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Department of the Languages and Cultures of Japan and Korea

Aspects of Japanese Culture 1

Course Code:
155901199
Unit value:
0.5
Year of study:
Year 1
Taught in:
Term 1
Lectures and seminars will focus on continuity and change in Japanese cultural history from ancient times to the start of the early modern period. Topics such as aristocrats and the development of Japanese taste, warrior rule and warrior culture, women in Japanese society, the imperial institution and Japanese religions in their ancient medieval manifestations will be considered.

Prerequisites

None

Objectives and learning outcomes of the course

Objectives:  an introduction to themes in pre-modern Japanese history employing multiple methodologies.

Learning outcomes: 

  1. students will acquire familiarity with issues in political, social, intellectual, literary and religious history. 
  2. students will develop - through presentations and essays - critical skills in speaking, discussing, thinking and writing.

Workload

Total of 11 weeks teaching with 2.5 hours classroom contact. Teaching is by means of interactive lectures, discussion and student presentations.

Scope and syllabus

Aspects of Japanese Culture 1 is structured both chronologically and thematically and deals with the following topics:

Early Japan in East Asia; imperial institution; Nara literature; Nara religion; Heian society; Heian literature; Heian religion; warrior culture in Kamakura; Kamakura literature; Kamakura religion; warrior culture in Muromachi; Muromachi society; Muromachi literature; Muromachi religion; state unification.

Method of assessment

One two-hour written examination taken in May/June (60%); one 2,500 word essay (40%) to be submitted on the last Monday, term 1.

Suggested reading

Required Reading:
  • Patricia Buckley Ebrey, Anne Walthall, and James B. Palais, East Asia: A Cultural, Social and Political History (Wadsworth, 2008)
  • Internet resources
Recommending Reading:
  • Cambridge history (5 volumes)
  • Collcutt et al., Cultural Atlas of Japan
  • Eisenstadt, S., Japanese civilisation: a comparative view
  • Reischauer and Craig, Japan: tradition and transformation
  • C Totman, A History of Japan
  • H P Varley, Japanese Culture - 4th edition