course may be attractive to those who specialize in Japanese to English. The course's overview of Japanese literature may provide a solid foundation for translating nuanced Japanese texts in a way that is accessible to an English-speaking audience.

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Freelance Writer

Freelance Writers write articles, blog posts, website content, and other types of written material for clients. They may work in a variety of fields, such as journalism, marketing, or public relations. This course may help one to improve their writing skills and to develop a deeper understanding of Japanese literature, which may be attractive to those who wish to specialize in writing about Japanese culture, history, or art.

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Journalist

Journalists gather, analyze, and report on news and current events. They may work for newspapers, magazines, websites, or television and radio stations. This course may help one to develop the critical thinking and research skills, as well as deeper understanding of Japanese culture and history, that are essential for success in this field.

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Editor

Editors review, correct, and improve written material for publication. They may work for publishing houses, magazines, newspapers, or other organizations. This course may help to develop the strong reading comprehension, attention to detail, and writing skills that are necessary for success in this field.

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Librarian

Librarians help people to find and access information. They may work in public libraries, school libraries, or special libraries, such as those in museums or law firms. This course may help one develop the research and information literacy skills that are essential for success in this field.

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Teacher

Teachers plan and deliver instruction to students in a variety of settings, such as schools, colleges, and universities. This course may help one to develop the communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills that are essential for success in this field, particularly at the college or university level where one may teach courses like this one.

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Professor

Professors teach and conduct research at colleges and universities. This course may help one to develop the research, writing, and teaching skills that are essential for success in this field, especially for those specializing in Japanese literature.

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Researcher

Researchers conduct original research in a variety of fields, such as science, social science, and the humanities. This course may help one to develop the research skills that are essential for success in this field, especially those who wish to focus on Japanese literature.

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Writer

Writers create written works, such as novels, short stories, plays, and poems. This course may help one to develop the creativity, writing skills, and knowledge of literary techniques that are essential for success in this field, especially those who wish to write literary fiction.

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