English 252-01A
Focus on Japan
Vathing
Spring Semester, 2005
Readings
Tanizaki, The Reed Cutter and Captain Shigemoto's
Mother
Welcome to Japanese
Hass, editor, The Essential Haiku
Murasaki, The Tale of Genji
Mishima, The Sailor Who Fell From Grace With The Sea
Yoshimoto, Asleep
The Pillow Book of Sei Shonagon
Enchi, Masks
The Floating
World
Students will complete one of the assignments listed
below and take one essay examination. The assignment may be either a four to
five page, typed, and double-spaced critical essay based on one or more of the
assigned readings; an annotated bibliography of twelve to fifteen sources based
on one of the assigned authors; or a translation of a poem from a foreign
language plus an annotated bibliography of two critical sources on either an
assigned author of the author translated by the student. Should you choose the
last possibility, let me know by the third week, so I can schedule your
presentation.
Goals
To stimulate enjoyment of literary works of the area and eras studied; to encourage an appreciation of the works in relation to the culture that produced them and to evaluate their relevance and importance to modern readers; to develop the ability to read literary texts for meaning, structure, and style; to develop critical thinking and writing skills through the analysis of literary works.
Other Matters
Attendance and preparation are mandatory; I am,
however, a reasonable person and will excuse necessary lapses. My desk is in the
Humanities Office, Room 252 of the Bisdorf Building. The office telephone number
is 845-6242; my home number is 281-1323. E-mail addresses are:
gvathing@nvcc.ledu and TVathing@aol.com.