MLL 452 - Modern Japanese Short Stories in English Translation

1. Students will demonstrate an understanding of and ability to apply the principles, methodologies, value systems, and thought processes employed in human inquiries by the provided comprehensive overview of Japanese literature that has shaped modern-day Japan. Spanning one and a half centuries from the Meiji Restoration in 1868 to the beginning of the twenty-first century, this course covers the eras of First Experiments, Interwar, Postwar, and the contemporary. The course traces the literary movements that took place over the course of the twentieth century, and provides a multi-perspective presentation of literary narratives with Japanese cultural diversity
2. Students will demonstrate in their oral and written work an understanding of the cultural endeavors and legacies of human civilization. Form the course material, including the weekly reading assignments and online resources, the course will include weekly Discussion Board discussions on 30 short stories grouped into 10 topics, 4 films that the original scripts were based on short stories representing unique Japanese literary genre, 2 online exams, and 2 Reader’s Pick review papers and one Final Paper via Turnitin on Blackboard. All selected short stories are in English translation and by prominent writers portray controversial images of Japan, as imperialist, war defeat yet transformed into economic superpower, ‘lost decade’ while assess bubble burst, and current trans-reality generation.
3. Students will demonstrate their ability to discuss, deliberate, and write about opposing viewpoints in an insightful and logical manner, to present an opposing side fairly, and to criticize the argument rather than attacking the person. Students are required to post their comments to weekly Discussion Boards in order to participate in discussions on the assigned readings and films. Each student has to post a comment to the weekly Forum by creating his/her own Thread under the title of a selected film or a short story of the weekly list with a discussion concept; student also need to respond to at least one of other students’ postings on weekly basis; the instructor will monitor the discussions, deliberations, and responses and provide comments to the various viewpoints.

1. demonstrate an understanding of and ability to apply the principles, methodologies, value systems, and thought processes employed in the arts and humanities;
2. analyze cultural production as an expression of, or reflection upon, what it means to be human; and
3. demonstrate how the perspectives of the arts and humanities are used by informed, engaged, and reflective citizens to benefit local and global communities.