In this course, we will read some representative works of major authors of the early twentieth century in East Asia (China, Korea, and Japan).
The class is intended not only to introduce you to the literature of each country but also to find common themes and develop critical thinking/reading skills.
Weeks 1–7 focus on Realism and Naturalism, exploring how literature reflects societal and cultural changes in East Asia during modernization.
Weeks 9–14 explore Modernism and Postmodernism, highlighting how authors experiment with form and themes to critique or reimagine their societies.
| 第1回 Orientation: Exploring East Asian Literature（授業形式：演習及び講義） |
| Introduction to Reading Literature and East Asian Literature |
| 予習内容：Read and understand the aims and structure of the course, expectations and grading.(120分) |
| 復習内容：Reflect on what you hope to learn in the course.(120分) |
|
| 第2回 Introduction to Realism: Lu Xun’s A Minor Incident（授業形式：演習及び講義） |
| Realism in East Asian Modern Literature: A Minor Incident by Lu Xun |
| 予習内容：Read A Minor Incident carefully(120分) |
| 復習内容：Summarize the story and consider its themes.(120分) |
|
| 第3回 Early Realist Critiques: Lu Xun’s A Madman’s Diary（授業形式：演習及び講義） |
| A Madman’s Diary by Lu Xun |
| 予習内容：Read A Madman’s Diary(120分) |
| 復習内容：Identify themes and how the story reflects Realism.(120分) |
|
| 第4回 Korean Realism: Hyon Chingon’s A Lucky Day（授業形式：演習及び講義） |
| A Lucky Day by Hyon Chingon |
| 予習内容：Read A Lucky Day(120分) |
| 復習内容：Compare the story’s themes with those in Lu Xun’s works.(120分) |
|
| 第5回 Women’s Voices in Realism: Higuchi Ichiyo’s Separate Ways（授業形式：演習及び講義） |
| Separate Ways by Higuchi Ichiyo |
| 予習内容：Read Separate Ways(120分) |
| 復習内容：Analyze the characters’ motivations and the story’s critique of social structure.(120分) |
|
| 第6回 Class and Gender in Realist Fiction: Kim Dong-in’s Potatoes（授業形式：演習及び講義） |
| Potatoes by Kim Dong-in |
| 予習内容：Read Potatoes(120分) |
| 復習内容：Consider how the story explores societal inequalities.(120分) |
|
| 第7回 Blending Tradition and Realism: Shen Congwen’s Xiaoxiao（授業形式：演習及び講義） |
| Xiaoxiao by Shen Congwen |
| 予習内容：Read Xiaoxiao(120分) |
| 復習内容：Discuss how Shen Congwen incorporates traditional Chinese culture into his story.(120分) |
|
| 第8回 Midterm Exam（授業形式：演習及び講義） |
| Midterm Exam |
| 予習内容：Study for the Midterm Exam(120分) |
| 復習内容：Review answers after receiving the graded exam.(120分) |
|
| 第9回 Modernism and Postmodernism: A New Perspective |
| Modernism and Postmodernism in East Asian Literature |
| 予習内容：Review lecture notes from Weeks 1-7(120分) |
| 復習内容：Reflect on how Modernism contrasts with Realism.(120分) |
|
| 第10回 Modernist Mystery: Edogawa Rampo’s The Human Chair（授業形式：演習及び講義） |
| The Human Chair by Edogawa Rampo |
| 予習内容：Read The Human Chair(120分) |
| 復習内容：Identify the story’s Modernist elements.(120分) |
|
| 第11回 Surrealism and Fragmentation: Yi Sang’s The Wings（授業形式：演習及び講義） |
| The Wings by Yi Sang |
| 予習内容：Read The Wings(120分) |
| 復習内容：Explore the surreal and fragmented narrative.(120分) |
|
| 第12回 Urban Alienation: Eileen Chang’s Sealed Off（授業形式：演習及び講義） |
| Sealed Off by Eileen Chang |
| 予習内容：Read Sealed Off(120分) |
| 復習内容：Discuss the impact of the setting on the story’s themes.(120分) |
|
| 第13回 Postwar Trauma: Yi Chong-Jun’s The Wounded（授業形式：演習及び講義） |
| The Wounded by Yi Chong-Jun |
| 予習内容：Read The Wounded(120分) |
| 復習内容：Analyze the emotional impact of the story’s portrayal of trauma.(120分) |
|
| 第14回 Postmodern Heroics: Murakami Haruki’s Super-Frog Saves Tokyo（授業形式：演習及び講義） |
| Super-Frog Saves Tokyo by Murakami Haruki |
| 予習内容：Read Super-Frog Saves Tokyo(120分) |
| 復習内容：Compare its themes with other Postmodern stories.(120分) |
|
| 第15回 Final Exam（授業形式：演習及び講義） |
| Final Exam |
| 予習内容：Study for the Final Exam(120分) |
| 復習内容：Reflect on your learning from the semester.(120分) |
|
| 中間試験、最終試験 |
| 中間試験は第９回目の授業時間中、最終試験は定期試験期間中 |
Readings and materials will be distributed in class.
Additional readings will be introduced by the instructor.