Marjorie's book project, titled ”Unearthing the Written Cultures of Early Korea and Japan,' focuses on inscribed wood slips known as mokkan excavated from sites in southern Korea and Japan in order to shed light on the written cultures of early historic Paekche (ca. third century-660CE), Silla (ca. third century-935CE) and Japan. In exploring the connections between the written cultures of these three kingdoms, she also investigates the role of allochthons (Korean migrants) at the Japanese court in the development of Sinographic literary culture.
JPNS 1012 - Introduction to Japanese Civilization
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2021 / Spring 2023
An interdisciplinary introduction to the cultural history of peoples of the Japanese archipelago from prehistory to the present through the exploration of literature, material life, art forms, politics, religious practices, and intellectual currents. Taught in English; no prior knowledge of Japanese language, culture, or history is necessary or expected.
JPNS 1051 - Portals to Japanese Literature
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2020
Surveys Japanese thought and culture through careful reading and discussion of selected significant works of Japanese literature in translation. Texts may include works of poetry, fiction, drama, diaries, and essays, from ancient times to the present. Taught in English.
JPNS 3611 - Speaking the Truth: Women's Counter-narratives of Korea and Japan
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2024
Explores the rich history of women�s writing in premodern Japan and Korea, focusing on works produced by and for women in vernacular scripts (kana and han'gul) during the Heian (794-1185), Kamakura (1185-1333), and Choson (1392-1910) periods. Topics covered include the textual construction and subversion of idealized femininity, the representation of women's real lived experiences, and the subjective nature of historical truth. Recommended prerequisite: JPNS 1012, JPNS 1051 or KREN 1011. Same as KREN 3611.
JPNS 3811 - The World of the Shining Prince: The Tale of Genji and Heian Literature
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2020 / Fall 2021 / Fall 2022 / Spring 2024 / Fall 2025
An exploration of the literary landscape of Classical Japan focusing on The Tale of Genji (early 11th century), a brilliantly provocative work of fiction sometimes called �the world�s first novel.� Covers the extensive world drawn within Genji and provides context for understanding its origins and reception through readings of other important works of Heian-era (794-1185) literature. Taught in English; no prior knowledge of Japanese language, culture, or history is necessary or expected. Recommended prerequisite: JPNS 1051. Same as HUMN 3811.
JPNS 3891 - Travel/Travel Writing in Japanese Literature and Culture
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2022
Explores selected Japanese literary and cultural texts that treat travel and travel writing, including short and long fiction, poetry, memoir, nonfiction, biography and travel commentary. Taught in English. Recommended prerequisite: JPNS 1051.
JPNS 4310 - Classical Japanese 1
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2022 / Fall 2024 / Fall 2025
Introduces reference tools for reading classical Japanese, and grammar, vocabulary, and use of scripts in premodern Japanese, focusing on the 10th century Taketori Monogatari and the 13th century Hojoki. Recommended prerequisites: JPNS 3120 and JPNS 3811 and JPNS 3821.
JPNS 4320 - Classical Japanese 2
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2020
Continuation of JPNS 4310. Surveys changes in Japanese literary language from the Nara (eighth century) to Meiji (late 19th century) periods. Attention given to changes in grammar, vocabulary, and use of scripts in premodern Japanese. Introduces representative works of classical Japanese literature of all periods.
JPNS 5010 - Bibliography and Research Methods
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2024
Introduces research materials on Japan in Japanese and Western languages, including bibliographic tools, style sheets, and library resources. Overview of secondary sources and publication outlets/methods of disseminating research.
JPNS 5210 - Classical Prose Literature
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2022
Examines selected prose works and authors from the Classical, or Heian, period (784-1185). Texts may include selections from diaries, tale literature, and zuihitsu such as Izumi Shikibu Nikki, Genji Monogatari, and Makura no Soshi. Texts and selections vary from year to year. May be repeated up to 6 total credit hours. Knowledge of Classical Japanese at the level of JPNS 4320 is required.
JPNS 5270 - Readings in Sino-Japanese Texts
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2026
Provides a foundation in glossing (kundoku), interpreting, and translating of Sino-Japanese (kanbun) texts. Cultivates a general understanding of practices surrounding the reading and writing of kanbun in various periods and examines unique elements of kanbun texts as produced within Japan. Recommended prerequisite: JPNS 5310 or equivalent.
JPNS 5280 - Topics in Classical Japanese Literature
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2020 / Spring 2023
Studies a specific problem or issue in classical (eighth through twelfth century) Japanese literature, e.g., the development of specifically Japanese theories of literature or the concept of genre in the Japanese tradition. Topics vary from year to year. May be repeated up to 6 total credit hours.
JPNS 5310 - Advanced Classical Japanese 1
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2022 / Fall 2024 / Fall 2025
Focuses on stylistic, grammatical, and orthographic variations in texts of the classical, medieval, and early modern eras. Knowledge of Classical Japanese at the level of JPNS 4310 is required.
JPNS 5320 - Advanced Classical Japanese 2
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2020
Advanced analysis of stylistic, grammatical, and orthographic variations in texts of the classical, medieval, and early modern eras, including kanbun and hentaigana; translation and explication of texts.
KREN 3611 - Speaking the Truth: Women's Counter-narratives of Korea and Japan
Primary Instructor
-
Fall 2024
Explores the rich history of women�s writing in premodern Japan and Korea, focusing on works produced by and for women in vernacular scripts (kana and han'gul) during the Heian (794-1185), Kamakura (1185-1333), and Choson (1392-1910) periods. Topics covered include the textual construction and subversion of idealized femininity, the representation of women's real lived experiences, and the subjective nature of historical truth. Same as JPNS 3611.
